Friday 30 January 2009

The Battle of The Museum of Oxford

What town or city in its right mind closes down the museum of its OWN civic history?

That little backwater known as 'Oxford' it would seem.

Despite the fact that the Museum of Oxford costs a mere £200,000 per year to run, and the only other source of local (town and gown) history 'The Oxford Story' - a hugely popular Disneyfied rollercoaster through Oxford's history on moving school desks has (oddly) closed down - the City Council in its wisdom is wielding an axe to this unprepossessing little museum nestled next to the Town Hall in the name of 'cost cutting', and without we taxpayers' consent.

Fair enough the MoO hasn't been modernised in years, but that's exactly why some of us like it. Too much refurbishment and interactive display can RUIN a museum. A couple of years ago I finally got round to visiting the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, only to find that it had become SO interactive and child-centred, there was virtually nothing left for grown-ups to look at. I came away feeling it a poor tribute to our once-proud seafaring nation.

Ironically enough two of Oxford's other museums, The Ashmolean (art and archeology) and the Pitt Rivers (anthropological history) are currently closed for multi-million pound refurbishments. Doubtless funded by donors, but ironic how bucketfuls of money can be spent on those, doubtless to their architectural detriment, but not a few pennies on the Museum of Oxford, no siree, not even for an ADVERTISING budget! Is it any wonder that it is not getting the footfall it deserves when it is almost being deliberately run into the ground, and granted no sensible and obvious connecting corridor to the next door Town Hall with its gallery, cafe and public conveniences either?

Following local press interest and the intervention of Oxford Civic Society with volunteer help, the Museum of Oxford has won a temporary reprieve for one year, but will still lose the majority of its staff, and its only hope of survival after that will be the formation of a Charitable Trust in time, to take it off the council's hands entirely. Which will in turn no doubt require an admission charge to subsidise, making it the city's only charging museum. As for new interactive exhibits presumably there was a job lot of these going when 'The Oxford Story' closed down.

Meanwhile I hear an expensive Czar of Culture has been hired by the Council to oversee its shrinking culture. Spot the obvious Council cost-saving, anyone?



Sunday 25 January 2009

The Man Who Put The Heart Into Art

I hadn't intended to write another posting on the theme of TV nostalgia so soon, but I couldn't let this week pass without paying homage to the late, great TV presenter Tony Hart - a fixture of my childhood and the childhoods of just about every Briton under 60. The man was a giant of children's television for an unbelieveable 50 years, only retiring when ill health prevented him from carrying on in 2001. The favourite uncle that every child dreamed of - kind, patient, encouraging, and with utter belief that you could create anything that he could, given practice and a few mistakes along the way. He also had a sense of fun, with various assistants, characters and animations popping up over the years, but never at the expense of the art. Unusually for TV presenters, Tony Hart displayed no ego - nor did he try and pretend he was seven himself - it was all about the art and that's why we children loved him and found him such a comforting and constant staple in our lives. Like Blue Peter, Tony Hart strove to be all-inclusive so that even children from the poorest families could join in and he would often utilise items that most families had in their cupboards, creating pictures using materials such as dried macaroni and lentils.
At the end of each programme Tony would introduce The Gallery, where viewers' pictures were displayed to the soothing tones of 'Leftbank' (and at the height of his programmes' popularity, 20,000 pictures a week would be submitted!) Needless to say my pathetic rocket ship never made it, but the programme remained compulsory viewing every afternoon when I got in from school.
As if Tony Hart wasn't impressive enough, I now find that he served as a Gurkha in WWII and devised nearly all the ideas himself for each show. He even designed the famous Blue Peter Badge! The one innovation he didn't come up with was his clay friend 'Morph' who lived in a pencil box in his studio and got up to mischief every time Tony's back was turned, eventually to be joined by sparring partner Chas who was even naughtier! Tony Hart received two Bafta's and a Lifetime Achievement award for his services to television, but shamefully, no knighthood, though I see there is a rather touching Facebook campaign to award him a posthumous one! Occasionally you come across someone who seems as if they have been born to do what they do and Tony Hart was a prime example of the perfect person in the perfect career - even down to his neat surname! Certainly when he lost his ability to draw through a stroke four years ago he described it as 'the greatest cross I have had to bear.' RIP Tony - we shall not see your like again.









Friday 16 January 2009

Fun With Dick, George & Mildred



While The Two Ronnies, Morcambe & Wise and Benny Hill are endlessly repeated, you will seldom see a repeat of either The Dick Emery Show or sitcom George & Mildred, yet in their day they were just as big, winning massive ratings for their channels.

I don't know why either Dick Emery or George and Mildred should have left such an indelible impression on a young child but they did. Perhaps because they contained such colourful characters and Dick Emery and Yootha Joyce (aka Mildred) had such wonderfully mischievous smiles with matching glints in their eye.

For a while it was impossible to obtain even tribute videos/DVDs, though these are at last available.

