RECOMMENDATIONS

With so many of our incoming Scholars being new to Oxford, we wanted to help them explore their new home as much as possible as well as give Oxford veterans a few fresh ideas for places to visit.

We’ve been collecting our Scholars’ favourite places on our social media this term and in Michaelmas: there’s been an abundance of food, cosy work spaces, independent shops, college cats (Admiral Flapjack from St Hugh’s pictured below!) and favourite spots for some fresh air and impressive views.

Follow us on Instagram, @Clarendon_OU, to keep up to date with all the new hidden gems we uncover!

On 11 February, I attended ‘From Crisis to Co-op’ as a delegate for the Oxfordshire Co-operative Party. The theme of the conference was the role co-operative enterprises can play in supporting people through the UK cost of living crisis. The event was organised by Co-operative Futures, a Gloucester based consultancy, which specialises in community ownership.

The day began with a panel discussion. First, we heard from Elizabeth Anderson (Digital Poverty Alliance) on the problems of inadequate access to technology and the importance of digital rights for all. The second speaker was Claude Hendrickson (Frontline and Community Self-Build Agency) who spoke about how community projects can get people onto the housing ladder. The third was John Witcher (Fuel Poverty Action) who drew attention to the recent win concerning the exposure of the force-fitting of prepayment meters by energy firms. The final speech was by Dee Woods (Granville Community Kitchen; Landworkers’ Alliance) who stressed the importance of improving accessibility to good food.

After that, there were a series of roundtable talks. I contributed to the discussions regarding digital poverty, workplace organising, and community organising. The aim was to make suggestions for action. Here are a few examples. First, a digital version of the Warm Spaces community scheme. Second, to press for a 3-month freeze following the sale or bankruptcy of a company to allow workers the opportunity to place a bid. Third, to call out gatekeeping behaviour from vested interests, especially on councils.

Throughout the afternoon, there were opportunities to network with fellow co-operators, from around the UK, and to learn from them about their work. A highlight here was hearing of the Ultimate Picture Palace on Cowley Road, Oxford’s only community owned cinema. Having gone in the weeks following the conference, I would highly recommend a visit.

The conference concluded with a call to ‘bring joy to a difficult struggle’.

- Ben Graham, DPhil in History