Oxford News
Preservation trust fights to save fountain and bridge
Recent and current projects include the swing bridge near Oxford railway station, a Victorian fountain and its own headquarters.
The swing bridge swung across the Sheepwash Channel to allow trains to pass into the former Rewley Road railway terminus and then swung back to allow boats to pass.
It was designed by engineer Robert Stephenson, son of George Stephenson, opened in 1851 and is thought to be the earliest surviving moving railway bridge in the world.
The railway line, which ended on the site of what is now the Said Business School, closed to passenger trains in 1951 and to freight trains in 1984.
After its closure, the bridge fell into disrepair and was added to the national Heritage at Risk Register in 2013.
Ownership of the bridge transferred in 2019 to the Preservation Trust, which led a £900,000 restoration project funded by the Railway Heritage Trust, Historic England and Network Rail.
When work was completed in 2021, the bridge was removed from the At Risk Register. Trust volunteers continue to maintain it and manage the surrounding landscape.
The Trust organised a ‘drop-in’ in May for visitors to see the 175-year-old bridge, which links the Oxford Canal and the River Thames.
Another trust project is the restoration of the drinking fountain between Walton Well Road and Southmoor Road in Jericho.
The ancient Walton well was a spring in a natural dip in the rural landscape. The Portland stone fountain was built in 1885 when the area began to transform into a Victorian suburb. It provided water for the local community.
William Ward, a coal merchant, who was Mayor of Oxford twice, led the campaign for the fountain. It was designed by local architect Harry Moore but now, 140 years later, it no longer works and is in need of restoration.
The trust launched a fundraising campaign last year and now has enough money for work to start on the first phase.
Eventually, it will again provide water and a bench will be installed for walkers to rest.
The Trust is also researching the history of its own offices in Turn Again Lane, formerly Charles Street, and their connection with the wider St Ebbe’s community.
In a public appeal, it says: “Maybe you remember the Church Army hostel at 2 Charles Street or Mr Vokins, a Morrell’s beer retailer at Nos 6 and 7? Or perhaps you knew some of the families who lived in the street – the Corbetts, the Howes, the Birchills at No 8, or the Robinsons and the Ayres at Nos 9 and 10?
“Whether you lived or worked nearby or had family there, we would love to hear from you. Your recollections could be a valuable part of our research.”
Email a.clark@oxfordpreservation.org.uk or liz@lizwoolley.co.uk or call 01865 242918
The electrical fire broke out at Helen and Douglas House on Magdalen Road on the morning of Friday, June 12.
In a post uploaded to the charity’s website, they stated: “The fire was quickly and safely extinguished, and no children, families or staff were injured.”
However, the incident left Helen House, the organisation’s main clinical building, without electrical power.
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What caused the fire is unknown at present, but a spokesperson for the charity said that “investigations are underway” to find out.
Damage was reportedly “localised” to “a small area of family accommodation”, but nonetheless caused a loss of power “throughout the building”, necessitating closure.
The charity provides one-to-one nursing care for terminally ill children up to the age of 18, as well as end-of-life support and post-death care.
“Thanks to the swift action of our staff and the emergency services, we were able to contain the fire quickly and evacuate the building safely.
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“So it has been temporarily disruptive rather than devastating to the service,” added the spokesperson.
“We are doing all we can to re-open Helen House as soon as possible, but we cannot re-open until power has been restored and we don’t have a date for that as yet.”
In the meantime, the hospice is running “a temporary and slightly reduced” inpatient care service for its children.
There is space in Douglas House, its second building, being allocated to families “on a case-by-case basis”.
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Douglas House, though mainly used as an office, also has “unoccupied areas suitable for care on a temporary basis”, according to the spokesperson.
They claimed that families and children due to come in for inpatient care “have been informed”.
The charity’s other services, such as “Physiotherapy and Play”, continue to run on-site as normal, and the hospice encourages anyone seeking its care to call 01865 796771, with the number being staffed 24/7.
The spokesperson added: “We are working closely with local hospitals and other hospices to respond to as many care needs as possible.
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“Our care in the community and in hospital settings, including outreach and bereavement support, continues as normal.”
The update posted on the charity’s website stated: “Thank you for your patience, support and understanding.
“We are immensely grateful to the emergency services and our staff for their calm, swift response, and we look forward to reopening Helen House as soon as possible.”
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been approached for comment.
Explosions and loud bangs have been heard amid a ‘major incident’ in Bicester, Oxfordshire
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The 66-year-old farmer has been in Boston, USA, in recent days to watch England in the World Cup.
On his BA flight back home on Friday, June 26, though, the Clarkson’s Farm star announced a new partnership with the airliner.
British Airways will now be be serving Hawkstone lager, produced entirely from British barley made by UK farmers.
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In an announcement on Instagram, Mr Clarkson said from his flight: “Farmers of the UK, good news.
“You know we buy your barley to turn into Hawkstone lager? Well British Airways, which is where I am now, is now serving that lager on their flights. I kid you not, they are.”
The deal is the latest in a long line of contracts being signed for Mr Clarkson’s Hawkstone brand.
It is now sold in Waitrose, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Marston’s pubs.
Hawkstone, named after a Cotswold stone, was announced earlier this year as the fastest-growing company in the region in the fourth annual Sunday Times 100 rankings.
The brewery, whose largest shareholder is the 65-year-old presenter, was ranked 23rd on the list, which ranks the 100 leading entrepreneurial businesses in the UK.
The brand is led by managing director Owen Jenkins, 44, and has expanded into more than 1,500 UK pubs.
The business has nearly tripled its sales to £21.3 million in the year up to March with an average annual growth of 134 per cent over the last three years.
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