Watching them now it is easy to see why Dick Emery has fallen out of favour as his shows lampooning the little-Hitlerdom of railway station masters (oh where have they gone now we need them?), his man-eating females, insincere vicars and outrageously cliched homosexuals have dated badly, cutting-edge though they may have been when he first rose to stardom in the late 1950s. On the other hand they are also uproariously un-PC, and to be fair to Mr Emery, he always wanted to be more adventurous and develop his comedy more innovatively but a staid BBC refused to let him take risks with one of their biggest hit shows, insisting he carry on churning out comedy for mass consumption, forever employing his cast of tried and trusted characters. However Harry Enfield has more than once generously credited Dick Emery as his greatest inspiration, and when you watch Mr Enfield's shows you can see the comedy lineage. Here is a clip of 'Hettie' unselfishly thinking of others.







George and Mildred was a spin-off from hit-com Robin's Nest and G&M were originally cameo characters who played the neighbours of man-about-town Robin who rather daringly (for the 1970s) shared a flat with two hot chicks, albeit neither of whom actually fancied him, much though he tried to pretend otherwise to the world.

Mildred was the undisputed Queen of Brentford Nylon, childless and sexually frustrated and forever trying to seduce her hapless, sexually-terrified and underachieving husband George, whose job it was to try and dodge her amorous advances. A loveable monster, Mildred was a curious hybrid of traditional and liberated woman who aspired to better things but could never quite escape the 'you've made your bed so you must lie in it' doctrine of her parents' generation and admit that she'd married the wrong man. However she did break free when it came to fashion, wearing the most extraordinary clashes with her equally-loud floral wallpaper and wafting about in aforementioned glamorous negligee's of the nylon persuasion, teamed with colourful plastic earrings and occasionally macs as she led a life of loud-but-quiet desperation. George too managed to be so much more than a foil and was funny in his own right, and secretly caring and loyal too, despite living in fear of his overbearing wife. They had equally memorable neighbours in the 'perfect' middle-class Fourmile family who seemed to have everything Mildred had ever aspired to, including an absurdly precocious son Tristram, and to whom Mildred alternately sucked up and was green with envy towards. Here's a cute YouTube clip of George & Mildred babysitting, posted by the young actor featured.

Saturday 10 January 2009

Economy, Exercise & Literature

'Mummy, why don't they print more money so that there's no poor people?' was a question oft-asked in my tenderest years. And while I watched a mother scarcely more conversant in the mysterious ways of economics than my six year old self struggle to explain why this was not possible and would throw the whole banking world out of kilter, I experienced an odd sort of satisfaction that she had no satisfactory answer, therefore I was onto something. This week I know for sure that I was - they are actually doing it! Let's Print More Money (if only to bail out the economy itself rather than the actual poor).
My mother answered my other most often-asked question, prompted by a 'If you lived in the Third Word, you'd be glad of that' regarding my uneaten greens upon the plate and my generous offer of 'Why don't we send them to them then?' with an eloquent clip round the ear.

Every so often it crosses my mind that I would like to get fit before the body of a gazelle I have always enjoyed and taken for granted shape-shifts into more of a moose. Normally I deal with this idea by having a little lie down until the idea goes away again as I am just not a self-starter on the exercise front, and in the absence of a daily presence in my life to nag/egg me on, I do find it inordinately hard. However you will be pleased to hear I have made a bit of a start and clicked the mouse button two whole times to discover the following dizzying array of local exercise classes available during the coming week via our wonderful local website - every town should have one - Daily Information. Sorry about all the scrolling (well you need a bit of exercise too, admit it!) but I felt impelled to include the details as well as the headings so that you could see that I am not making it up - these are all REAL classes!
*By the way, there's an extra bit of this posting at the end of the list.

Saturday 10th January - Sports and Fitness Listings

Astanga Yoga (Primary Series)
Re-align & detoxify your body & with this ancient practice. All levels welcome.
email: darrylastanga@hotmail.com / Tel. Darryl on 07788 743181
5.30 - 7.00pm, £7.50 (£6)
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Oxford Martial Arts Academy
Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilain Jiu Jitsu, M.M.A , Brazilian Vale Tudo
www.OMAA.org.uk / email: info@omaa.org.uk / Tel. 07906628444 OR 01865 774 998.
6pm - 9.30pm £4.10
381 Cowley Rd

Winter Yoga Workshop Sue Pennington
Harmonise your practice with the season, and recharge your batteries.
email: suepennington@yahoo.com / Tel. 01865 776759
10am - 4pm, £40 / £35 / £30
Thrangu House, 42 Magdalen Road.

