Osney Island

Osney Island is taking part in Oxford Open Doors weekend, on Saturday 12 September. We are celebrating the 175th anniversary of Osney Town, with an exhibition of historic objects, and walking tours of the island.

If you have anything to contribute to the exhibition – objects dug up in your garden, stories, photos – contact OIRa chair Sarah Parker by 4 September: sarahparker_29@hotmail.com

The exhibition will be at West Oxford Democrats Club, downstairs, 12.30–3.30 p.m.

The walking tours will be at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., from outside the Holly Bush.

https://www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk/osney-island-walking-tour

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

Photo courtesy Richard Thurston, West Street.

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:

Claire’s slides

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:

• the current river level
• flood alerts
• whether there has been a recent sewage spill
• the most recent bacteria water level at Port Meadow (between 15 May and 30 September) 
• other local information

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.

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

Very sadly Roy Hoare died just a month after his wife Eve.

Roy’s daughter Julie writes: My lovely dad Roy Hoare died at home, as he so dearly wished, on 25 March. Roy had lived on Osney Island for 20 years with his beloved wife Eve.  He  loved the area very much and he was often seen out and about chatting to everyone. Thank you very much to the many neighbours who helped and supported him and my mum over the years.

Roy’s funeral will take place on Friday 28 April, 1.30 p.m., at The Oxford Crematorium, Bayswater Road, Oxford OX3 9RZ.  It will be followed by a reception at The Abingdon Arms, Beckley, Oxford OX3 9UU. Everyone is welcome at both the crematorium and the reception afterwards. We would like this to be a celebration of his long and happy life rather than a sombre affair and would like people to wear colourful clothes.

Eve Hoare of West Street died in Didcot Community Hospital on 21 February aged 93. She had been ill during the last year and had suffered a fall.

Eve’s daughter Julie St Clair Hoare writes: My lovely mum Eve had lived on Osney Island for 20 years with her beloved husband Roy. She loved the area very much. Many people will have seen her out walking her dogs Pippa and Georgie. Thank you very much to the many people who helped and supported her over the years.

Eve’s funeral will take place on Friday 10 March, 1.30 p.m. at The Oxford Crematorium, Bayswater Road, Oxford OX3 9RZ.  It will be followed by a reception at High St, Beckley, Oxford OX3 9UU. Everyone is welcome at both the crematorium and the reception afterwards. 

We would like this to be a celebration of her life rather than a sombre affair and would like people to wear colourful clothes.

Tributes

Matt Dyson writes: Eve and Roy were my ‘back fence neighbours’ from Bridge St to East Street, and have been the most considerate, kind, and friendly people since I got here six and a half years ago. I first met them when we tried to tackle some ivy coming up underneath our shared fence, and Eve was such a wealth of information, care and inspiration for a rich full life. I saw her a little during the pandemic, dropping round a baked good was the last time I think, and I regret not having made time to see her more recently. She’s a reminder of the wonderful people worth making the time for.

Ben Thomas writes: We remember Eve in recent months walking the dogs around the playing field in the early morning, passing treats to us for our children, chatting about the state of world politics, and discussing philosophy on the phone with her grandson as he worked on his undergraduate degree nearby in Oxford… firing off emails, scanning pictures of her war-time years to send to the writer of a magazine article… sharing news of her remarkable family… cooking, gardening, and of course being there for her wonderful husband Roy, who must be missing her more than we can imagine.

Eve was living at 100% in her 90s. Perhaps it shouldn’t feel surprising when someone of that age is suddenly no longer part of neighbourhood life, but Eve burned so bright to the end that it really does.