Volunteer Newsletter February

More of Oxford’s History Revealed- Two Clements, a Toll House and a Fountain

A Call Out

Interested in Contributing to MoOFs or the Newsletter?

Firstly, we would like to offer huge congratulations to Peter Simpson on his award! On February 4th, Peter, a long-time volunteer at the Museum of Oxford and author of Mayor’s Chair, received an Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Individual Volunteer Award. This award is given to celebrate and highlight a particular volunteer’s commitment to service as well as their energy and passion. It also recognises how their work has benefited a service, organisation or community. Peter has done exceptionally well to win this and everyone at the Museum of Oxford is proud of his achievement. As a follow up to this, next month’s Mayor’s Chair will be taken on by Peter, himself.

Welcome to the latest edition of the Volunteers’ Newsletter. This is a lighter issue going forward into the year, most likely needed after all the excitement of Christmas and New Year. In this edition, we have a member of our volunteer and newsletter team to congratulate and we learn more about the history of Oxford, namely the development of the Plain and St. Clements. Allison Barnes is in the Mayor’s Chair this month and there are also some exciting events to take part in!

Email [email protected] to find out more

Page 2

Page 5

Page 3

Page 4

February 2015Volunteer

Mayor’s Chair

What’s On?

Welcome

Newsletter

A Congrats is in Order!

Exclusive   story   of   Allison  Barnes.

Join us for the excit ing ce lebra t ion o f our 40th anniversary  celebra6ons!  

More of Oxford’s History Revealed - Two Clements, a Toll House and a Fountain

2

The Plain acquired its name when St Clement’s Church was removed from this site, leaving a wide open expanse surrounded by buildings. On the right of this picture is Magdalen College School, built by Sir Arthur Blomfield in 1894; straight ahead is the Cape of Good Hope pub, rebuilt in 1892; and on the left is the Victoria Fountain, built in 1899 on the site of the former St Clement’s toll house. Designed by E.P. Warren and paid for by G.H. Morrell, it was a belated commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria that had taken place in 1897, and

The parish of St Clement’s, at the point where the roads into Oxford converge to cross Magdalen Bridge, lay outside the city of Oxford until 1835. The parish dates from Anglo-Saxon times, referred to in Ethelred’s charter 1004 AD as ‘ the three h ides beyond Cherwe l l Bridge’ (approximately 360 acres). The medieval manor stretched from the bridge southwards along the Cherwell eastwards to the top of Headington Hill and south to Cowley, roughly following the line of today’s Cowley Road. The original church of St Clement stood in the centre of the medieval village on the Plain from some time before 1122AD, originally founded as a royal chapel. By 1829 when this church was demolished and a new St Clement’s built nearby (see below), the open area surrounded by buildings became known as The Plain, the name it retains today.

Until the 17th century the settlement was known as BRUGGESET (Bridge-set), indicating the site of the important river crossing which gave access to the city from the capital. The settlement was known as Bolshipton, farmed by the Bolles family from the thirteenth century, and their cow bier (shippon) probably occupied the site opposite the Black Horse Inn. From 1642, a substantial number of properties in the area, including the family house, Bolshipton House, were demolished to make way for the civil war fortifications. From this time the area expanded rapidly as traders and craftsmen settled outside the city boundary thus avoiding the expensive city taxes.

From this time poverty as well as high population became features of St Clement’s as closely-packed tenement houses in Oxford were demolished and the homeless sought refuge in the less expensive suburb. A cramped network of narrow streets and courts developed between St Clement’s and the river, which by 1800 contained four hundred inhabitants, by 1824, two thousand, and continued to increase from then on. Facilities were non-existent; pumped water was only installed after a severe cholera epidemic in 1832 and mains drainage followed in 1854 after the parish had been annexed to the city in 1835.

The increasingly-used highway to London had become virtually impassable by this time, due to its inadequate maintenance by the impoverished St Clement’s parishioners. As a solution to this, a turnpike was set up on the Plain by the Turnpike Trust, established c1771, which guaranteed the upkeep of major roads. The toll house stood in front of the churchyard of St Clement’s Church

and tolls levied for use of the road. There was a left hand gate controlling the traffic to Headington, and a right-hand one for the traffic to Cowley and Iffley. The new St Clement’s Church was built on land in Nacklingcroft Meadow, the first church in Oxford to be built on an entirely new site since the Reformation. The church, designed by Daniel Robertson, is an interesting example of an abortive Romanesque revival, inspired, it is said, by Iffley’s church. Although its setting was universally admired, the building itself did not appeal to contemporary taste; it was called 'the boiled rabbit'. The new church was built at a cost of £6,500 raised mainly by public subscription. The project aroused widespread interest in the university as 'the first church in Oxford to be built on a new site since the Reformation'. Keble, Pusey, Heber, and Peel were among the subscribers.