Amateur Boxing Oxford Brookes ABC
Train at one of the best University Clubs in the country!
email: oxfordboxing@googlemail.com / Tel. 01993 774407
6.00-7.30p.m
Oxford Brookes University Sport Centre, Cheney Lane, Oxford

Sun 11th Jan — Sports and Fitness Listings

Womens Football Headington Athletic WFC
Headington Athletic WFC welcome new experienced players
www.freewebs.com/headingtonathleticwfc / email: womensfootball@hotmail.co.uk / Tel. 07727277080
Matches 2 or 3pm ko - £3.50 or £1.75 (In full time education or not in work)
The Lord Nuffield Club, William Morris Close, Cowley., OX4 2JX

Jericho Ultimate Frisbee
Fun, fast-paced team game for all ages. ALL abilities welcome!
Tel. 01865 512634
3-5pm - free.
Aristotle Lane rec ground (go up Kingston Road, turn left at the Anchor pub towards Portmeadow, over humpbacked bridge, it's on the left)

Morning Astanga Yoga Classes Bella Galt and Emanuele Rossi
Mysore-style yoga, beginners welcome! Starts on 5th January 2009.
www.astangavinyasaoxford.net / email: yasmin@astangavinyasaoxford.net / Tel. 07967 674 029
6:30 - 9:00 AM
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Antenatal Pilates Ivana Starkova
The best way to prepare your body for the delivery of the baby and improve posture.
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818 062351
10-11am, £15, £70 for 6
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Antenatal Pilates Ivana Starkova
2nd & 3rd trimester - strengthen postural and pelvic floor muscles, ease back pain
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 0781 806 2351
10-11am, £15, £70 for 6
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Post-natal Pilates Ivana Starkova
Exercises designed to strenghten abdominals & pelvic floor muscles, babies welcome
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818062351
11.15 - 12.15pm, £70 for 6
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Walk Oxon 20s 30s Walkers
6 mile walk around Badbury Hill, Coleshill & Faringdon area. Bring packed lunch.
www.oxon2030walkers.org / email: publicity@oxon2030walkers.org / Tel. 07787840342
10am
National trust car park at Badbury Hill, off the B4019 between Faringdon & Coleshill. Grid ref SU263946

Walk Oxon Weekend Walkers
8.5 mile walk around Blewbury area. Bring packed lunch.
www.oxon2030walkers.org / email: publicity@oxon2030walkers.org / Tel. 01235 525529
10.30am
Meet in Blewbury, on A417 near war memorial (western end of village). Please park considerately in village. Grid ref SU527856

Tiger Kung Fu Classes Classic Tiger Kung Fu Club
Classic Chinese Martial Arts: friendly classes suitable for all levels
www.classictigerkungfu.co.uk
2-3:30pm; £3 students; £6 non-students
Centre for Sport, Brookes University, Headington

Mon 12th Jan — Sports and Fitness Listings

Jazzercise In Oxford Join now!
60 min excercise class with the latest music and dances
www.witneyfitness.co.uk / email: helen2weller@hotmail.com
7pm / £6 a session or £16/m
Botley Primary School, Elms Road, West Oxford

Pilates ...with Tiago
45 min to mobilise, strengthen and stretch the back and the whole body.
www.functional-pilates.com / email: tiago.instructor@gmail.com / Tel. 07760444416
13:15-14:00, £8 drop-in, £39 for 6 classes
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Pilates ...withTiago
60 min to mobilise, strengthen and stretch the back and the whole body.
http://functional-pilates.com / email: tiago.instructor@gmail.com / Tel. 07760444416
18:15-19:15, £7 (£6) drop-in
West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Road, OX2 0BT.

Oxford Martial Arts Academy
Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilain Jiu Jitsu, M.M.A , Brazilian Vale Tudo
www.OMAA.org.uk / email: info@omaa.org.uk / Tel. 07906628444 OR 01865 774 998.
6pm - 9.30pm £4.10
381 Cowley Rd

Intermediate & Advanced Qigong Oxford Internal Arts
Head tutors to UK's largest college of Chinese Medicine
www.oxinar.com / email: oxfordinternalarts@googlemail.com / Tel. 07986 621112
6.30-7.30pm
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Intermediate Tai Chi Oxford Internal Arts
Head tutors to UK's largest college of Chinese Medicine
www.oxinar.com / email: oxfordinternalarts@googlemail.com / Tel. 07986 621112
7.30-9.00pm
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Ashtanga Yoga
Mixed ability, led classes. Strong, dynamic, energising yoga. Beginners welcome.
www.sashanorton.co.uk / email: sasha.norton@yahoo.com / Tel. 07710 237162
6.15 - 7.15pm.
Ozone Health & Fitness, nr Kassam Football Stadium (01865) 335300

Pilates Matwork Ivana Starkova
Stott instructor. Improve posture, strengthen lower back & abs,ease back pain. Beginner / intermediate level.
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818062351
7:15-8:15pm / £11, £54 for 6
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Antenatal Pilates Ivana Starkova
2nd & 3rd trimester, work postural & pelvic floor muscles, ease back pain
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818062351
6-7pm, £15 / £70 for 6 weeks
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Kung Fu Fujian White Crane Oxford Club
Traditional Chinese Martial Art. Beginners welcome.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198 698
7.30-8.30pm
East Oxford Community Centre, 44b Princes Street (corner of Cowley Rd), OX4 1DD.

Flamenco Dance Course Oxford Flamenco Academy
Flamenco Classes - Intermediate 7.30pm - 9.00pm, Beginners 8.30pm - 10.00pm
www.oxfordflamencoacademy.co.uk / email: info@oxfordflamencoacademy.co.uk / Tel. 01865 553234 / 07904 260636
North Wall Arts Centre , South Parade, Oxford OX2 7NN; Email: sarahlacey@thenorthwall.com; Tel. 01865 319450.

