Contactless World

Some individuals may feel they already live in a contactless world, without meaningful relationships in their lives, and even going days without talking to another human being, particularly if constrained by physical or mental health issues.

Many doubtless lack the comforting touch of a pet, never mind a human being. Moreover, it may have nothing to do with age. There is an alarming rise in depression and loneliness in the young too, no matter that their Facebook output may paint a picture of enviable perfection. Even a third of middle-aged Brits are now living alone.

Well here is the bad news. The world is set to get a whole lot more contactless.

We have become a more tolerant society to those who might once have found themselves on the margins (and rightly so), but meantime we have seen families, churches, communities and most elements that used to bind people together and offer a solid support structure swept away. Nor does a job for life exist any more.

In a so-called green age, we have seen the rise of the ruthless and throwaway society which extends to people too - at both ends of life. We are constantly encouraged to 'get over' and 'move on' irrespective of whether we are mourning a relationship break up or a deceased loved one. Most of us now spend more time on social media exchanging opinions and funny photos with random strangers than we do nurturing our real life friends and relationships. Social media also gives the opportunity for some anonymous trolling, when not virtue-signalling or falling out with someone over some trivial difference of opinion. It is no accident that mental health issues have risen in almost direct proportion to screen addiction.

Meantime the creep of the cashless society is afoot. Forget maintaining control over your finances, Silicon Valley won't stop driving cash out of town until they own us, lock, stock and barrel and can charge what they want for all the currently free services they have got us addicted to and on every other transaction too. Not so long ago the banks ruled the world. Then they became casinos and crashed, leaving the pitch wide open to the electronic players.

Some people call this 'progress' but I think we swallow the sugar-coated pill called 'convenience' at our peril. If cash goes, we will see even more social isolation and societal disenfranchisement. From children no longer receiving pocket money to homeless and other vulnerable individuals suffering and starving and charity donations taking a nosedive. The excuse is that banning cash will destroy the black economy and force everyone to pay their taxes leading to a more equal society, though as long as corporations are let off the hook and Russian gangsters are allowed to buy up half of London, this is patently untrue. Notwithstanding, preliminary trials and experiments in other countries have demonstrated that the black economy simply goes underground and finds a new way to operate, just as it always has, even if they have to start using another currency or create their own. In the legal world going paperless can backfire as we have seen with the road tax disc which used to have to be prominently displayed in every vehicle by law. Since scrapping this paper disc in 2014, yet continuing to require all vehicle keepers to carry on buying it in ethereal form, our government has lost £80m in revenue and counting. If no vehicle displays one, where is a parking enforcer to start in scanning every last vehicle on a daily basis to ensure compliance? Particularly when they have parking ticket targets to reach!

I have never been more grateful to see my new (and probably last) cheque book arrive in the post this morning. I may not write many cheques, but I still value them for some transactions but what I value even more is having the CHOICE as a consumer. When I grew up (not so long ago), being issued with your first cheque book was an important right of passage into the adult world. Credit cards were generally used for big ticket items and travel and only tended to be issued to home owners in their forties. No one my age had one.

So not content with the attack on the cheque book (thankfully postponed owing to public outcry), we see our bank and Post Office branches closing down, our free ATM's under threat and our bank notes reduced to toy town money. Meanwhile our parking machines are being turned into card/phone payment only, travel  and theatre ticket office closures force us to use our cards and pay 'booking fees' and we are propelled to the self-service checkouts in stores (contactless) and encouraged to use contactless cards (despite the warnings of security experts) so that onlife shopping becomes as soulless as online shopping.

Electronic payments may be seen as convenient by some, but what happens when they go wrong and you have a faceless non-accountable organisation to argue with to get your overpayment back? A mistake on a card is so much harder to rectify than getting the wrong change back in a cash transaction. And let's not forget the fees, fees, fees on virtually every transaction, as if they are doing you a favour by sacking all their staff and replacing them with machines! In addition I have seen so many passengers with bus ticket apps whose phones fail them when getting on a bus to the point they often have to pay cash anyway! I have also never bought a train ticket online or via a machine which was cheaper than the one I queued to pay a clerk in a booth for, a human being who can advise me on the best prices, times and routes. Self-service is NOT service. I may not be an old lady yet, reliant on a shop transaction as my only human interaction of the day, but as a human being I still demand to be served by other human beings. We have also seen whole systems brought to a halt by hackers and this risk can only increase, aside from all the individual cases of online fraud, which experts admit, are becoming ever cleverer and harder to avert. But at least the banks are currently obliged to try to offer some assistance and compensation. Who will help and protect consumers when Silicon Valley has taken their place and they operate entirely outside UK legislation?

