As Father’s Day approaches, social media feeds fill with family photographs, gift ideas and messages of appreciation for dads and father figures. For many, it is a day of celebration. For others, it serves as a poignant reminder of someone they have lost.

For Oxfordshire resident Nell Davies-Small, Father’s Day has taken on a very different meaning in recent years.

The 24-year-old lost her father suddenly three years ago following a short, five-week battle with brain cancer. The timing made an already devastating loss even harder to process. Having just completed university, Nell attended her father’s funeral the day before her graduation ceremony.

Today, she is sharing her experience in the hope that others navigating grief feel less alone.

” The first Father’s Day I experienced without my father I spent feeling very angry,” Nell recalls. “Watching others appreciate their parent, and celebrating alongside them, felt a personal attack on the absence of my own dad.”

Like many people grieving the loss of a parent, she found herself caught between personal sorrow and a world seemingly moving on around her.

“I wished he had been there, to read my card, laugh at my sincerity, and I wished we could spend the day together; go for a walk and a pint, watch The Royle Family, and laugh together, like we always did.”

While grief is often described as a journey, it rarely follows a predictable path. For young adults especially, the loss of a parent can arrive during a period of significant life change, disrupting plans, milestones and expectations for the future.

For Nell, the years since her father’s death have been marked by both heartbreak and growth.

As a Youth Ambassador for Child Bereavement UK, she has found herself connecting with other young people who understand the complexities of loss.

“When I first joined Child Bereavement UK, it was to shout about my grief and the injustice, the pain and the heartbreak,” she says. “I wanted to make sure nobody ever felt as isolated and downtrodden as I did when my dad died.”

What she discovered was not a solution to grief, but something equally important: a community.

“Three years on, I realise now I will never be able to do that, because their grief is not something I can fix. But working with Child Bereavement UK brought me something I never thought I would have: a group of incredible people with similar experiences who have held my hand and laughed with me through the highs and lows of this funny thing we call grief.”

Her experience reflects a reality recognised by bereavement specialists: grief does not disappear with time. Instead, many people learn how to carry it alongside the rest of their lives.

Special occasions such as Father’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas can be particularly challenging. These moments often shine a spotlight on absence, bringing emotions back to the surface regardless of how much time has passed.

Yet Nell says her relationship with Father’s Day has evolved.

“As life has moved on, although it feels like my grief has not, approaching my third Father’s Day without my dad has made me realise it has.”

Rather than focusing solely on loss, she now sees the day as an opportunity to reflect on the relationship they shared.

“How lucky are all of my friends to hug their fathers, how lucky am I to miss mine with such ferocity and desperation. But, more importantly, how lucky am I to have loved and been loved by him.”

It is a perspective shaped not by the absence of grief, but by an acceptance that grief and love are deeply connected.

For many bereaved people, remembrance becomes an important part of healing. Whether through family traditions, sharing stories, visiting meaningful places or simply setting aside time to reflect, finding ways to honour loved ones can help maintain a sense of connection.

For Nell, Father’s Day has become a quieter, more reflective occasion.

“Father’s Day, for me, has become a time of quiet reflection; the parts of him I see in myself, a slow day to remember my warm and bright childhood, and to remind myself that taking active time to remember someone means you have the rare and incredible ability to keep them alive.”

She is also candid about the difficulties that remain.

The first Father’s Day after her father’s death was overwhelming. Like many young people dealing with grief in an increasingly connected world, she found social media particularly difficult.

“If this is your first Father’s Day without your dad; there is no right or wrong way to deal with anything, especially not this.”

Her coping mechanisms were simple but effective.

“I put my phone in a drawer and did not open it for 48 hours because I was terrified to see social media. I gathered my friends around me and talked about him all day because that was all that made me feel safe.”

Her message to others facing a similar experience is one of compassion and understanding.

Grief looks different for everyone. Some people prefer solitude, others seek company. Some find comfort in routines and traditions, while others create entirely new ways of marking difficult occasions.

The important thing, Nell says, is recognising that there is no single correct response.

Although Father’s Day remains emotionally complex, she now sees beauty in the purpose behind it.

“Although Father’s Day still makes me feel a bit queasy, I also think; what a beautiful day we have, to remember people, dead or alive, and consciously bring them into our days, because they made our lives so beautiful for so long.”

Her story comes as Child Bereavement UK highlights the challenges many children and young people face when navigating significant dates after the death of someone important in their lives.

The charity provides free support across the UK for children and young people up to the age of 25 who are bereaved or facing the death of someone close to them. It also supports parents and carers whose babies or children have died or are dying.

Through specialist bereavement services, the organisation helps families understand and cope with grief, while offering practical and emotional support during some of life’s most difficult moments.

As Father’s Day is marked across Oxfordshire and beyond, Nell’s reflections offer a reminder that the day means different things to different people.