Cotswold Slimming Club
Help losing weight. No queues. Limited membership. A new choice in Oxford!
www.cotswoldslimmingclubs.co.uk / email: val.collins@cotswoldslimmingclubs.co.uk / Tel. 07528486875
£7.50 register- £5.00 pw 12.30pm
Oxford Playhouse , Beaumont Street; Tel. 305305; Fax: 793748.

Morning Astanga Yoga Classes Bella Galt and Emanuele Rossi
Mysore-style yoga, beginners welcome! Starts on 5th January 2009.
www.astangavinyasaoxford.net / email: yasmin@astangavinyasaoxford.net / Tel. 07967 674 029
6:30 - 9:00 AM
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Yoga Anita Lewis. Restarts 12th Jan
For beginner/experienced students wanting gentle yoga with inner focus.
www.anitalewisyoga.com / email: anita@anitalewisyoga.com / Tel. 07726 841815
6-7.30pm £8/£7 drop-in
South Oxford Community Centre, Lake Street, off Abingdon Rd.

Lunchtime Pilates Class Ivana Starkova
Strengthen abs & lower back, improve posture, ease back pain, intermediate.
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818062351
12.15 - 1pm, £8, £3 for 6
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Pilates Lessons
email: charleyfp@googlemail.com / Tel. 07515770136
6pm-7pm £7 per lesson
South Oxford Community Centre, Lake Street, off Abingdon Rd.

Ananda Yoga
Tibetan yoga.
Tel. Emilia, 07776092373
Beginners and mixed ability. 7pm - 8pm, £65/term or £7 (£5) drop in
Methodist Church Hall (East Oxford), Corner of Cowley Road and Jeune Street.

Ladies Only Kung Fu Class FWC Oxford Club
Ladies Only Martial Arts class - great introduction for beginners.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198698
7.30-8.30pm
Headington Community Centre, Gladstone Road, OX3 8LL.

Womens Boxercise Oxford Womens Boxercise
Get Fit, Burn Fat, Relieve Stress.
email: faz1@fsmail.net / Tel. 01993 774407
6.15-7.15 p.m
Headington Community Centre, Gladstone Road, OX3 8LL.

Tue 13th Jan — Sports and Fitness Listings
Oxford Martial Arts Academy

Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilain Jiu Jitsu, M.M.A , Brazilian Vale Tudo
www.OMAA.org.uk / email: info@omaa.org.uk / Tel. 07906628444 OR 01865 774 998.
6pm - 9.30pm £4.10
381 Cowley Rd

Taoist Breathing & Meditation Oxford Internal Arts
Head tutors to UK's largest college of Chinese Medicine
www.oxinar.com / email: oxfordinternalarts@googlemail.com / Tel. 07986 621112
6.00-6.45pm
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Tai Chi & Qigong Complete Foundation Oxford Internal Arts
Head tutors to UK's largest college of Chinese Medicine
www.oxinar.com / email: oxfordinternalarts@googlemail.com / Tel. 07986 621112
6.00-7.30pm
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Tai Chi & Qigong Student Class Oxford Internal Arts
Head tutors to UK's largest college of Chinese Medicine
www.oxinar.com / email: oxfordinternalarts@googlemail.com / Tel. 07986 621112
7.30-9.00pm
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Ashtanga Yoga
Mixed ability, led classes. Strong, dynamic, energising yoga. Beginners welcome.
www.sashanorton.co.uk / email: sasha.norton@yahoo.com / Tel. 07710 237162
6pm - 7.15pm, £7 (£5.60)
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Pilates Beginners: Level 1 Wolff Fitness
Stott Pilates. Get a flat stomach, strengthen your back and improve posture.
email: pilates@wolfffitness.co.uk / Tel. 07771 923318
7.30pm, £35 for 5 sessions
Parish Church Hall, Avenue Rd, Kennington

Pilates Beginners: Level 1 Wolff Fitness

Stott Pilates. Get a flat stomach, strengthen your back and improve posture.
email: pilates@wolfffitness.co.uk / Tel. 07771 923318
10am, £40 for 5 sessions
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Suang Yang Fujian White Crane Oxford Club
Soft and gentle martial art famed for its health benefits. Beginners welcome.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198 698
6.30-7.30pm
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Kung Fu Fujian White Crane Oxford Club
Traditional Chinese Martial Art. Beginners welcome.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198 698
7.30-8.30pm
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Korfball: Mixed Sex Team Sport Didcot Dragons Korfball Club
A mixed sex team game which is like both netball + basketball. Beginners welcome.
www.geocities.com/didcotkorfball/ / email: didcotkorfball@hotmail.co.uk / Tel. 07796 388776
7:30-9pm, £5 per week
Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Didcot

Pilates Matwork For Beginners Ivana Starkova
Progression from post-natal Pilates class, improve posture, babies welcome.
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818062351
11.45am-12.45pm, £11, £54 for 6
West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Road, OX2 0BT.

Intermediate Yoga Class Sue Pennington
Deepen your practice. Asana/pranayama/relaxation.
email: suepennington@yahoo.com / Tel. 01865 776759
6 - 8pm, £10/£9/£8
Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, OX4 1GH.

