Information AboutOxford |
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Oxford is a City and Local Government District in Oxfordshire , England , with a population of 134,248 ( 2001 census). It is home to the University Of Oxford , the oldest university in the English -speaking world. It is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term coined by Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious Architecture of the university Building s. The Oxford suburb of Cowley has a long history of carmaking and now produces the BMW MINI . HISTORY Oxford was first occupied in Saxon times, and was initially known as " Oxenaforda ". It began with the foundations of St Frideswide 's Nunnery in the 8th Century , and was first mentioned in written records in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for the year 912 . In the 10th Century Oxford became an important military frontier town between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex and was on several occasions raided by Danes . St Frideswide is the patron saint of both the city and university. The University Of Oxford is first mentioned in 12th Century records. Oxford's earliest College s were University College ( 1249 ), Balliol ( 1263 ) and Merton ( 1264 ). These colleges were established at a time when Europeans were starting to translate the writings of Greek philosophers. These writings challenged European ideology - inspiring scientific discoveries and advancements in the arts - as society began seeing itself in a new way. These colleges at Oxford were supported by the Church in hopes to reconcile Greek Philosophy and Christian Theology. Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford is unique as a college chapel and cathedral in one foundation. Originally the Priory Church of St Frideswide, the building was extended and incorporated into the structure of the Cardinal's College shortly before its refounding as Christ Church in 1546 , since which time it has functioned as the cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford. The relationship between "town and gown" has often been uneasy—several university students were killed in the St Scholastica Day Riot of 1355 . During the English Civil War , Oxford housed the court of Charles I in 1642 , after the king was expelled from London , although there was strong support in the town for the Parliamentarian cause. The town yielded to Parliamentarian forces under General Fairfax in 1646 . In 1790 the Oxford Canal connected the city with Coventry . The Duke's Cut was completed by the Duke Of Marlborough in 1789 to link the new canal with the River Thames ; and in 1796 the Oxford Canal company built their own link to the Thames, at Isis Lock. In the 1840s the Great Western Railway and London And North Western Railway linked Oxford with London. In the 19th century the controversy surrounding the Oxford Movement in the Anglican Church drew attention to the city as a focus of theological thought. Oxford's Town Hall was built by Henry T. Hare, the foundation stone was laid on 6 July 1893 and opened by the future King Edward VII on 12 May 1897 . The site has been the seat of Local Government since the Guild Hall of 1292 and though Oxford is a city and a Lord Mayor alty, it is still called by its traditional name of " Town Hall ". By the early (from where students traditionally jump into the River Cherwell every May Day morning) and the car town to the east. This led to the witticism that "Oxford is the left bank of Cowley". Cowley suffered major job losses in the 1980s and 1990s during the decline of British Leyland , but is now producing the successful New MINI for BMW . The influx of migrant labour to the car plants, recent immigration from south-east Asia, and a large student population, have given Oxford a notable cosmopolitan character, especially in the Headington and Cowley Road areas with their many bars, cafes, restaurants, clubs, ethnic shops and fast food outlets. On 6 May 1954 Roger Bannister , as a 25 year old medical student, ran the first authenticated sub-four minute mile at the Iffley Road running track in Oxford. Oxford's "other" university, Oxford Brookes University , formerly Oxford Polytechnic, based at Headington, was given its charter in 1991. Twinning Oxford is twinned with:
All of these are university towns. TRANSPORT Oxford is located some 50 miles (80 km) north west of London ; the cities are linked by the M40 Motorway , which also links northwards to Birmingham . Rail connections include services to London ( Paddington ), Bournemouth , Worcester (via the Cotswold Line ), and Bicester . The city also has regular train services northwards to Birmingham , Coventry and the north. The railway service connecting Oxford and Cambridge, known as the Varsity Line , was discontinued in 1968 . The Oxford Canal connects to the River Thames at Oxford. Oxford Airport at Kidlington offers business and general aviation services. Local bus services are largely provided by the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach South Midlands TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Oxford has numerous major tourist attractions, many belonging to the university and colleges. As well as several famous institutions, the town centre is home to Carfax Tower and a historical themed ride, The Oxford Story. In the summer, Punting on the Thames (sometimes called the ''Isis'' as it flows through Oxford) and the Cherwell is popular. ]] Other notable attractions include: Religious sites
Churches in central Oxford Anglican:
Catholic:
Baptist:
Other:
Museums and galleries University of Oxford:
Others:
University buildings (Other than the Colleges )
Open spaces The floodplains for Oxford's two rivers reach right into the heart of the city, providing a wealth of green spaces.
in Oxford]] Commercial areas
Theatres and cinemas
Traditional and historic pubs
and numerous others, catering for Town and Gown MEDIA AND PRESS As well as the : The Oxford Channel is also available. Popular local papers include the Oxford Mail, the Oxford Times, and the Oxford Star. Recently (2003) DIY grassroots non-corporate media has began to spread Independent and community newspapers include the Jericho Echo [http://www.jerichoecho.org.uk and Oxford Prospect [http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk]. LITERATURE IN OXFORD Well-known Oxford-based authors include:
Many English novels have been set partly or wholly in Oxford. They include:
See also the Literature section in the University Of Oxford article. OTHER NOTABLE OXONIANS
SCHOOLS Oxford and the surrounding area is home to an unusual number of highly academic schools, many of which receive pupils from around the world. Some of these are college schools, dating back centuries, which retain their links with the University and have kept the tradition of single sex education. Intellectual rivalry between the pupils of the different schools is frequent but generally good humoured.
GEOGRAPHY Oxford's latitude and longitude are (at Carfax Tower , which is usually considered the centre). Wards, neighbourhoods, and suburbs in Headington ]]
POLITICS IN OXFORD Oxford City Council Despite stereotypes of Oxford being a conservative city, there are no Conservatives on the city council. Since the 2004 Local Elections , the council has been in minority administration by councillors from the Labour Party , with the Liberal Democrats being the official opposition. With 7 city councillors and 5 county councillors, Oxford is one of the UK cities with highest Green Party representation. The Independent Working Class Association also has councillors, mainly elected to serve wards with many Housing Estate s in the south east of the city, such as Blackbird Leys. See Oxford Council Election 2004 for further information. Since 2002 , elections have been held for Oxford City Council in even years, with each councillor serving a term of four years. Each Electoral Ward within Oxford is represented by two councillors, thus all wards elect one councillor at each election. Prior to 2002, the City Council was elected by thirds. ;Partisan Composition ;Partisan Control Westminster representation at the Oxford West And Abingdon constituency]] The two MPs are Andrew Smith from the Oxford East constituency, erstwhile employment minister in the Labour government; and Dr Evan Harris from the Oxford West And Abingdon constituency, sometime Liberal Democrat spokesperson on health. At the 2005 General Election , Oxford East became a Marginal Seat with a Labour majority over the Liberal Democrats of just 963. Oxford West & Abingdon is a safe Liberal Democrat seat with Dr Harris enjoying a majority of just under 8,000. Alternative Culture There is also a large and vibrant alternative political culture mostly situated in East Oxford. Some examples are: |
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