Aug
21
Colin Dexter
August 21, 2010
Colin Dexter: October 2009 Castaway
When reviewing ‘My Ashmolean /My Museum‘, for the Oxford Times, I was struck by Theo Chalmers’ stern portrait of Colin Dexter. I mentioned it to Colin and he assured me that he did, indeed, know how to smile but that his instructions were to look grim ‘as [...]
Aug
21
Bettany Hughes
August 21, 2010
December 2009 Castaway: Bettany Hughes
Historian Writer, Broadcaster and opener of The New Ashmolean
The five year old Bettany Hughes was one of 1,694,117 people, who saw the golden mask, from the head of the mummy of King Tutankhamen, on display at the landmark British Museum exhibition, in 1972. It inspired a career researching the [...]
Aug
21
Shami Chakrabarti
August 21, 2010
May Castaway 2009 : Shami Chakrabarti
Last year Oxford Brookes University appointed a new Vice Chancellor. Oxford Brookes is a young university so it is rather fitting that they chose the thirty nine year old Shami Chakrabarti. Shami is better known nationally for her role as director of ‘Liberty’, formerly known as ‘The National Council [...]
Jun
29
Real People, Real Lives - Writer Helen Rappaport
June 29, 2010
Writer Helen Rappaport reveals her love of Russia, all things Victorian and the landscape of the Medway marshes in conversation with Sylvia Vetta.
See the full published article here
Historian Helen Rappaport has two great passions,Russia and the Victorians. Her interest in Russia led her in many directions, viaa career in TV and films, translating Chekhov and [...]
Oct
9
The Bishop and Bede
October 9, 2008
Saint Cuthbert, who strongly resisted becoming a bishop, is one of John Prichard’s heroes — and as it turns out, the current Bishop of Oxford has followed in the footsteps of his favourite saint.
Aug
6
The Archivist and the Family Silver
August 6, 2008
We often take for granted treasures right on our doorstep. One of these Oxfordshire gems is Blnheim Palace, and this month’s castaway’ is a perfect guide to this World Heritage Site.
Jul
11
Arrowheads of Desire
July 11, 2008
Think of the low-budget horror movie The Blair Witch Project and you will have an idea what John Ballam’s birthplace looks like. The film was made in the woods near his family farm in the quaintly-named village of Harmony in Maryland, USA.
May
30
Comics, Coca-Cola and Childhood Memories
May 30, 2008
Hamish Vigne Christie Paul - better known to his many fans as Korky was born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1951, one of seven children.
Mar
28
Glitter and the Gold
March 28, 2008
Oxford Brookes University is the most successful of the universities created from former polytechnics. This academic year saw the arrival of Professor Janet Beer to become the University’s first female vice-chancellor.
Mar
5
Bill’s Excellent Adventure
March 5, 2008
The voice of our third castaway will be familiar to anyone who listens to Radio Oxford. His phone-in programme every weeknight includes the great and the good and the boy or girl next door. Maybe his American origins give him the easy manner that makes him so approachable.