Morning Astanga Yoga Classes Bella Galt and Emanuele Rossi
Mysore-style yoga, beginners welcome! Starts on 5th January 2009.
www.astangavinyasaoxford.net / email: yasmin@astangavinyasaoxford.net / Tel. 07967 674 029
6:30 - 9:00 AM
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Hatha Yoga Anita Lewis
For beginners /experienced students wanting gentle yoga with inner focus.
www.anitalewisyoga.com / email: anita@anitalewisyoga.com / Tel. 07726 841815
6-7.15pm £8/£7 (£42/6 weeks)
St. Albans Hall, Charles St

Yoga Anita Lewis
Meditative postures and breath focusing on inner awareness.
www.anitalewisyoga.com / email: anita@anitalewisyoga.com / Tel. 07726 841815
7.30-9pm, 6 weeks £45
St. Albans Hall, Charles St, OX4

Classical Tai Chi And Chi Kung Oxford T'ai Chi Ch'uan Assoc.
Learn classical Yang Family Style Tai Chi and Chi Kung for health and wellbeing.
www.iffleyacupunctureclinic.co.uk / email: moonrise@globalnet.co.uk / Tel. 01865 778448
7.00-9.00pm £80/10 week term
Cowley Road Methodist Church

Active Body and Mind
Yoga for over 50s.
Tel. Emilia, 07776092373
£1.50 (inc. drink and sandwich), 10 - 11am
The Clock House, Nightingale Avenue, Greater Leys

Korfball: Mixed Sex Team Sport Oxford Isis Korfball Club
Fun, sociable team sport, like Handball/Basketball but better! Beginners welcome.
http://oxfordisis.co.uk / email: info@oxfordisis.co.uk
7 - 8.30 pm, try for free!
Matthew Arnold School, Arnolds Way, Oxford OX2 9JE

Womens Boxercise
Get Fit, Burn Fat, Relieve Stress.
email: faz1@fsmail.net / Tel. 01993 774407
7.00 - 8.00 pm
Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney

Tai Chi Chuan Oxford Tai Chi
Martial Arts training inc Push Hands and San Shou, Fitness Health and have fun!
www.oxfordtaichi / email: davetaichi@gmail / Tel. 01865724669
7.30-9.30pm £7/£5
East Oxford Community Centre, 44b Princes Street (corner of Cowley Rd), OX4 1DD.

Oxford Tai Chi Oxford Tai Chi Cuan
Taichi chuan martial art training inc push hands and san shou plus hand form
www.oxfordtaichi.com / email: davetaichi@gmail.com / Tel. 01865724669
7.30-9.30pm £7(£5)
East Oxford Community Centre, 44b Princes Street (corner of Cowley Rd), OX4 1DD.

Wed 14th Jan — Sports and Fitness Listings

Oxford Martial Arts Academy
Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilain Jiu Jitsu, M.M.A , Brazilian Vale Tudo
www.OMAA.org.uk / email: info@omaa.org.uk / Tel. 07906628444 OR 01865 774 998.
6pm - 9.30pm £4.10
381 Cowley Rd

Tai Chi & Qigong Complete Foundation Oxford Internal Arts
Head tutors to UK's largest college of Chinese Medicine
www.oxinar.com / email: oxfordinternalarts@googlemail.com / Tel. 07986 621112
6.00-7.30pm
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Taoist Breathing & Meditation Oxford Internal Arts
Head tutors to UK's largest college of Chinese Medicine
www.oxinar.com / email: oxfordinternalarts@googlemail.com / Tel. 07986 621112
6.00-6.45pm
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Intermediate Taoist Meditation Oxford Internal Arts
Head tutors to UK's largest college of Chinese Medicine
www.oxinar.com / email: oxfordinternalarts@googlemail.com / Tel. 07986 621112
7.30-9.00pm
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Bicycle Polo
The sport of kings, played on bikes.
email: oxfordbikepolo@gmail.com
8:30 every Wednesday. Free!
Curry's Parking Lot, Botley Rd.

Intermediate Pilates Matwork Ivana Starkova
Stott instructor. Improve posture, strengthen abs & lower back, prevent back pain
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818062351
6-7pm / £54 for 6 weeks
North Oxford Association, Diamond Place, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7DP.

Oxford Ladies Rugby Oxford Rugby Football Club
Ladies, come and learn how to play Rugby, everyone welcome!
www.oxfordrfc.co.uk / email: lill_jenni@yahoo.co.uk
7-9 pm
Oxford RFC grounds are in North Hinksey Village, Oxford, off the A34.

Astanga-inspired Dynamic Yoga Lissa Rodd Oxford Yoga
Fun & challenging yoga flow: for strength & flexibility, meditation & happiness.
www.lissarodd-oxfordyoga.net / email: lissa2516@yahoo.co.uk / Tel. 01865 426348
6:30-8pm / £8/£6.50 regulars' discount
St Alban's Hall, Charles Street (off Iffley Road), OX4 3AU

New Year Women's Cardio Class Aurora Personal Fitness
Lose weight & develop strength and flexibility in an all abilities dynamic class
email: crystaljapan@hotmail.com / Tel. 07730 941781
7-8pm, £4.50, £21 for 6
South Oxford Community Centre, Lake Street, off Abingdon Rd.