In 1868, with the Turnpike Trust’s abolition, the toll house was closed. Its installation had not been popular locally, with regular toll evasion occurring, and, in 1869 it was sold to Mr Fruin of Toot Baldon who dismantled and removed it; no information survives on whether or not it was re-erected after the sale. The Victoria Fountain and its accompanying ornate Jubilee Clock marking Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, now stands in the centre of the Plain on the site of the toll house. Its design, commissioned by the Morrell family, incorporates a fountain that doubled as a horse trough (its water not now running) and has an inscription (translated from Latin), situated under the clock face: ‘The water falls, the hour goes by, be wise and drink, seize the swift-flying time.’

Dating from 1122, it was described by Thomas Hearne as “a very pretty little church”. It was not big enough for the increasing population of St Clement’s, however, and in 1828 it was demolished and a new church built on Hacklingcroft Meadow on the Marston Road. The three bells from this old church (one dating from the thirteenth century and the oldest bell in Oxford) were taken to the new church. Its old churchyard disappeared when the Plain roundabout was constructed in 1950.The toll gate on the left marks the start of the new London turnpike road, which was created in the late eighteenth century when the existing road (which previously stopped short at the top of Headington Hill) was turnpiked.

The postcard below shows a coloured drawing of the toll gate and the original St Clement’s Church which stood where the Plain roundabout is now.

Prue Drew

3

is very important to Allison, instilled into her by her policeman father. Allison joined ATL – the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and has been a local branch officer and school rep for 19 years looking after the rights of teachers and their support staff.

A f t e r 2 ye a r s t e a c h i n g i n Hertfordshire Allison then spent 7 years teaching in Abingdon. During this period, she took on a national role with ATL, becoming the Nat iona l Execut ive member representing the whole of its Oxfordshire members, and has recently increased to include Buckinghamshire as well.

Last year Allison retired from teaching after 23 years in the profession and is now looking to start a new and exciting journey by making a career in museums and museum learning. In order to get experience in this field she joined the Museum of Oxford as a volunteer as well as joining the University of Oxford Museums & Collections Volunteer Service and is attending training with them in their HLF S k i l l s f o r t h e Fu t u re

programme. Allison has been going to many interviews recently so will probably soon be seen working in a museum near you.

At a recent interview Allison was given 30 seconds to explain all about Lalique (fine moulded French glass objects) of which she is an avid col lector having at home a collection of over a hundred pieces. Allison also collects fashion dolls as well as Art Deco objects. Her home, she says, has become a museum on its own and she is the curator.As well as working in Explore Oxford, Allison is also the treasurer of the newly forming MoOFs (Museum of Oxford Friends).

Allison and her husband live in Headington and if you are passing through the area and hear a beautiful sound then it is probably Allison on her trumpet which she plays for both the Oxford Studio Orchestra and the Cowley Orchestra.

exclusive story

In the Mayor’s chairAllison BarnesAs a folly hunter Allison has travelled the UK and beyond in search of buildings that have no purpose but were built purely for pleasure.

Being born in Canterbury, Allison is a Maid of Kent and she grew up and went to school in the county. After ‘A’ levels Allison went to Cambridge’s Anglia Ruskin College to study a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Physics.

After returning to Kent she went to Christ Church College, Canterbury to be trained to become a teacher. Allison taught for two years in a local secondary school before returning to the University of Kent to do a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology. It was then back into teaching in the early 90’s and for the next 14 years, Allison taught Science and Maths in two more secondary modern schools in Kent.

Then came the Union. Trade Unionism

Peter Simpson

4

What’s On?

