OPT remembers Her Majesty the Queen at Oxford Castle

OPT was saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen. In order to show our respect and to honour the Queen’s contribution to our city’s heritage, the Trustees have agreed that Oxford Open Doors should go ahead this weekend. Oxford Open Doors will be a more subdued affair and some venues have been caused to cancel so please do check our website, or come and see us at our hub which will now be positioned at Oxford Castle. 

Over the weekend any donations will go towards the OPT Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Project which is still open as we look to raise the remaining funds that have enabled us to purchase the Larkins Lane Field and for our future plans to improve its environment and biodiversity, and to plant some trees as part of the Queens Green Canopy. There will also be books of condolence for members of the University at the Weston Library, and for others at County Hall so that anyone wishing to can pay their respects.

We were privileged that the Queen came to open the Castle in 2006 and below Debbie shares some of her memories of that day. 

People jostled for position to catch a glimpse of the Monarch as her car arrived at the entrance to the Castle met by the Lord Lieutenant, then (Sir) Hugo Brunner in the bright blue skies of 5 May 2006. We waited around the corner at the entrance to the Castle yard, where Oxford Preservation Trust had been allowed to invite our own guests, architect, designer, builders and their families, brought together to thank them for their part in making the project happen, and now hardly recognisable in their Sunday best.  Looking back, I realise that I had not thought through how profound it would feel to meet Her Majesty the Queen with her direct link to my school history textbooks on the English Kings & Queens of England of the past. I can only wonder then at how this can later have translated to my memories of a relaxed and delightful conversation with someone open, interested and well-informed, and all very much at ease.  I have always hoped that this is one of the very many duties the Queen undertook that stayed in her memory and that she had enjoyed. The Queen’s visit has certainly added much to the richness of this special place and to the lives of many people. Her death is a poignant reminder of how privileged I have been to have met and talked with her. 

Kind Regards,

The Oxford Preservation Trust Team