Morning Astanga Yoga Classes Bella Galt and Emanuele Rossi
Mysore-style yoga, beginners welcome! Starts on 5th January 2009.
www.astangavinyasaoxford.net / email: yasmin@astangavinyasaoxford.net / Tel. 07967 674 029
6:30 - 9:00 AM
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Introduction To Astanga Yoga Please contact Yasmin Andrew
Mysore-style Classes for beginners. Six week course starts 7th January 2009.
www.astangavinyasaoxford.net / email: yasmin@astangavinyasaoxford.net / Tel. 07967674029
6:15 PM, £48 for six weeks
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Relaxation And Yoga. Anita Lewis
Gentle yoga for women in a safe, peaceful environment. Bring a mat/blanket.
www.anitalewisyoga.com / email: anita@anitalewisyoga.com
4.30-5.30. Free. Women Only
Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, OX4 1GH.

Lunchtime Pilates Class Ivana tarkova
Strenghten abs & lower back, improve posture, ease back pain, intermediate.
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818062351
12.15 - 1pm, £8, £39 for 6
Old Fire Station, George Street

Ananda Yoga/Tibetan yoga.
Tel. Emilia, 07776092373
Beginners and complete beginners. 7pm - 8pm, £65/term or £7 (£5) drop in
Methodist Church Hall (East Oxford), Corner of Cowley Road and Jeune Street.

Beginners Kung Fu FWC Oxford Club
A new class for beginners in Fujian White Crane Kung Fu.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198 698
7.30-8.30pm
South Oxford Community Centre, Lake Street, off Abingdon Rd.

Womens Boxercise Oxford Womens Boxercise
Get Fit, Burn Fat, Relieve Stress.
email: faz1@fsmail.net / Tel. 01993 774407
8.00-9.00p.m
Summertown Church Hall, Portland Rd, Oxford, OX2 7EZ

Yoga Meditation Relaxation
Gently paced. Classic Iyengar/Ashtanga postures, focus on alignment and breath.
email: lauramansberger@yahoo.co.uk / Tel. 0796 348 2779
Wednesdays: 6:30-8:00pm. £6/£5
Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, OX4 1GH.

Oxford Tai Chi Oxford Tai Chi Chuan
Health Posture Correct Composure Relaxation Fitness Flexibility Gung and Form
www.oxfordtaichi.com / email: davetaichi@gmail.com / Tel. 01865724669
6.30-8pm £7 (£5)
East Oxford Community Centre, 44b Princes Street (corner of Cowley Rd), OX4 1DD.

Thu 15th Jan — Sports and Fitness Listings

Buggyfit
Postnatal fitness class for mums and babies
www.buggyfit.co.uk / email: liz@expectingresults.co.uk / Tel. 07979341574
Thursdays 2-3pm. £4.50
Albert Park, Abingdon

Yoga (mixed ability) Sue Pennington
All welcome, including beginners. Stretching, strengthening, relaxing.
email: suepennington@yahoo.com / Tel. 01865 776759
6-7.30pm / £8/£7/£6
Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, OX4 1GH.

Jazzercise In Oxford Join now!
60 min excercise class with the latest music and dances
www.witneyfitness.co.uk / email: helen2weller@hotmail.com
7pm / £6 a session or £16/m
Botley Primary School, Elms Road, West Oxford

Pilates ...with Tiago
60 min to mobilise, strengthen and stretch the back and the whole body. 6 week course
www.functional-pilates.com / email: tiago.instructor@gmail.com / Tel. 07760444416
19:15-20:15, £45
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Oxford Martial Arts AcademyMuay Thai, Boxing, Brazilain Jiu Jitsu, M.M.A , Brazilian Vale Tudo
www.OMAA.org.uk / email: info@omaa.org.uk / Tel. 07906628444 OR 01865 774 998.
6pm - 9.30pm £4.10
381 Cowley Rd

Womens Football Headington Athletic WFCHeadington Athletic WFC welcome new experienced players
www.freewebs.com/headingtonathleticwfc / email: womensfootball@hotmail.co.uk / Tel. 07727277080
Training evenings £2.50 or £1.25 (In full time education or not in work)
The Lord Nuffield Club, William Morris Close, Cowley., OX4 2JX

Ashtanga Yoga
Mixed ability, led classes. Strong, dynamic, energising yoga. Beginners welcome.
www.sashanorton.co.uk / email: sasha.norton@yahoo.com / Tel. 07710 237162
10:30-12:00 / Enquire for prices
Ferry Sports Centre , off Marston Ferry Road, Summertown; Tel. 01865 467060.

Pilates Beginners: Level 1 Wolff Fitness
Stott Pilates. Get a flat stomach, strengthen your back and improve posture.
email: pilates@wolfffitness.co.uk / Tel. 07771 923318
9.30am, £35 for 5 sessions
Parish Church Hall, Avenue Rd, Kennington

Pilates Beginners: Level 1 Wolff Fitness
Stott Pilates. Get a flat stomach, strengthen your back and improve posture.
email: pilates@wolfffitness.co.uk / Tel. 07771 923318
6pm, £40 for 5 sessions
Holiday Inn Hotel, Peartree Roundabout, Woodstock Road, OX2 8JD.

