22 April, 7.30 p.m., St Frideswide Church
Come along, meet your neighbours, all residents welcome. The sound system in the church has been improved since last year.
As well as the AGM business there will be a display of treasures from the OIRA archive, including the 1881 census records and house-by-house photographs from 1981.
Malcolm Mundy, a long-standing resident of Bridge Street, sadly died on the morning of 9 January, after collapsing on Osney Bridge. Malcolm was well known on the island for his cheerful greetings and could often be seen on his energetic walks into town. His death is a real loss to the island.
Maureen Ergeneli (East Street) writes: Malcolm was a gentle and generous soul. He brought me a Metro newspaper from the station every day without fail. It is such a shock to learn that he died so suddenly. I’ve known him for 45 years. He died like he lived, not making any fuss. Yet he was such a caring person. The island is much the poorer for his loss.
Louise Gordon (West Street) writes: I didn’t know Malcolm Mundy by name, only by sight, as I often passed him when he was walking in the area – striding out with upright posture, even with his walker. We never conversed, just nodding acquaintances, but I am really saddened to think I won’t encounter his friendly smile again.
Simon Collings (South Street) writes: I saw Malcolm most days and we never passed in the street without a cheery ‘hello’. I admired his stamina and determination, his positive outlook, and his engagement with the world. I didn’t know him well but he was a welcome presence in the community and I miss him.
Dave Horner (Bridge Street) writes: I spoke to Malcolm almost every day, as we passed each other on our daily walks.We talked of the weather, his great love for Oxford City, and life on the island. He was a lovely, kind man who remained so positive about life, even though he had a fair share of tragedies in his own. A true Oxfordian who I will miss so much.
Pauline Martin (Bridge Street) writes: Malcolm was an Osney institution all his own – striding out with energy and purpose, always with a friendly word in passing on the street whenever you saw him. He was only ever positive and upbeat, genuinely caring. I will so miss his warm presence and cheery greeting so readily shared. What a lovely man. Heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends now and in the weeks ahead.
Pauline Massey (Bridge Street) writes:Malcolm has been a good friend to my family for many years. A lovely man, whose cheery hello could brighten the darkest morning. He was out and about no matter what the weather. A wonderful person to have in our community. I shall miss him greatly, as will many others, I’m sure. The island is not the same without you, Malcolm. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Susan Lloyd (Doyley Road) writes: Such a sweet man, always cheerful, always smiling. Rest in peace.
Miranda Jones (West Street) writes: I didn’t know Malcolm personally but every time we saw each other, even when on my bike, I’d wave and he’d respond. He did always reply to one’s comments with a smile and he was endlessly cheerful, even when out with his walker. I remember the magnificent funeral of his wife. An old-fashioned black hearse with black horses tossing their black plumes as the hearse departed Malcom’s home on Bridge Street. R.I.P.
Lesley Casey (Bridge Street) writes: I have known Malcolm for nearly 40 years. He always had a smile and he loved talking to my children, and for the last few years my grandchildren. ‘Hello little ones,’ he’d say with such delight. They called him Mr Happy. The island has lost a lovely character.
Oxford Mail obituary
Wednesday 23 April, 7.30 p.m., St Frideswide Church
All residents welcome. Meet your neighbours, enjoy a drink, hear our speakers:
We will also be voting on the updated constitution. Agenda here.
Photo courtesy Richard Thurston, West Street.
Joanna’s daughters, Louise Muller and Georgie Wilmott write: It is with much sadness that we share the news that Joanna Muller of 1 East Street passed away on New Year’s Eve. Joanna had luckily just spent a wonderful Christmas with her daughters Louise and Georgie and their families, before passing away peacefully at the JR Hospital.
Joanna had lived on Osney Island for nearly 30 years. She was a much loved friend and neighbour of so many. She had sadly been in poor health for many years but was always so positive in her outlook that she continued to make the most out of life – always warm, friendly and with a smile to greet everyone. In past times, she would enjoy long walks by the waterways but even when bad health meant she couldn’t walk as far, she would often be seen picking litter by the water. Joanna loved the community on Osney Island so very much.
