Speaker: Liz Woolley Rose Hill is generally known as a 20th-century outer suburb of Oxford, yet the area was first settled in the Early Iron Age. Liz tells us about the area’s long history, its maze of narrow lanes, Oxford’s earliest surviving Methodist chapel and the housing developments of the 1930s. Liz is a local historian […]

Speaker: Melanie King Tea, coffee and chocolate play an important part in the modern British diet. Yet all three caused anxiety and debate when they arrived in London in the 1650s. Melanie explains why Europeans were at first so terrified of these drinks and describes some of ways they were consumed in the 18th century. […]

Simon describes the importance of the Morris Motor Works founded by William Morris (Lord Nuffield) and the massive impact on the city of Oxford during the interwar period as his business became the largest British car producer at that time. Simon is a member of the part-time tutor panel of Oxford University’s Continuing Education Department, where […]

Speaker: Sharron Jenkinson In her talk, Sharron draws on research for her book about the history of the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir written to celebrate its 90th anniversary. The talk goes significantly beyond just the choir in discussing the social history behind its formation in 1928 and its links to the Morris works at […]

Speaker: Bob Evans Almost all of us walk or have used footpaths. Their current state and status reflects their usage in the past and the changing values we have set upon them. Bob examines the when, how and why of our rights of way, with special reference to the Abingdon area. Bob lives in Sunningwell […]