For some, it is about celebration. For others, remembrance.

And for those carrying the loss of a father, it can be both at the same time.

About the King’s Birthday Honours List

Honouring Oxfordshire: Celebrating our local heroes in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026

The King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 continues a long-standing tradition of recognising individuals who have made exceptional contributions to public life across the UK.

From environmental law and children’s welfare to business leadership, local government and community impact, this year’s Oxfordshire recipients reflect the depth and diversity of talent rooted in the county.

Leading the Oxfordshire honours is Professor Richard Brabazon Macrory CBE KC, who has been appointed a Knight Bachelor for services to Environmental Law.

Lately a Board Member of the Office for Environmental Protection, Professor Macrory is widely regarded for his influential work in shaping environmental regulation and governance in the UK. His knighthood reflects a career dedicated to strengthening legal frameworks that support environmental protection and sustainable development.

Also honoured is Wendy Becker for services to business and charitable causes in Oxfordshire. She is recognised for her leadership across both commercial and philanthropic spheres, with a strong record of supporting organisations and community initiatives.

As Director of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, Lisa Harker is honoured for her services to children and young people, helping to improve understanding and outcomes within the family justice system.

Other recipients include:

• Dr Martin Reeves – recognised for services to local government. He is Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council and has played a key role in leading public service delivery across the county.
• Jacquelyn Gitau – recognised for services to migrant families in Oxfordshire. She is known for her work supporting African families and strengthening community integration and wellbeing.
• Craig Simmons – honoured for services to charitable causes and the Oxford community, and is recognised for his continued commitment to grassroots impact and local engagement.

The Oxfordshire recipients of the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 reflect a shared commitment to public service, innovation and community wellbeing.

From environmental leadership at the highest legal level to frontline support for families and communities, this year’s honourees demonstrate the breadth of contribution across the county.

Their achievements serve as a reminder of the significant role Oxfordshire continues to play in shaping national life — across law, government, business and social impact.

Read on to discover the full list of Oxfordshire people recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.

Knighthoods

Professor Richard Brabazon MACRORY
Lately Board Member, The Office for Environmental Protection.
For services to Environmental Law
(Kidlington, Oxfordshire)

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

Wendy Mira BECKER
For services to Business and to Charitable Causes
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Lisa Marie HARKER
Director, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory.
For services to Children and Young People
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

John Gordon BOUMPHREY
Vice-President, Country Manager UK and Ireland, Amazon.
For services to Technology, Consumer and Digital Commerce Industry
(Abingdon, Oxfordshire)

Clare HORNBY
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ME+EM.
For services to the Fashion Industry
(Burford, Oxfordshire)

Dr Martin Robert REEVES
Chief Executive, Oxfordshire County Council.
For services to Local Government
(Warwick, Warwickshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire 

Sally Elizabeth ALEXANDER
Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Milton Keynes College Group, Buckinghamshire.
For services to Further Education

Sarah EBERLE
For services to Horticulture
(Witney, Oxfordshire)

Jacquelyn Elizabeth GITAU
Director, African Families in the UK.
For services to Migrant Families in Oxfordshire
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Anthony Roy PERKINS
Chief Executive, The London Hostels Association London Ltd.
For services to Housing and to Supporting Young People
(Bicester, Oxfordshire)

Craig SIMMONS
For services to Charitable Causes and to the community in Oxford
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Dr Stephen Michael SMITH
Executive Director, CO2RE and Associate Professor of Greenhouse Gas
Removal, University of Oxford.
For services to Climate Science
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Rabbi Dr Norman SOLOMON
For services to the Jewish Community and to Interfaith Relations in Oxfordshire
(London, Greater London)

Adam TWINE
Organic Farmer.
For services to Community Onshore Wind
(Watchfield, Oxfordshire)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

Melanie Jane HOULDERSHAW
For services to Local Theatre and Choir
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Richard Geoffrey Horsford KEMP
For services to the community in Langford, Oxfordshire
(Lechlade, Oxfordshire)

Martin Brotherton SPURRIER
For services to Charitable Causes and to the community in Oxfordshire
(Witney, Oxfordshire)

Introduction

There are few Oxford experiences as instantly recognisable—or as quietly deceptive—as punting.

From the riverbank, it looks effortless: a long wooden boat gliding between willows, champagne catching the light, college stone reflected in slow-moving water. It is the version of Oxford most often photographed, and the one most likely to persuade first-timers that they already understand what is about to happen.

The reality is more nuanced. Punting is less a gentle drift and more a careful negotiation with balance, timing, and an unexpectedly stubborn pole. Yet it remains one of the most rewarding ways to see the city, precisely because it reveals Oxford at a pace entirely different from its streets.

