Aung San Suu Kyi at Encaenia 2012

TonyOX3

Each year on the Wednesday after the end of Trinity Term the Chancellor and dignitaries of the University of Oxford gather in the ceremony of Encaenia to award honorary degrees to a small number of worthy recipients. You can read about the history of the ceremony here. I went down to watch, not least because one of the people receiving an honorary degree was the Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

It’s a colourful ceremony as full academic dress is worn. The dignitaries, guests and honorands gather in one of the colleges – Exeter this year – for peaches, strawberries and champagne (thanks to a bequest from Lord Crewe) before walking in procession to the Sheldonian Theatre for the formalities and speeches.

There were plenty of people gathered at my vantage point where Brasenose Lane joins Radcliffe Square, with bigger crowds and TV crews in Broad Street. The woman in front of me had a birthday card for Aung San Suu Kyi and was delighted when Daw Suu accepted it personally. I took few photos of the procession and a short video without Aung San Suu Kyi unfortunately but showing the main part of the procession. The University’s account of the day is here.

Headington Headlines #65

TonyOX3

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 11 – 17 June —

An exceptionally wet day on Monday caused flooding in several areas, including the main cross-roads in the centre of Headington. @HeadingtonNews took a picture.

Thames Water has lifted the hosepipe ban, though the state of drought is still technically in force and the company is still encouraging everyone to be frugal in their use of water.

Dr Jenny Shute, who practices at Bury Knowle Surgery and King Edward Street Surgery, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for her services to British skiing after 20 years of work for the sport.

The City Council has been deliberating over the future of the Old Marston Conservation Area and its conclusions are due soon. Several threats to the area have been identified and residents are actively participating in the discussions. @TheOxfordMail has a report.

New fencing for the Sandfield Road play area is being installed.

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Begging outside Budgens/Greggs
  • Arriva 280 bus from Headington to City centre
  • Lack of seating in Bury Knowle Park
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.

Headington Headlines #64

TonyOX3

Back again, and here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 4 – 10 June —

The weekend saw Diamond Jubilee celebrations in parts of Headington. @headingtonnews captured two street parties in pictures. Sandfield/Staunton roads | Highfield and New Headington

I reported in Headington Headlines 62 that McDonalds franchisee Carl Room had won an award for his charity work supporting Ronald McDonald House in the JR Hospital. The charity ovides accommodation for parents whose children are having treatment in the hospital. After delays due to holidays I now have some more information in the form of this press release which describes Carl’s involvement and recognition more fully.

If you want to go to the Olympic Torch Relay celebrations in South Park on Monday 9 July you have to get a free ticket. Instructions and links here. Only available to Oxford City residents (which seems to mean people with a residential address/postcode paying Council Tax to Oxford City).

Inadequate and misleading road markings for cycle routes in Old Road were criticised in the press.

Warneford Meadow, a town green owned by the NHS, is up for sale. Local groups have until 23 July to express an interest otherwise it will go on the open market.

Friday’s high winds brought down a large branch of a tree in Bury Knowle Park onto the pavement on the London Road, and the Pickwick’s Guest House sign also on the London Road.

The Planning Inspector who will hear the West Barton development plans held a public meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday to explain how the hearing will be conducted.

Six gardens in Old Headington including The Coach House and White Lodge opened on Sunday as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

The Kennett Road dental practice has a new website.

Martin Young wants his firearms licence back.

My favorite Headington-related tweet this week:

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Olympic event in South Park, Monday 9 July
  • Warneford Meadow, Oxford – Notice of Intention to Dispose
  • Headington’s Mr Chocolate celebrates four years of success!
  • Arriva 280 bus from Headington to City centre
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.