Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Oxford's Noticeboards

noticeboard
ˈnəʊtɪsbɔːd/
noun
BRITISH
plural noun: notice-boards
  1. a board for displaying notices.
    "the term's list of lectures has been put on the noticeboard"
    synonyms: pinboard,cork board, 

Throughout Oxford there is a distinctly efficient and very low tech method of advertising concerts, lectures, and other events.  At various places throughout the city, you will find plywood boards leaning against old walls, trees, or fences, advertising the plethora of events for the week.  It is common to hear people say, "I saw on the boards..." or, "Check the boards to see what is on". 

 

Oxford has 38 college and 6 permanent private halls.  Each of these colleges have choirs, theatre groups, musical and dance groups, etc. Most colleges also arrange for various professional musicians, orchestras, or ensembles to perform on their campus sometime during the year.  A colleges town is fun to live in because there is always so many performances by the students and for the students.  In Oxford, you have a college town multiplied by 44 different institutions offering their own performances, lectures, and events throughout the year. It's a lot to keep track of, let alone attend. I don't think I will ever live anywhere again that has the weekly smorgasbord of musical, theatrical, and intellectual events to attend each week. The "Boards" are a brilliant, low cost, and flexible way to advertise them all.  


Now, if you will excuse me, I'm off to check the boards.  








Saturday, March 19, 2016

Magdalen College at Oxford

The first college you see when you come down the London Road from Headington and enter Oxford is Magdalen College, with it's iconic and beautiful bell tower towering over the skyline.  It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful colleges in Oxford.  It was founded in 1448 by William of Waynflete, a New College man. Owing to royal and other gifts, Magdalen became the richest college in Oxford by the reign of Henry VIII.


Today it is known for it's beautiful 15 century buildings, the bell tower,  the 500-year-old tradition of singing Latin Hymns from the Bell Tower each 1st of May,  and the stunning grounds, Addison walk, and dear park.


The college is situated amid 100 acres of woodlands, riverside (Cherwell) walks, gardens and a tranquil Deer Park.




Magdalen Bridge



Hallway of the Cloister Quadrangle



The magnificent Cloister Quadrangle


The Founders Tower



The gargoyles in the Cloister Quad represent virtues and vises ... mostly vises as far as I could tell. I'd love to see this wisteria in full bloom.


Looking across to the deer park


The New Building was built across a large lawn to the north of the Great Quad beginning in 1733. Its spacious setting is due to the builders' intentions to create an entirely new quad, but only one side was completed.





The Longwell Quad building


This is the new library and garden court. It was  built to intagrate with the old library and it's simply stunning.  


Not so old Gargoyles of the two heads of college at Magdalen College



Formal and informal meals are taken in the mediaeval dining Hall, which is located on the first floor above the Cloisters. 




The Old Kitchen Bar is the oldest building on site, dating from the 1300s. It is the former location of the College kitchens and evidence of the original fireplaces can still be seen.



The Spectacular High Anglican chapel 


The magnificent monochrome stained glass window - a grisaille window - from the 17th century, based on Michelangelo's Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel, fills the west wall.  It has a fascinating story:  http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-resurrection-at-magdalen-college-1279624.html





Some of the illustrious Alumni of Magdalen College include


·       Joseph Addison
·       Lord Richard Atkin
·       Lord Alfred Denning
·       King Edward VIII
·       Malcolm Fraser, Former Prime Minister of Australia
·       Nicholas Kristof, Pullitzer prize winner
·       T. E. Lawrence of Arabia
·       C.S. Lewis
·       Dudley Moore
·      
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey


For a detailed history of Magdalen College:  http://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Illustrated_Magdalen_College_History.pdf