Get it right and, as you drift along the water, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the city’s spires and historic architecture, including the colleges of University of Oxford, while passing through tranquil meadows and riverside landscapes inhabited by ducks, swans, and other wildlife.

History of punting in Oxford

Punting has been part of Oxford life since the late 19th century. The city’s first punting company, Salter Bros, was established in 1880 by brothers William and John Salter. Initially hiring out rowing boats on the Isis — the local name for the River Thames through Oxford — they soon recognised that traditional punts were better suited to the shallow waters of the nearby River Cherwell.

As punting grew in popularity, other operators emerged, and by the turn of the 20th century the activity had become firmly established as a favourite pastime among students, residents, and visitors alike. What began as a practical way to navigate Oxford’s waterways gradually evolved into a leisure activity synonymous with the city itself.

By the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, punting had become woven into the social fabric of Oxford. Students embraced it as a relaxed alternative to rowing, using the river for conversation, courtship, picnics, and leisurely afternoons away from the demands of academic life. Over time, the tradition became an enduring part of the Oxford experience, with generations of students and visitors taking to the water each summer.

Today, punting remains one of the city’s most cherished traditions. While the colleges, riverside meadows, and waterways provide a timeless backdrop, the appeal remains much the same as it was more than a century ago: a chance to see Oxford from a different perspective and enjoy a slower pace of life on the river.

Where to begin: punt stations

Where you start fundamentally shapes the experience. Oxford’s punting is anchored by two main departure points, each offering a distinctly different version of the river.

At Magdalen Bridge, the most central and recognisable starting point, you step almost immediately into the Oxford of postcards. The River Cherwell flows beneath the bridge and opens into views of the Botanic Garden, Christ Church Meadow, and the backs of colleges.

It is the classic route and the most atmospheric introduction to the city from the water, but also the busiest. In peak season, the river here becomes a steady procession of novice punters, where timing and patience matter as much as technique.

Further north, Cherwell Boathouse offers a quieter alternative. The same river feels more spacious and less hurried, with fewer boats and a gentler rhythm. It is a preferred starting point for those who want space to learn, or simply to drift without the constant negotiation of traffic. The experience here leans less towards spectacle and more towards immersion in landscape.

Together, these two stations frame the spectrum of Oxford punting: from iconic and energetic to calm and reflective.

What punting entails

At its simplest, punting involves propelling a flat-bottomed boat using a long pole pushed against the riverbed. In practice, it is an exercise in coordination, timing, and restraint.

The instinct of most beginners is to do too much too quickly: to push harder, correct faster, and treat the pole as a steering mechanism. In reality, the river responds better to subtle adjustments. The pole is not a wheel but a point of contact; direction comes from balance, weight distribution, and patience rather than force.

There is usually a moment—often fleeting—when everything aligns. The pole finds the riverbed cleanly, the boat straightens, and movement becomes smooth. It rarely lasts long, but it is enough to explain why punting remains so enduringly popular.

Punting etiquette

On the river, a quiet code of behaviour emerges without instruction. Space is given generously, especially in narrower stretches where confidence tends to waver. Movement slows when boats converge, rather than accelerating into gaps. Noise softens as you move away from the city centre.

There is an unspoken understanding that the river is shared, not dominated. Even celebration tends to adjust itself to the rhythm of the water. Loudness feels out of place; awareness feels essential. The most experienced punters are rarely the fastest or most forceful, but the most considerate of others moving through the same space.

How the river changes as you travel

The character of the river shifts noticeably over the course of a journey. Near Magdalen Bridge, it feels structured and familiar, almost theatrical in how it frames Oxford’s architecture. The presence of the city is constant and close.

Further along, the river begins to loosen. It widens in places, reflections linger longer, and the sense of enclosure softens. Colleges recede slightly from view, and the experience becomes less about passing landmarks and more about moving through a continuous landscape.

In these quieter stretches, punting becomes less performative and more contemplative. The river is no longer simply a route through Oxford, but a way of temporarily stepping outside its pace.

When things go wrong

Imperfection is not an exception in punting; it is part of the experience. Boats drift off line. Poles get stuck in the riverbed. Momentum is lost at inconvenient moments. Almost everyone, regardless of experience, ends up slightly misaligned at some point in the journey.

These moments are not failures, but interruptions in rhythm. The river does not reward precision so much as adaptability. A brief pause against the bank or an unexpected turn into foliage is simply part of learning how the water behaves.

What matters is not avoiding these moments entirely, but returning to balance without frustration. The river is forgiving, even when it is uncooperative.

Conclusion

Punting in Oxford is not about mastery. It is about adjustment—between control and drift, intention and response, city and river. It asks for patience rather than precision, and rewards those willing to accept that movement here is never entirely linear.

Seen properly, the river does not simply carry you through Oxford. It slows the city down just enough for you to notice it differently, and in doing so, reveals a version of it that exists only from the water.