Oxford Castaways

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.

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.

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.

Hamish Vigne Christie Paul - better known to his many fans as Korky was born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1951, one of seven children.

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.

When the Ashmolean Museum moved to its present site in Beaumont Street, its original building in Broad Street became home to the world's first Museum of the History of Science.