Oxford Lives

Part Two of this fascinating interview with Oxford-based artist, biochemist and teacher Jamal Ibrahim. Here we pick up where we left off, with Jamal telling us an interesting story about a Samurai sword he once owned. He also talks about his time in Malaysia and lets us into the secrets of his trailblazing artistic techniques. 

Jamal Ibrahim has a fascinating story. As a scholarship student back in the early seventies, he was plucked from a working class Malaysian background to win a place at an English public school. From there he progressed to New College, Oxford and then a career as a Biochemist, conducting cutting edge research into HIV at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology. After many years an Oxford teacher, Jamal also turned his hand to Art, developing a groundbreaking technique to produce his abstract masterpieces.

An integral part of the Oxford cultural landscape for the last five decades, Modern Art Oxford is renowned for its diverse and progressive artistic programme. Here Director Paul Hobson recounts the history of the gallery, expands upon its remit and tells us about the range of recent community engagement projects. A fascinating discussion that references an eclectic range of innovators from Jackson Pollock to Tracey Emin to currently featured video artist Akram Zaatari.

Our one-year anniversary special continues with plenty of juicy topics dissected by our panel of four. Conversation veers from contentious statues, the Steve Bannon Oxford Union protests, privileged politicians, Dragon School actors, the X90, rotting play parks and whether it's really worth young people moving to Oxford. We discuss personal highlights and look ahead to future projects. With Jeremy Allen, Graeme Fry, Steve Larkin and Richard O Smith.

Oxford Lives is one year old. In this anniversary special, we invite back two of our most popular guests, poet Steve Larkin and comedy writer Richard O Smith, here to give their take on events in Oxford over the last twelve months. Producer Graeme Fry also joins us for this lively panel discussion covering a range of locally-related topics from homelessness to the Westgate to the closure of The Cellar music venue.  Part Two to follow. 

Following on from our Remember Them event at Oxford Town Hall we caught up with David Juler, Museum Development Assistant at the Museum of Oxford. The museum is in the process of refurbishment with many exciting developments planned for the re-opening. A micro-museum currently houses a Windrush exhibition and various community projects and events are upcoming. We also address David's love of museums and the time he has spent in Oxford.

A special live edition of the podcast recorded at Oxford Town Hall in conjunction with The Museum of Oxford. To coincide with The Armistice commemorations, Oxford Lives hosted a panel discussion to explore the city’s role in The Great War. Our guests were Margaret Bonfiglioli, Caroline Roaf (previous OL guests) and Sue Smith, local expert on Conscientious Objectors. Also featured are performances by Jennifer Johns and Rachel Mae Brady of UnderConstruction Theatre. You do not want to miss this!

In the 1960s, a series of letters were found in an attic, chronicling the WW1 experiences of Pleasance Walker, a volunteer nurse who left Oxford to join the French Red Cross. Caroline Roaf discovered the letters a decade later and diligently made photocopies. Now, inspired by The Centenary, Caroline has edited and published them in book form. Here Caroline describes her process and also reflects on her Irish upbringing, work in comprehensive schools and the current political system.

Bill Spectre's award-winning Oxford Ghost Trail has been named as one of the ten best ghost tours in the world by Trip Advisor. Here we ask Bill (real name Bill Ritchie) the secrets of a successful ghost tour and why people are so drawn to ghost stories. We address some deep themes -  the supernatural, human consciousness and life after death. Bill also gives us a glimpse of his act, with a chilling story to make your blood run cold!

In this podcast we visit the MINI plant in Cowley to interview Jason and Tanya Field. Jason started as an apprentice on the plant thirty years ago and still works there as an IT/Telecoms engineer. It was here he met Tanya and both share a passion for the MINI brand, not to mention other classic cars. Here we learn about the history of the factory, Tanya’s love of British Leyland and her family connections to William Morris, not to mention The Italian Job. Special thanks to Steve Wrelton for facilitating this interview.

