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Celebrating Oxford’s Heritage and Imagination
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…
Belonging in the Sunshine – Art in the Park, Milton Keynes
On what turned out to be the hottest day of the year – with just a few tiny spots of rain to keep us on our toes – I crossed the county boundary into Buckinghamshire to spend the afternoon at Art in the Park, the vibrant celebration of Islamic arts, heritage and culture held in…
Honouring Service and Community at Armed Forces Day in Bicester
This morning’s Armed Forces Day flag raising in Garth Park, Bicester, was a moving and meaningful moment—quietly dignified, and all the more powerful for it. The ceremony brought people together in recognition of the men and women who serve our country, often far from home and in challenging circumstances. His Majesty The King was formally…
From Duty to Difference: How Volunteering Has Changed Across the Generations
From Baby Boomers to Generation Alpha: changing expectations, changing communities and the future of volunteering in Britain I have been volunteering for more than fifty years. My earliest experiences were not particularly glamorous. As a young Scout, I spent cold, wet afternoons clearing rubbish from the Stroudwater Navigation. At fourteen, I visited an old people’s…
Civic Service at St Mary’s, Thame
It was a real pleasure to be in Thame this afternoon for the Mayor’s Civic Service at St Mary’s Church – a beautiful, uplifting occasion that perfectly captured the spirit of civic life in Oxfordshire. Many thanks to Andy Gilbert for the kind invitation. It was lovely to see Bernard and Sarah Taylor (Sarah, of…
