Walking into the Life and Mind Building yesterday afternoon, I had that rare sense of arriving somewhere that really will change things. Rising up between the University Parks, the science area and the city, the new building feels at once vast and surprisingly human. Its soft stone façade, patterned with that extraordinary “brainwave” motif captured…
Today’s Road Death Memorial Service at St Mary the Virgin Church in Thame was one of the most moving gatherings I have attended in my shrieval year. Organised with great care by Thames Valley Police, it brought together families, friends, members of the emergency services and those who support them, all united in remembrance of…
I was delighted to join colleagues at Monkey Island today for our mid-year gathering – always a highlight of the Shrieval calendar. Although I had to slip away after the first course to reach an afternoon engagement, the time I spent with the group was enormously worthwhile. Pippa and Sean offered thoughtful and energising mid-year…
Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards at St John’s College – one of those evenings when you are reminded just how special this city is, both in its deep heritage and in its restless creativity. It is very easy in blogs like this to open with the familiar…
Yesterday morning, Mark and I travelled to the remarkable site of Bisley Camp to visit the training centre of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. Having already visited their head office at Culham a few weeks ago, it was fascinating to complete the picture and see where so much of their specialist preparation takes place. I had…
It’s something of a cliché among bloggers to begin by saying what an honour and a privilege it was to attend an event. But today – standing shoulder to shoulder with the civic and religious leaders of Oxford on the Remembrance Parade in St Giles – it truly was. Hundreds of people lined the streets…
Tonight marked a very special occasion at King Alfred District Scout HQ, where we gathered to celebrate the achievements of this year’s challengers in the Stuart Rae Challenge. It was a wonderful evening of warmth and community, complete with excellent tea and cake, and it was particularly good to see Iain Cameron, the Mayor of…
This morning, staff and students gathered together at City of Oxford College to mark Remembrance. The atmosphere was one of solemnity, yet beneath that stillness there was a current of hope — a reminder that remembering is not simply about mourning, but about learning, looking forward, and working for peace. The turnout of young people…
Tuesday evening took me to Abingdon, where I joined the 11th Abingdon Squirrels to celebrate their very first birthday. For those who haven’t yet met a Squirrel, they’re the youngest members of the Scout family – four- to six-year-olds taking their first steps in early years Scouting. Introduced nationally in 2021, Squirrels are all about…
Yesterday afternoon, I had the great pleasure of joining members of the Oxfordshire Record Society for their Annual General Meeting and lecture, held in the Officers’ Mess at RAF Benson. As one of the Society’s Vice Presidents, it was a real joy to be among people who share my fascination with local history — those…