Stephen Hosking is facilitator for the Oxford OCD Support Group which meets twice a month at the Restore Centre in Manzil Way. Here Stephen discusses the nature of the illness, its treatment and the many misconceptions surrounding it. Stephen also tells us how the group works and outlines his responsibilities as group leader. For those who think they may have OCD or need support in this area, please contact ox.ocd.support@hotmail.com or call 07976 726803

Harley Evans and Susie Barker are a pair of East Oxford creatives who have lived and worked in the city for many years. As professional photographers and designers they have worked with many celebrity clients and photographed the weddings of the rich and famous. They are also successful business people having renovated and restored properties in Oxford and beyond. In this lively interview they talk about life in the city, photographing VIPs and their philosophy on women in business.

Margaret Bonfiglioli has lived in Oxford all her life. A few years ago, Margaret discovered that a Luis Vuitton trunk on her landing contained hundreds of family letters, most dating back to The First World War. The letters were published in book form as ‘Full of Hope and Fear- The Great War Letters of an Oxford Family’ (OUP).  Here Margaret talks about the process of putting the book together with editor James Munson, her life in Oxford, and touches on late husband, Kyril, creator of the Mortdecai novels.

One of folk music's most enduring icons, Peggy Seeger settled in Iffley Village in 2010. She has since been involved in local politics, most notably the campaign to save Temple Cowley Pool. Here, Peggy talks candidly about her life- her musical upbringing, involvement in the Folk Revival, marriage to Ewan MacColl, groundbreaking radio documentary work and time in Oxford. Peggy has just written a critically acclaimed memoir, ‘First Time Ever’- essential reading!

Internationally acclaimed slam poet, dramatist, musician, educator, force of nature. Steve is president of poetry slam competition heavyweights Hammer & Tongue, has toured two hugely successful one-man shows (N.ON.C.E. , TES) and advocates for Cyc du Soleil, a mobile pedal-powered/solar-powered sound and light system.  Always amusing and insightful, here Steve gives us his take on world affairs from Leeds United to the Environment and demonstrates his verbal virtuosity with two stunning pieces of spoken word.

Don Flanagan grew up in Ireland but moved to London in 1940. He experienced the Blitz and then served as a stoker with The Royal Navy in the Far East. After the war, he worked with the legendary Unity Theatre before moving to Oxford in 1964, serving as a lab technician at Brookes University until the late-Eighties. In this gripping podcast, Don provides a considered perspective on the social and historical changes he has witnessed in his long and varied life.

Melrose Fernandes has been teaching at Kings Oxford for 24 years. In a warm and lively interview, Melrose recollects her early years, fleeing with her family from Idi Amin’s Uganda, then settling in Rose Hill. We hear how she delivered papers to Graham Greene’s wife,  went to school with Martin Keown and met the Amish community. Finally, Melrose reflects on the changing cultures and shifting student dynamics during her time at Kings.

Benji Ming is a man with many strings to his bow.  Actor, author, model, tree surgeon, gardener…the list goes on. Here he talks about his early life and career, reflecting on football hooliganism and the Oi! Scene.  He discusses his lengthy acting career, working with experimental director Andrew Kötting, appearing in panto with Bobby Knutt and working as a ceilidh consultant on Paddington 2. Finally, Benji tells us about his magnificent debut novel, Santa Cull, a comedy-horror masterpiece.

Author, tour guide, businessman, traveller. Rob is a fascinating man with a strong Oxford presence. Here he reminisces on his idyllic Gloucestershire childhood, apprenticeship as a telephone engineer and work with the telecoms industry. Real ale, shoe shining. Catalonia’s bid for independence are just some of the topics discussed. Rob also reflects on his considerable writing career, in particular Oxford Rogues, examining the lives of ten disreputable gents associated with our historic city.

Drama theorist, theatre producer, film maker, translator, tour guide: Simon possesses a vast knowledge of art, culture and social structures. On this must-listen podcast, Simon waxes lyrical on several subjects close to his heart from Italian playwright Luigi Pirandello’s romantic obsessions to the ethos of the British public school system to the elitism of Oxford University colleges. He also addresses the painstaking process of adapting a one-act play for the screen.