Anyway. let's not kid ourselves. All the free goodies we enjoy on the internet now are but a 'gateway drug'  to lead us up the garden path to the hardcore reality of a contactless, control-less future which not only charges us at every turn but can cut us off electronically and condemn us to an electronic gulag cast out from society if we do anything to displease its masters! Hence I am writing this blog while I can!

The sexual world has become such a minefield, society almost deems it more desirable to go contactless there too, with live webcam shows and pernicious free porn, lest the brush of a real life knee or waist is misinterpreted, and which can doubtless only lead to disappointment after a hardcore porn addiction, when it is not! On a related note, the teenage pregnancy rate in UK has almost halved since the advent of social media as young girls would seemingly rather flirt online than meet boys in real life. Online, girls can control their image, so presumably those who don't match up to their glamorous photo-shopped selfies or made up personas can stay safe!

Finally, lest we get any ideas about remaining in the driving seat of our own lives, we have the joys of self-driving vehicles being foisted upon us - ostensibly to prevent accidents - but in reality we will most certainly be tracked and charged for whatever by whomever at will and there won't be a damn thing we can do about it! And what if the car is still involved in an accident or traffic violation? Who or what will be held responsible?

I can't wait!

Meantime I shall carry on being the cash backlash, watching my old skool DVD/VHS collection, reading my paper books (mine, all mine, for you never own electronic data!), meeting friends IRL (in real life) and supporting my High Street, whilst ensuring I keep my mobile notifications firmly switched OFF, for that way madness lies. Nor have I any intention of ever connecting my mobile phone to my bank account and indulging in phone apps. It may not be off-grid living exactly, but I choose real life insofar as it still exists. As the famous scene in Network declares; 'I'm a human being goddammit!'

For those who share my concern that we are sleepwalking into an unelected world we have diminishing personal control over under the guise of 'progress', I recommend reading The War Against Cash by Ross Clark and Done by Jacques Peretti. (available in all good bookshops too - support them while they last!)

£3.50 for a cup of tea guv?

'Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.' So wrote Charles Dickens in his 1849 novel, David Copperfield.

How I can relate to those words. It seems to have been a financially ruinous time just lately, notwithstanding I am earning less in my current job than I used to. The MOT, insurance and road tax on my car was all just about budgetted for but then my hot water tank decided to split (which my insurance won't cover as they consider it a 'wear and tear' issue) and my laptop decided to go haywire and one of my back teeth decided it needed a crown. Meantime my home insurance is rapidly approaching, my home needs reinsulating before the winter and the telly has now decided to go on the blink! And did I mention the five faults they found on the car which whilst not preventing it passing its MOT will need attention before long? Then there was the unfair parking ticket which I failed to get repealed and which mounted. As for that defunct garden pond with no water remaining in it, well that is last on the list.

Despite not smoking, drinking or indulging in designer handbags or exotic travel, and inhabiting cheaper housing than many, I seem to be spending money at a much faster rate than I am earning it at the moment. If I had a child I would probably have to sell it to a wealthy American couple.

All get rich quick ideas gratefully received...

Unfortunately I was rejected as a People's Peer, where I could probably have lived off the expenses alone.

I do find myself spending an inordinate amount of time watching people in city centres lately and wondering how they all seem to be able to afford whatever they want. Luckily most current fashion is too hideous and unflattering to possibly tempt me and I am old enough to know expensive cosmetics are no more magical than high street own brands.

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.

My Sweeping NHS Reforms

In the event of waking up one morning and discovering I'm still Minister for Health (sick fantasy I know!), here are my reforms for saving public money by spending the NHS budget more wisely & hopefully breathing new life into our once 'envy-of-the-world';

1. Clean existing hospitals instead of building a new one every time an old one gets dirty! With the money saved, the newly-gleaming hospital could employ enough staff!