Suang Yang Fujian White Crane Oxford Club
Soft and gentle martial art famed for its health benefits. Beginners welcome.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198 698
6.30-7.30pm
East Oxford Community Centre, 44b Princes Street (corner of Cowley Rd), OX4 1DD.

Kung Fu Fujian White Crane Oxford Club
Traditional Chinese Martial Art. Beginners welcome.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198 698
5.30-6.20pm (children), 7.30-8.30pm adults
East Oxford Community Centre, 44b Princes Street (corner of Cowley Rd), OX4 1DD.

Private Yoga Lessons Olivia Henderson at Eau de Vie
Learn balance in body and in mind. Suitable for any level of fitness and ability. With a British Wheel of Yoga accredited teacher.
www.eau-de-vie.co.uk / email: info@eau-de-vie.co.uk / Tel. 01865 200678
9.30 - 12.30pm £45 1 Hour/ £65 1.5 Hours
Eau de Vie, 34 Cowley Road, OX4 1HZ

Astanga-inspired Dynamic Yoga Lissa Rodd Oxford YogaFun & challenging yoga flow: for strength & flexibility, meditation & happiness.
www.lissarodd-oxfordyoga.net / email: lissa2516@yahoo.co.uk / Tel. 01865 426348
6:30-8pm / £8/£6.50 regulars' discount
St Alban's Hall, Charles Street (off Iffley Road), OX4 3AU

Pilates Matwork For Beginners Ivana StarkovaStott Instructor - strengthen abs, improve posture, ease back pain.
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 0781 8062351
6-7pm, £11, £54 for 6
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Pole Fitness Beginners CoursePole Fitness is a great way of keeping fit. Please ring or email for further info. 8 Week course.
email: lynnspolefitness@hotmail.co.uk / Tel. 07527170014
8.30-9.45pm, £12 per lesson or £85 for Course
Abingdon Dance Studios

Capoeira - Senzala
Brazilian martial art combining fighting techniques with acrobatics and music.
Tel. 07935 023534 (Andreas)
6.30-8.00pm, £5.
St Michael's Church Hall, Portland Road, Summertown, OX2 7EZ

Morning Astanga Yoga Classes Bella Galt and Emanuele Rossi
Mysore-style yoga, beginners welcome! Starts on 5th January 2009.
www.astangavinyasaoxford.net / email: yasmin@astangavinyasaoxford.net / Tel. 07967 674 029
6:30 - 9:00 AM
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Adult Squash Coaching Ferry Sports Centre
Looking to try something new? Learn how to play Squash
www.oxford.gov.uk/leisure/ferry-sports-centre.cfm / email: ferrysc@oxford.gov.uk / Tel. 01865 467060
7.00 - 8.00pm Beginners, 8.00 - 9.00pm Improvers. Prices from £39.60 - £45.00
Ferry Sports Centre , off Marston Ferry Road, Summertown; Tel. 01865 467060.

Jivamukti Yoga
Dynamic flowing yoga with Nigel Farrar. All welcome.
email: nigelaf@hotmail.com / Tel. 07771 515327
6.30 - 8pm, £8 (£6)
St. Alban's Church hall, Charles St. (off Iffley Rd)

Korfball: Mixed Sex Team Sport Oxford City Korfball Club
Fun, sociable team sport, like netball/basketball but better! Beginners welcome.
www.oxfordcitykorfballclub.co.uk / email: chairperson@oxfordkorfball.com
6.30 - 8.00 pm, try for free!
Oxford School, Glanville Rd.

Tiger Kung Fu Classes Classic Tiger Kung Fu Club
Classic Chinese Martial Arts: friendly classes suitable for all levels
www.classictigerkungfu.co.uk
7-8:30pm; £3 students; £6 non-students
Centre for Sport, Brookes University, Headington

David Lloyd Tai Chi Oxford Tai Chi ChuanComplete tai chi chuan classes open to all inc non members
www.oxfordtaichi.com / email: davetaichi@gmail / Tel. 01865724669
7-9pm £7 to non members
David Lloyd Oxford

Post-natal Pilates Class Ivana Starkova
Strenghten abs & pelvic floor muscles, babies welcome.
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 0781806 2351
12-1pm, £70 for 6 weeks
North Oxford Association, Diamond Place, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7DP.