Joanna’s funeral (all are welcome) will be held at Oxford Crematorium, Bayswater Road, Headington, OX3 9RZ on Thursday 6 February at 2 p.m. (ending around 3 p.m.) Flowers may be brought to lay on the coffin. For those who wish, donations will be collected for Age UK and Dementia UK.
The funeral will be followed by a celebration of Joanna’s life at Seacroft Hall, 3 Church Way, Botley, Oxford 0X2 9TH. Nearby parking is at West Way Square Parking (OX2 0LW), Elms Parade car park (OX2 9LG) or Tower Retail Park (OX2 0JJ).
Please don’t feel you need to wear all black.
To add your memories/condolences to this page please contact Jane.
Pauline Martin writes: Joanna was a friend indeed. And to so many – she brought a depth of interest and enquiry to every friendship, was a dedicated communicator by letter or a card through a local letterbox, by phone, email when she could or in person and scheduled her many contacts so as to have time and energy, capacity and focus for each one. It’s been my real privilege to have known and relished her affections over many years in a relationship I will cherish forever. ‘Your friend is your needs answered’ (Kahlil Gibran).
Jude Carroll, Pauline Martin, Vernon Orr, Jocelyn Wogan-Browne write: Islanders may have been familiar with the frail but striking figure of Joanna in her slouch hat, litter-picking on East Street in the early mornings. This was just one of her contributions to our community – she was a staunch Osney Islander. She also knitted muffs with buttons inside to keep busy the restless hands of people with dementia. She listened avidly as friends filled her in on island gatherings, book-group discussions, travel tales and more. She offered in return insights from her first-floor window on passers-by, memories from her New Zealand past, from her many travels, and from her work at the Westminster Campus above Raleigh Park.
Stoically positive, Joanna lived life courageously and, despite her illness, was determined to do and experience all that she could. She will be much missed by her many friends and family in the UK and overseas. She is survived by her two devoted daughters, sons-in-law, four grandchildren, and by Rafi, their black labrador.
Claire Robertson, Oxford Rivers Project Officer for Thames 21, gave a talk at the OIRA Annual Meeting on 24 April about river water quality on the Thames. You can download her PowerPoint slides here with a lot of useful links and information:
Thames21 and research institute UKCEH have also launched the Oxford Rivers Portal: https://oxfordrivers.ceh.ac.uk/portal.
On a single map, you can discover:
Mervyn’s niece Sylvia writes: Mervyn Grace, who had lived on Osney for over 40 years, sadly died in July 2023. Melvyn was a grandson of the famous cricketer E. M. Grace (W. G. Grace’s brother), and had a lifetime interest in all things cricket. After teaching chemistry for 14 years in Kenya, he returned to England and settled in West Court. He enjoyed living on Osney and having meals with family at The Punter and The Holly Bush. When he was in better health he regularly attended St Frideswide’s Church.
The funeral was held at North Oxfordshire Crematorium on Friday 28 July.
Following on from the Oxford Preservation Trust Green Award it was awarded in 2022, our yoga centre in East Street has won a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Regional Award: https://www.ribaj.com/buildings/regional-awards-2023-south-adrian-james-architects-vishuddha-yoga-centre-sport-leisure-oxford
The architect is Adrian James.
What is truly remarkable about the Vishuddha Yoga Centre is how well the drive for low energy and sustainability harmonises with the yogic philosophy of the charity that runs it. The use of natural materials, such as plywood and bare blockwork, has kept embodied energy low, while the careful modulation of natural daylight prevents overheating. This alignment of values gives the building a unique character and a true sense of purpose, making it a truly exceptional space.
The RIBA Journal, 18 May 2023
The promise of spring came once again with the first daffodils on the river bank. Like a caption, the colourful boat Promise slid into view and moored opposite my house, like a swan in the sun. Gratitude appeared next, in the ancient channel beyond Osney Mill and Osney Abbey.
Since that first spring day the narrow boats and barges have been migrating late this year as the weather has been so awful. Like other wildlife, they have avoided the daytime noise of construction machinery within the thankfully protected very tall, ornate brick and glass facades of the old power station. Perhaps because of that, as the willows weep more leaves, I now enjoy being woken by flights of wildfowl over our roofs and birdsong from all our gardens when it really is so quiet again here on our island.
Mark Van Oss
Osney Island 