2. Bring back Matron and real bedside nursing, including help with eating for the malnourished and soon-to-become malnourished. Preventing MRSA would also save money, lives and su-age.

3. Reinstate in-house nursing, cleaning, maintenance and catering staff and jettison outside and agency contractors (who are never cheaper and invariably don't offer the same loyalty, accountability and continuity of care of direct employees.).

4. Counsel male-to-female transsexuals that there are enough lonely middle-aged women in the world, whereas sensitive men in touch with their feelings who haven't castrated themselves and might prove a positive role model to young fatherless males will always have a USP & plenty of market takers!

5. Issue free non-slip slippers to all over-60's (the clue's in the name!) to prevent up to 40% of trips and falls resulting in broken hips, legs and invariably lengthy, painful and expensive hospital stays.

6. Convert or rebuild the numerous derelict buildings to be found on every hospital site into affordable short-medium term housing for staff, particularly those starting out in their careers.

7. Women seeking NHS abortions and women seeking NHS fertility treatment to share hospital waiting rooms...

8. Issue free multi-vitamins to pensioners and offer free home visits from dieticians to go through their cupboards and advise on diet. Up to 60% of senility is exacerbated by vitamin deficiency owing to a narrowed/restricted diet, such as the unrecommended tea and apple pie diet adopted by my grandmother in her final years.

9. Ensure ALL PATIENTS get the latest drugs and treatments to reduce money lost through re-admission rates and also patients' families suing when a patient has died or their condition worsened by an outmoded drug or treatment. And if a patient has nothing to lose anyway, why not let them try clinically unproven drugs if they wish to, so long as they accept the risks and sign the disclaimers? Seven years development is a long time to wait for each new drug if you haven't got seven years and the new drug in question may be your only ray of hope!

10. Bring back convalescent homes for patients who have completed the high-tech or surgical side of their care and just need several weeks nursing, good diet, physiotherapy etc until fully recovered to go home. Too many re-admissions are caused by premature patient discharge to free essential beds.

11. Make ALL hospitals clean, friendly and competant - people don't want to have to analyse the respective merits of hospital league table results before calling the ambulance in mid-collapse with a heart attack!

12. Give carers all the respite and support they need to carry on caring for the long term sick and disabled in their own homes. Carers are heroes, saving the government countless millions, and will amply reward any money invested in them. In fact why not make personal full-time caring a proper career option with proper pay, holidays etc? This would still be considerably cheaper and better for patients than government nursing care and indeed enable more families to be able to afford to leave their day jobs to look after loved ones and relations at home.

13. Forget about refusing treatment to anyone born pre-1948 founding of the NHS. Everyone born up to 1948 (and probably for some time beyond as well) was PROMISED care 'from the cradle to the grave'. I'm amazed no one's sued via the European Court of Human Rights for breach of promise on this. Rather shabby treatment of a generation who helped win World War II to boot!

14. Nearly £2k per capita is paid into the NHS kitty each year for our healthcare. Every Christmas why not offer £200 per person cashback if they have not needed hospital treatment that year? Great incentive to keep healthy and it would help them recover after Christmas, both financially and emotionally.

15. All staff working in the NHS to speak adequate English and possess reasonable handwriting skills to avoid treatment mistakes.

16. Free life-coaching for any patient who asks re diet, exercise and lifestyle. Lifecoaches also to tour all schools.

17. No hospital doctor to work a shift of longer than 12 hours.

18. All foreign nationals to be charged for healthcare unless they have lived, worked and paid taxes in UK for two years.

19. Audit and defenestrate if necessary, any surplus layers of hospital management.

20. Regular case meetings on patients and their conditions and an automatic right to a second opinion for any patient unhappy with their diagnosis.

NB Unlike some, I have no issue with smokers and drinkers requiring repeat treatment as no matter what state they are in as a result of their own actions, they will have paid this many times over in booze and fag tax. If the government is not re-allocating this tax money to their healthcare, that is something they should address. In addition should fatty foods also be taxed with the taxes being ploughed back into the NHS to treat the obese? The problem of recreational drugs and all their societal fall-out shall be mused at a later date.