Oxford Lives

In today's episode of Oxford Lives, we interview publisher and historian Tony Morris. Tony's most recent books are  Buddhism by Numbers  and  The Morris Oxford Mini-History of Oxford . Tony has produced a groundbreaking blogsite: Morris Oxford , an extremely accessible, easy-on-the-eye guide to our ever-rewarding city, packed with beautiful photographs and fascinating revelations. If this doesn't...

Today's guest is Peter Tickler, an established writer of crime fiction, mostly set in and around Oxford and Oxfordshire. Peter has been much praised for the authenticity in his literary depictions of Oxford and for his nuanced characters. Having worked in the IT dept of the Potato Marketing Board in Between Towns Road, Peter would often look down onto the carpark of neighbouring Cowley police stat...

In this special episode of Oxford Lives we interview one of the city's first families: the Fryers. Phil and Pete Fryer have been at the forefront of the Oxford music scene for over fifty years, both as performers and promoters. But their story really starts when their father Bobby (born Robert Freisinger) fled his native Austria in 1938, taking the Kindertransport to Great Britain. After a stint w...

Today's guest is Rosanne Bostock*. Rosanne is founder of OxClean – an Oxford Civic Society initiative dedicated to keeping Oxford clean and tidy. We recently came across a letter written by Rosanne to The Spectator , lamenting the state of the city. Intrigued, we contacted this formidable campaigner, who proved only too happy to talk to us. The subsequent conversation presented a fascinating portr...

Today we turn to our favourite subject: pubs. Specifically, Oxford pubs. And who better to guide us through the heady world of our city's glorious boozers than CAMRA's very own Dave Richardson. As well as editing the campaign's official magazine and newsletter for the city ( The Oxford Drinker ), Dave has also written an indispensable guide to the plethora of inns and taverns on our doorstep. And,...

Today's guest is writer, journalist, educator, tour guide, musician, political warrior Dan Glazebrook. Dan has contributed many articles to a diverse range of newspapers and online platforms, including The Independent, The Guardian, Asia Times and Middle East Eye. His journalism is informed by a commitment to political activism and reinforced by a Master's degree in International Relations. He lat...

In today's episode of  Oxford Lives we talk with Senior Advisor to the Oxford Martin School's AI initiative, Mark Robinson . Mark has a long history in technology procurement and science diplomacy. His mission now is to research and disseminate ways and means by which governments and big tech can come together to monitor the progress of the world's most rapidly evolving technology and preempt any...

Today's episode features David Taylor, Chairman of Didcot and District Archaelogical and Historical Society. This year marks the society's 50th anniversary and David has been involved for many years. In what turns out to be a fairly cosy and relaxed conversation, David tells us about his time growing up in Kennington, his career as a mechanical engineer helping build MRI body scanners, his love of...

You may have been intrigued by the Friars who wander around the city centre in white habits. If you happen to know they are called Blackfriars, you may be puzzled. If you're aware of the Blackfriars Priory as a place of worship and/or a part of the University, you may be plain baffled as to how those two sides fit together. Here to explain all, and to tell us how he fits into all this, is Dominica...

In this very special episode of Oxford Lives we are lucky enough to be able to interview The Right Honourable Dame Anneliese Dodds. Anneliese has been kind enought to take time out of her busy schedule (you'll hear all about that!) to talk about her life in Oxford: as a student, resident, and MP for Oxford East. We also touch on Anneliese's time as an MEP for South East England during a tumultuous...

Today's guest is freelance writer, author and campaigner, Sylvia Vetta. Sylvia began writing features on antiques for The Oxford Times . She soon went on to cover art, history and science-related events. This led to her long-running profile series, Oxford Castaways, set on the mythical island of Oxtopia. Sylvia has a lifelong passion for China. Her extensive interviews with Stars Art movement foun...

In this latest episode of Oxford Lives we interview documentary photographer, writer, and sustainability campaigner, Martin Stott. Martin has contributed photographs to a huge range of publications, broadcast media and agencies and his lens has taken him all around the world from Bhopal to Iceland to Nicaragua. His latest photobook Bartlemas: Oxford's Hidden Sanctuary is out now. Links: https://ma...

We enjoyed the Nick Gill performances on the previous podcast, we thought we'd give you a little but extra. So here it is - enjoy!

