The cats of Oxford: a short history of those actually in charge
Literary mysteries, college rivalries and improbable journeys: exploring Oxford’s cats in preparation for a Cats Protection talk.
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The Difference People Make
Tonight I was invited to represent the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy as guest speaker at Oxfordshire Scouting’s recognition evening for adult volunteers. Here’s what I said: It’s lovely to be here tonight, amongst friends and fellow members of the Scouting family, celebrating some truly remarkable contributions to young people across Oxfordshire. I’m here as a Deputy Lieutenant,…
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Picnics, Pinot and a Partial Eclipse.
“Let’s go to Wittenham Clumps,” suggested Mark. He was right. If you are going to watch the most significant solar eclipse visible from Britain for more than 25 years, there can be few better places than one of Oxfordshire’s most familiar landmarks, looking out across the county from a hilltop that people have been climbing…
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Local government is changing. What might that mean for youth work?
Local government reorganisation is, by its nature, a conversation that can very quickly become dominated by structures. Which councils will exist? Where will the boundaries fall? Who will be responsible for what? How will services transfer? What will the new governance arrangements look like? All of those questions matter enormously. Here in Oxfordshire and West…
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Civil Society | Leadership | Oxfordshire | Personal | Travel | Volunteering | Young People
A love letter to Scouting
Buckle up. This is an essay, rather than a short read… The Scarf Every year on 1 August I open a drawer containing rather more Scout scarves than any sensible person ought to own and spend a few moments deciding which one to wear. It is never quite as straightforward a decision as it sounds….
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In Praise of Old-Fashioned Volunteering
Walking around the Leys Festival in Blackbird Leys at the weekend, I was struck by just how much society depends upon volunteers. The festival itself was created through a partnership between local residents and the University of Oxford’s Cultural Programme, bringing together community organisations, performers, sports coaches, artists and many others for a day devoted…
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Rejecting a False Choice
I don’t often write directly about local political issues. When I do, I think it is important to be clear that these are my own personal reflections as an Oxfordshire resident. They do not represent the views of any organisation I lead or support, nor of any of the civic offices I am privileged to…
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Roaring On
There is something rather wonderful about the end of term. Schools empty. Teachers exhale. Parents begin wondering how many days it will be before someone announces they’re bored. And youth organisations across the country somehow summon the energy for one last concert, performance or celebration before everyone disappears for the summer. Those who know me…
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World Ready, Not World Finished
There is always a particular energy about a school at the end of term. It is not exactly calm. It is not exactly chaos. It is somewhere between the two, with a faint scent of exhaustion, excitement and impending freedom in the air. So when I was invited to speak to the girls of Downe…
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Celebrating Service at Armed Forces Day in Bicester
Standing Together: It was a pleasure to represent the Lord-Lieutenant at this year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations in Bicester. These occasions are always uplifting. They bring together serving personnel, veterans, cadet organisations, charities, local communities and families in a shared recognition of those who serve our country. They are not simply military events; they are…
