Oxford News
When children offered farthings to the Bishop of Oxford
Children would spend weeks collecting the tiny coins – worth a quarter of an old penny – and hand them over to benefit other children at the ‘Whitsun Farthings’ ceremony.
After the farthing ceased to be legal tender in 1961, other coins were accepted at the Whit Tuesday gift service.
Afterwards, the children would take part in a procession out of the cathedral, many holding colourful banners of their school, church or parish.
Whitsun is the name for the holy day of Pentecost. It falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter and marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.
Picture 1 from 1974 shows the Bishop, the Right Rev Kenneth Woollcombe, after he had received £1,000 to equip a school in Bangladesh.
More than 1,000 children attended a service at the cathedral, with two children from every school or church handing over money.
As you can see, the Bishop was being greeted like a leading footballer – everyone anxious to get his signature!
The children in Picture 2 were among 800 who presented money to the Right Rev Patrick Rodger for local youngsters with speech difficulties in 1979.
Folk singer and songwriter Maria Barton in Picture 3 performed at the 1981 gift service.
More than 800 children, parents and teachers attended that year, presenting money to support the Children’s Society which ran children’s homes and nurseries and was celebrating its centenary.
The money was to be used to support the society’s activities and to contribute towards holidays for deprived children.
The service in 1965 attracted 900 children, some of them in Picture 4, who gave Dr Harry Carpenter contributions towards new church buildings.
Dr Carpenter was also in charge in 1969 when more than 1,000 children and their parents attended, some of them in Picture 5. The Children’s Society was the beneficiary that year.
Picture 6 dates from 1976 when money went towards buying a £2,200 minibus for students at a theological college in New Guinea.
Dr Woollcombe is seen with Jane Enticott, from Abingdon.
Waylands Volvo Oxford, based on Cumnor Hill, is inviting drivers to test drive the new Volvo EX60 during an exclusive event from August 21-23.
Recently named the UK’s most exciting upcoming new car at the What Car? Awards, the fully electric SUV combines Scandinavian design with advanced technology and sustainability.
Simon Bishop, general manager at Waylands Volvo Oxford, said: “We’re delighted to welcome local drivers for an exclusive first look at the new Volvo EX60 here in Oxford.
“This weekend long event is designed to be much more than a standard test drive, giving customers the chance to experience the technology that makes the EX60 so special.
“Whether it’s trying the latest safety features, seeing how straightforward fast charging can be or exploring the capabilities of Google Gemini, we want every visitor to leave feeling excited and confident about driving electric.”
The Volvo EX60 P12 AWD model offers a range of up to 503 miles on a single charge – the longest of any Volvo to date.
It can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 16 minutes.
Inside, the SUV features a spacious, premium cabin with a dashboard-mounted speaker and four contemporary interiors, all crafted from renewable and recycled materials.
Test drives will be guided by a Volvo specialist, who will demonstrate features such as the 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and driver assistance systems.
Dr Akash Srinivasan will take on the 13.1-mile challenge in support of Lost Chord UK, a charity that delivers interactive music experiences for people living with dementia.
Lost Chord UK has just five charity places available for the 2027 race and is inviting four more runners to join Dr Srinivasan on the start line.
Dr Srinivasan, who regularly cares for patients with dementia, said: “As a doctor, I regularly meet people living with dementia and see the impact it has on their lives and their loved ones.
“I’ve also been a musician since I was young, playing both the violin and flute, so I’ve always believed music has an extraordinary effect on the mind.”
He was further inspired after reading Musicophilia, the book by Oliver Sacks.
Dr Srinivasan said he discovered Lost Chord UK and the work they do supporting people through live interactive music, and knew it was a charity he wanted to support.
He added: “Running the London Landmarks Half Marathon felt like a meaningful way to bring those two worlds together.”
Lost Chord UK supports more than 9,000 people and families each year through professional live interactive music sessions in care homes, hospitals, hospices and community settings across England and Wales.
Jean Collingwood, chief executive of Lost Chord UK, said Dr Srinivasan’s motivation captures the essence of the charity’s mission.
Ms Collingwood said: “When Akash applied, his words stayed with us because they brought together two things we see every day – medicine helps people live longer, but music helps people live well.”
She explained the broader impact of their work and the importance of community support.
Ms Collingwood added: “Every week our musicians witness extraordinary moments – someone who hasn’t spoken begins to sing, a husband and wife share a dance, a son hears his mum laugh again, a family catches a glimpse of the person they know and love.
“That’s why we’re inviting four more people to join Team Lost Chord UK.”
The London Landmarks Half Marathon takes place next on Sunday, April 4, 2027.
The route takes runners past iconic sites including Big Ben, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge.
Those who join Team Lost Chord UK are asked to raise a minimum of £350 and pay a £30 registration fee.
Each runner will receive a charity running top and full fundraising support.
To apply, visit lost-chord.org.uk/london-landmark-half-marathon-2027.
The Oxford International Song Festival, the UK’s largest festival dedicated to the art of classical song, will take place from October 9 to 24 and feature 59 events in celebration of its milestone year.
Centered around the theme of ‘Love Songs,’ the programme explores love in all its forms through music, poetry and conversation.
More than 150 artists will perform works spanning 800 years, from medieval Armenian songs to romantic masterpieces and new commissions.
Sholto Kynoch, artistic director of the Oxford International Song Festival, said: “When a small group of friends founded this Festival in 2002, none of us imagined where the journey would lead.
“Twenty-five years later, while the Festival has grown enormously, its heart remains exactly the same: a passion for the extraordinary world of song and the friendships that it creates.
“Love lies at the heart of so much great song, and this year’s Festival explores its countless expressions – joyful, heartbreaking, transformative and unexpected.”
The festival opens with a recital by Dame Sarah Connolly and will also include performances by Matthias Goerne, Roderick Williams, Alice Coote and Benjamin Appl.
Three world premieres are scheduled, including works by John Webb, Can Bilir and the festival’s associate composer, Emily Hazrati.
Mr Kynoch said: “As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we also celebrate the wonderful community of artists, audiences and supporters who have shaped the Festival over the past quarter of a century.
“Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning once again, we look forward to welcoming you to Oxford this October.”
The festival will be held in Oxford, including the newly opened Schwarzman Centre, which will host the opening concert.
A special Schubert Weekend will take place from October 17 to 18, exploring the composer’s life and work through immersive performances and discussions.
Chamber concerts, poetry readings and panel talks will also feature throughout the 16-day event.
In keeping with its commitment to accessibility, the festival will offer thousands of tickets for £20 or less, with many events priced between £7 and £10.
There will also be free events and £10 tickets available for anyone under 35.
Full programme details and ticket bookings are available at www.oxfordsong.org.
The box office can also be reached by phone on 01865 591276, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 1pm.
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