Today's guest is jazz pianist, musicologist and entertainer, Nick Gill. A huge figure on the Oxford music scene, Nick specialises in pre-war jazz styles from "Fats" Waller to Billie Holiday via the Great American Songbook. Later this month, Nick will be presenting The Life and Works of Billie Holiday at Florence Park Community Centre, a personal tribute to the first lady of jazz. In this lively in...

Today's guest is Simon Horobin – philologist, author, and Professor of English Language and Literature and Tutorial Fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford.  Simon has just written a fascinating account of CS Lewis's life in Oxford. From undergraduate days at University College to his 29-year tutorial stint at Magdalen, not to mention his many boozy hours spent in the company of the Inklings at the Eag...

In this second part of our pub special with Jeremy Smith, we embark upon a virtual pub tour of East Oxford, starting at the Plain and ending in Florence Park. On our wobbly journey, we encounter ghost pubs, insurance scams, and even a murder. And if you think you can cope with that, we've even thrown in a Wetherspoons. We apologise for the sound in advance - we didn't quite get as good a recording...

In this second collaboration with Curious Minds, we embark upon the first of two virtual pub tours around the city with podcast regular, Jeremy Smith. In Part One we explore the City Centre's numerous drinking dens, both past and present. In the second half we return to cut a boozy path through the oft overlooked delights of East Oxford. Expect ale anecdotes galore, quirky historical facts and the...

Part Two of our special edition  Oxford Lives  collaboration with  Curious Minds: Murder They Wrote.  This panel discussion features many of Oxford's top crime writers: Colin Wade ( Murder at the Manor, The Devil's Code),  Jacquii John  (Matilda's Magical Tails, Evie the Brave and her Sidekick Cleo  co-written with Paul Blake) Jake Lynch ( Blood on the Stone),  and Annabel McGoldrick  (Mind Over M...

In this special edition of Oxford Lives we team up with Curious Minds for a panel discussion on the subject of Murder Mysteries . The discussion features many of Oxford's top crime writers: Colin Wade (Murder at the Manor, The Devil's Code), Steve Lunn (The Price of Doormice), Jaquii John (Matilda's Magical Tails, Evie the Brave and her Sidekick Cleo co-written with Paul Blake), Jake Lynch (Blood...

Today's guest is journalist, academic, novelist, and poet, Jake Lynch. In a varied career, Jake has been Sydney Correspondent for  The Independent, Political Correspondent for Sky News,  and BBC World Television newsreader. He is also a leading advocate for Peace Journalism, recently winning the Luxembourg Peace Prize. His two novels are both whodunnits: Blood on the Stone,  set in 17th century Ox...

Today we talk to archivist for the Oxford Welsh Male Voice, Sharron Jenkinson. It's a fascinating story of talent, tradition, and brotherhood, borne out of Welsh migration to the city in the Great Depression. The Choir is still going strong to this day and will shortly be celebrating its centenary. We also talk to Sharron about her life as an historian, teacher, schools' manager and the range of f...

Today's episode of Oxford Lives feateres writer, poet, storyteller, historian and social anthropologist, JC Niala. With a career spanning cities and continents, JC NIala has a vast experience in multiple art forms and specialises in cultural preservation. JC currently serves as the Head of Research, Teaching, and collections at the History of Science Museum, University of Oxford.  Links: Oxford Ma...

Today's guest is Danny Dorling, Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography at the School of Geography and the Environment, here at the University of Oxford. Danny has published (with colleagues) more than a dozen books on social inequalities in Britain and several hundred journal papers. His work concerns issues of housing, health, employment, education and poverty.  Danny is currently attached to S...

In the latest edition of Oxford Lives we  interview  Dr  Jim   Holt , retired consultant physician and former Director of Studies at Oxford Medical School. Dr  Holt  has spent most of his professional life in Oxford and has seen vast changes in medical practice. On the eve of his ninetieth birthday, Dr  Holt reflects on his long and varied career and provides some forthright opinions on government...

In this Episode of Oxford LIves we talk to writer, tour guide and wine aficionado, Marcus Rees. In a packed interview, we cover Marcus's student days at Jesus college, his early trips to French vineyards, and discuss his latest book  Oxfordshire Uncorked - A guide to the vineyards of Oxfordshire and North Cotswolds.  As well as giving us a whirlwind tutorial in how to develop one's palate, Marcus...