The speaker on 10 March 2025 was Maurice East, who specialises in researching lesser-known stories about Oxford and leads walking tours around the city.

Oxford’s journey from a walled city in 1096 to a rapidly expanding urban center was gradual until the early 20th century. The establishment of the University in the medieval period shaped its character, but the city remained relatively calm until William Morris founded his motor factory in Cowley. This industrial development in the east created a distinct ‘Motopolis’, contrasting with the historic ‘Christminster’ in the west, and led to the expansion of residential areas like Blackbird Leys beyond the traditional boundaries. 

Post-World War I, Oxford’s transport system, reliant on horse-drawn trams and stagecoaches, was ill-equipped for the burgeoning car ownership. Recognising the need for urban planning, Lawrence Dale proposed a relief road in his 1944 book, Towards a Plan for Oxford City, suggesting a route along Broad Walk outside Christ Church College. 

Formal town planning gained momentum after World War II, with the 1953 City of Oxford plan acknowledging the potential benefits of a relief road to alleviate traffic congestion in the historic centre. However, the proposal to build this road through Christchurch Meadow sparked significant opposition from the University and the public, elevating it to a major point of contention, even reaching the government’s cabinet. 

Ultimately, Oxford adopted a ‘Balanced Transport Policy’ that prioritised sustainable transportation methods. This shift in focus led to the abandonment of the controversial Christchurch Meadow relief road plan, consigning it to history.

On 10th February, we welcomed Bill King – supported by his wife Flora – for a talk about the Oxford to Pangbourne section of the Thames Path. Over several years Bill and Flora walked some 150 miles of the Thames Path in stages from the river’s source in the Cotswolds to where the river becomes tidal at Teddington Lock in north-west London.

Bridges, locks and pubs are key elements of the walk and Bill showed photographs of many of them. Bill and Flora chose to begin their walk along the Oxford to Pangbourne stretch at King’s Lock north of Oxford, near to where Duke’s Cut connects the River Thames to the Oxford Canal. Their route took them through Oxford and then past Radley and Nuneham Courtenay to Abingdon, Culham, Sutton Courtenay, Clifton Hampden, Wittenham Clumps, Dorchester, Shillingford, Benson, Wallingford, Streatley and Goring, Whitchurch and into Pangbourne.

Between Oxford and Pangbourne the route of the Thames Path changes from one side of the river to the other a number of times. Apart from one short deviation, the Path runs alongside the riverbank all the way. Various signposts and waymarkers keep you posted on the direction and distance to key points on the route.

Bill and Flora took the opportunity to wander off the Path at different places to visit churchyards with the graves of famous people such as J.J.R. Tolkien, Kenneth Grahame, Eric Arthur Blair (aka George Orwell), Herbert Asquith and Lady Mallowan (aka Agatha Christie). They also spotted several Blue Plaques on the walls of buildings along the way.

Visit the National Trails website to learn more about the Thames Path.