Events

Saturday November 15 Kennington Village Centre

Cabaret style Gala Night  for 100 people in Kennington Village Centre.

A full Kennington Village Centre hummed with controversial discussion as everyone debated the kind of society they would like to create on Sylvia Vetta’s mythical  island of Oxtopia. What aspects of life in Oxford and Oxfordshire would they like to recreate and what do they want to leave behind?

The Oxtopian Gala Night was a fundraiser for the Friends of Kennington Library (FOKL). ( Oxfordshire County Council in non- Oxtopian style  declared Kennington library a community library so FOKL have to fund 4.5 hours  of staffing per week in order to have a professional in charge and provide 7.5 hours volunteer hours to assist  the library manager)

FOKL’s president is Korky Paul the illustrator of the Winnie the Witch books. Korky kicked off the debate with Helen Peacocke, the  food writer of The Oxford Times, Euton Daley who was for 23 years the director of Pegasus Theatre,  Ray Foulk, the award winning green architect and founder of the Isle of Wight Festival (Ray brought Bob Dylan to England).The fourth speaker was  Nancy Hunt of the Nasio Trust. Nancy had hot footed it from the NAT West Venus awards where she had been presented with the award for most inspirational woman in Oxfordshire .

Among the other Oxford Castaways present whom Sylvia has had the privilege of interviewing was documentary film maker Dai Richard,  local film maker and web designer Philip Hind and children’s writer and art director of the film  Snowman and the Snowdog, Joanna Harrison. Joanna also designed the cover of Oxford Castaways 2 which was produced by Oxfordfolio in part to promote Vale House the first home to specialise in the care of people with dementia. Gillian Cox was the founding chairwoman of Vale House and she headed up a table. To see images click on the link…

http://www.oxfordprospect.com/events/kennington-cerebrates-oxtopia

On Monday April 28, castaways from Oxford Castaways 1 gathered to greet the new arrivals to Oxtopia. The venue for the launch of Oxford Castaways 2 was Rochester House transformed by castaways  Kim Pickin and Tish Francis into a palace of the imagination now renamed as The Story Museum in Pembroke Street, Oxford.

Castaways Rebecca Alison and Nia Williams (Mezzopiano)  played and sang, the 90 guests wrote on artist Diana Bell’s giant travelling book and played in the museum’s exhibition ‘26 characters’ before gathering in The Story Exchange.  Castaway Helen Peacocke photographed me on the story throne and I was able to thank Tim Metcalfe, the editor of Oxfordshire Limited Edition and publisher James Harrison of Oxfordfolio for their support.  As everyone exchanged stories over wine and a light international buffet, the decibels rose and Oxford Castaways 2 was open for scrutiny and appeared to be received with approbation.

To buy copies of Oxford Castaways 2
Go to
http://www.oxfordfolio.co.uk
and click on the cover image.

Oxford Castaways and The Big Bang Restaurant

See some familiar faces. I was honoured to get Sir Roger Bannister’s signature on his memoir ‘Twin Tracks’.There are some wonderful details in it.  Before his voice broke, aged 14 , he played the role of Kate in ‘ The Taming of the Shrew’!  This castaway was so energetic and  hard working and  he is still keen to experience new things. He is a true inspiration. The same goes for his fellow castaway Lady Moyra Bannister and their daughter Charlotte who was one of the panelists in the debate. Click on the Oxford Prospect link below.

http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Oxford-Castaways-Book-2.html

Is Oxford Oxtopia?

My castaways  are not alone of Oxtopia. All 90 will need to build a new society. As well as the 4 panelists at the Big Bang, other castaways will join the debate at  other venues during 2014.

Castaways will discuss what aspects of Oxford life  they would  like to re- create on the island and what  they want to leave behind. You can join in the debate.

Nov  15 @ Kennington 6.30 for 7pm , the event  includes a generous and  delicious two course meal  for £14. ( Bring a bottle) Proceeds to support the community library. You can come alone and feel very welcome or book a table for a group of six or seven.   You can book via this web site.

This pic is from the Tropical Gala Night at Kennington for Oxford Castaways 1. Can you recognise anyone?

What would I take to Oxtopia ?Green Oxford as visualised  by Weimin He  and I would want to recreate the beauty of Oxford and leave behind the A34.  I would take the diversity and leave the pockets of exclusivity.

Spring/Summer Calendar

Tuesday 8 April: North Leigh WI

Wednesday 9 April:  Harwell WI

Tuesday 15 April: Uffington WI

Thursday 17April: Appleton WI

Monday 16 June: Sandleigh Seniors

Tuesday 17 June: Childrey WI

Tuesday 10 July: Sunningwell WI