Speaker: Emily Greig Oxford’s population grew rapidly in the second half of the 19th century as streets of densely packed terrace houses were built on the fields of east Oxford. Emily describes how the Oxford City Mission in Cowley sought to improve the lives of the area’s poor. Emily is a local historian who lives […]

Speaker: Marie-Louise Kerr Have you ever spotted a Blue Plaque in the area and wondered about the person to whom it is dedicated, what their life was like and why they are important? The talk will discuss the variety of famous and infamous folk who lived in South Oxfordshire and the impact they had on […]

Speaker: James Thornber Discover the roots of your family tree with our guide to genealogy in the UK. James will explain how to navigate public records, censuses and parish registers, explore online resources like Ancestry and Findmypast, and discuss strategies for connecting with relatives and distant cousins. Let's embark on this exciting journey into your […]

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. […]