At the Museum

2015 Dancin’ Oxford Festival27th  Feb  –  9th  March

The  Museum  of   Oxford  and  Town  Hall  are  collabora6ng  with  this  year’s  Dance  Fes6val.   Dancin’   Oxford   brings   you   a  fes6val   programme   which   not   only  includes   a   host   of   performances   but  plenty   of   opportuni6es   to   take   part.  Research   has   shown   that   dance   and  physical   ac6vity   energise   not   only   the  body  but  also  the  mind,  so  to  make  sure  you   can   get   involved,   we   have   put  

together   a  programme   that   comprises  workshops   in   the   morning,   at   lunch  6me   and   at   the   end   of   the   day.  Whether   a   complete   beginner   or   keen  dance   enthus iast ,   why   not   t ry  something   different?   Go   on   -­‐   #DOit!  Pick   up   a   fes6val   brochure   or   go   to  www.dancinoxford.co.uk

While They’re Away: The Story of a city at war12th  –  14th  March,  £5/£4  concessions,  7:30pm  on  12th  &  13th,  2:30pm  &  7:30pm  on  

14th,  The  Old  Museum  

This  new  play  by  Jeremy  Allen  is  based  on  real-­‐life  accounts  of  ‘the  home  front’  in  Oxford  during  the  First  World  War.  It  gives   the   audience   a   new   perspec6ve  on   the   role   Oxford   played,   and  vividly  brings   to   life   the   experiences   of   local  p eop l e ,   many   o f   whom   we r e  permanently   changed   by   the   ‘Great  War’.   Jeremy   Allen   drew   his   material  from  his  work  with  local  residents  and  archive  material  and  among   the  beRer  known   characters   encountered   are  Siegfried   Sassoon   and   Lady   ORoline  Morrell.   The   role   of   many   of   Oxford’s  

iconic   buildings   is   also   revealed   –   all  playing  their  part  in  the  greater  drama.  The  play  is  being  staged  at  Oxford  Town  Hall  which  was  used  as  a  WWI  military  hospital.

An   UnderCons t ruc6on   Theat re  produc6on   in   partnership   with   the  Museum  of   Oxford.  Created  as  part  of  the  Lost  Voices  of  Oxford’s  Great  War,  a  community  project  to  uncover  the  city’s  untold   First   World   War   stories.  Generously   funded   by   the   Heritage  LoRery.

Book your ticket now! (all MoO volunteers are entitled to the £4 concessionary rate and all proceeds go towards Museum of Oxford development)Ticket  office:  01865  305305Or  buy  online  at  www.oxfordplayhouse.com/6cketsoxfordOr  in  person  at  the  Oxford  Playhouse  Box  Office

Elsewhere

City of Oxford Orchestra’s 50th Birthday ConcertFriday  27th  February,  £32/£23/£15/£10,  7:30pm  –  9:00pm,  Sheldonian  Theatre

Come  along  and  celebrate  with  them!  Experience  a  marvellous  concert,  featuring  Roland  Roberts,  Peter  Adams  and  Stephan  Bell.

Oxford Literary Festival22nd  –  29th  March,  Various  LocaHons

Oxford’s   Literary   Fes6val   boasts   a  huge  variety   of   events  and  ac6vi6es  for   everyone,   along   with   a   hoast  of  famous   names   giving   talks   and  interviews.   Some   of   the   names  include   Johnny   Duddle,   illustrator  of  the   new   set   of   Harry   PoKer   book  Jackets,  Mary  Hoffman,  author  of  the  

Stravaganza   series   and   Bill   Oddie,  author,   actor,   comedian   and   bird-­‐watcher.  

Go   to   www.oxfordliteraryfes6val.org  for   more   informa6on   about   6ckets  and  events.

Contributors: Pure Drew, Peter Simpson, Felicity Hammond, Antonia Harland-Lang

Art Editor: Yi Wu Editor: Felicity Hammond

5

Could you help

support a compelling

new play which

brings Oxford’s

WW1 history to life?

Over the past few months, the Museum of Oxford has been

working on an exciting project with the UnderConstruction

Theatre Company as well as some local people, to uncover

Oxford’s First World War stories. Following a series of creative

community workshops last autumn, in which a number of MoO

volunteers took part, local playwright Jeremy Allen has written

an original play which will be performed in the Old Museum,

12-14 March 2015.

We are looking for volunteers to help welcome audience

members to the performances, take tickets and help out with

the bar during the interval. Ideally, volunteers will be able to

commit to 2 performances and attend a short briefing with the

stage manager on Wednesday 11 March or Thursday 12 March

(time tbc).

There is also the opportunity to get involved in setting up a

small display which will accompany the performance and to

help out sourcing additional props and materials.

Please contact Antonia ([email protected] or 01865

252118) by Friday 20 February if you would like to help out.

Thank you very much to volunteers who have already

contacted me about this – I will be in touch soon!

And please do spread the word about the play!

WW1 Workshop