Fri 16th Jan — Sports and Fitness Listings

Oxford Martial Arts Academy
Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilain Jiu Jitsu, M.M.A , Brazilian Vale Tudo
www.OMAA.org.uk / email: info@omaa.org.uk / Tel. 07906628444 OR 01865 774 998.
6pm - 9.30pm £4.10
381 Cowley Rd

Suang Yang Fujian White Crane Oxford Club
Soft and gentle martial art famed for its health benefits. Beginners welcome.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198 698
6.30-7.30pm
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Kung Fu Fujian White Crane Oxford Club
Traditional Chinese Martial Art. Beginners welcome.
www.fwckungfu.com / email: stefanw@fwckungfu.com / Tel. 07957 198 698
7.30-8.30pm
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Astanga-inspired Dynamic Yoga Lissa Rodd Oxford Yoga
Fun & challenging yoga flow: for strength & flexibility, meditation & happiness.
www.lissarodd-oxfordyoga.net / email: lissa2516@yahoo.co.uk / Tel. 01865 426348
6:30-8pm / £8/£6.50 regulars' discount
St Alban's Hall, Charles Street (off Iffley Road), OX4 3AU

Free Taster Session Tatty Bumpkin Oxford
Yoga inspired classes for children 2-5. Educational and FUN!!!
www.oxford.tattybumpkin.com / email: classes@oxford.tattybumpkin.com / Tel. 0845 6801519 or 07929 288964
10.30 & 11.30am FREE!!!!!
Summertown Church Hall, Corner of Banbury & Portland Rds, Summertown, OX2 7EZ.

Yoga Classes Yoga in Oxford
Yoga for energy, balance and peace of mind. Drop-in class; all welcome
www.yogainoxford.co.uk / email: joannajeczalik@yahoo.com / Tel. 01865 453307
6 - 7.15pm, £5.50, £4.50 concs
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Morning Astanga Yoga Classes Bella Galt and Emanuele Rossi
Mysore-style yoga, beginners welcome! Starts on 5th January 2009.
www.astangavinyasaoxford.net / email: yasmin@astangavinyasaoxford.net / Tel. 07967 674 029
6:30 - 9:00 AM
Yoga Garden, Behind Cibo's (on the right), South Parade, Summertown.

Hatha Yoga Hazel Faithfull
All Welcome. Mixed ability classes combining breath movement and relaxation.
www.hazelfaithfull.co.uk / email: oxford.yoga@yahoo.co.uk / Tel. 07931 743785
10 - 11.30am six weeks £42. Drop in £9
Abbey rooms, Guildhall, Abingdon

Improver's Yoga Course Luisa Rennie
Build strength, flexibility and focus with a view to developing self practice.
www.oxfordyogalotus.co.uk / email: luisajane@hotmail.com / Tel. 07905241123
6-7.30pm, £42 for six weeks
United Reformed Church (Summertown), 274a Banbury Road (opposite South Parade).

Therapeutic Yoga Anita Lewis
Gentle movement, breath, relaxation to restore and enhance well being.
www.eau-de-vie.co.uk / email: anita@anitalewisyoga.com / Tel. 07726 841815
Tailored to the individual.
Eau De Vie, 34 Cowley Road

Lunchtime Pilates Class Ivana Starkova
Strenghten abs & lower back, ease back pain, improve posture, beginners.
www.ispilates.co.uk / email: enquiries@ispilates.co.uk / Tel. 07818062351
12.15 - 1pm, £8, £39 for 6
Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street.

Ananda Yoga
Tibetan yoga, beginners and mixed ability.
Tel. Emilia, 07776092373
4pm - 5pm. £65 / 12 sessions; £7 (£5) drop in
South Oxford Community Centre, Lake Street, off Abingdon Rd.

Phew I'm exhausted just looking at them all! Bicycle Polo or Pole Dancing though... what do you think? I shall spare you the almost as dizzying list of local dance classes - though they are also on the Daily Information site if you're curious. Then there's every kind of Baby Gym and Baby College for that insecure flabby little underachieving tyke of yours who's just desperate to shed his baby weight and win the Pulitzer whilst still in nappies.

Talking of literary awards, I am delighted to see that one of my favourite writers, Diana Athill, has just won the Costa award at the age of 91. Hope for all we late starters and late overnight successes yet I think!
I first stumbled upon the writings of this impressive grande dame of literature some ten years ago as a volunteer in Oxfam Bookshop when her first autobiography 'Instead of A Letter' caught my eye when shelf-tidying. To this day I cannot explain why I picked it up as the jacket was rather bland and unremarkable. The contents however were anything but as she poignantly (but without a trace of self-indulgence) detailed her childhood and early adulthood from a family bosom of decaying English grandeur to the war years in the most beautiful detail with a depth of understanding and objectivity chronicalling all her loves and losses seldom seen, not to mention remarkable candour. She was a mere stripling of 46 when the book was published in 1963 and in-between a distinguished career as a literary editor for Andre Deutsche and others, has written a number of memoirs about the stages of her life since, including the excellent 'Stet' about her long history as a Literary Editor and what really goes on in the publishing world and its changes over the 20th Century. She has latterly cornered the market in what it is like to grow old in unflinching detail, but again with the most extraordinary and compelling grace. And she is perfectly right - far too much is written about being young compared to the virtually nothing that is written about being old, no matter that youth is such a fleeting state and small percentage of life compared to the remainder. Thus humanity needs to learn to love and value itself for the duration, and not just when at its most physically fit and desirable. The old are, as Ms Athill says, 'Reservoirs of experience' with a lot more to offer than they are often given credit for in the Western world. Certainly there is no going gentle into that good night for Ms Athill.