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Post by The Fence End on Aug 1, 2014 18:44:36 GMT
I have an idea but not the time nor intelligence to do it so as a member of Oxvox I'd like to propose a campaign and it's positive one!
Basically, I'd like to see one of those blue plaques on The Britannia in Headington to commemorate and mark that that was the place Oxford United were founded.
I'd love it to say something like "Oxford United were formed in here on *insert date* 1893."
It would be fantastic to have for all to see. That's the proposed mission if you choose to accept it Oxvox!
Thoughts?
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Post by malcolmnl on Aug 1, 2014 19:12:54 GMT
Sounds good.There must be rules and regs about that sort of thing so it will take some looking into.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Aug 1, 2014 19:48:10 GMT
Bloody good idea. As OUFC is not a person (I'll link you) we'd need to look into an event - like this "Events At least 20 years must have elapsed before an event can be recognised by a Blue Plaque." Which seems more or less in line with what you want, Mr End? There's a lot of information here but I wrote 59 pages of technical clarification over the last 2 days and got on the Old Rosie at about 5.30 so I'll leave it there for now.
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Post by The Fence End on Aug 1, 2014 21:48:50 GMT
Thanks Paul.
Seems very easy to make a proposal, this is from that website:
'Individuals and organisations are invited to make proposals, initially in the form of outline nominations stating:
-name and dates of candidate (or location/event) -sphere of achievement and grounds for nomination -proposed site of plaque (with photograph) -proposer’s name and contact details
These will be considered by the Board at its next available meeting, in April or October. If the proposed subject meets the criteria, the Secretary will assist in drawing up a full proposal with further details for the Board’s approval.
To propose a person, place or event for commemoration by an Oxfordshire Blue Plaque, please send an outline nomination to the Secretary: oxfordshireblueplaques@gmail.com'
I'm happy to email them but could someone help with the 'sphere of achievement and grounds for nomination' part as I guess 'the Board' aren't going to be football people and they're going to take some convincing. I'd love to put together a real solid proposal together for these guys.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Aug 2, 2014 9:43:47 GMT
I PM'd you a few words. If you want to pass them to OxVox for fact-checking or post them on here that's fine by me.
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Post by m on Aug 2, 2014 10:44:58 GMT
I think it's a great idea.
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Post by The Fence End on Aug 2, 2014 18:49:05 GMT
As this seems a lot simpler than first thought I'm happy to take this on as a personal crusade! I'll try and get a first draft together of the email I'll send to them on here at some point tthis weekend for anyone who like to add something to do so. When I send the email I'll copy in OxVox just to add a bit of clout, perhaps someone from OxVOx could be so kind as to send a follow up email supporting the idea to the Blue Plaque board?
Thanks to Paul Cannel for his suggestions so far.
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Post by Matt D on Aug 3, 2014 18:00:21 GMT
As this seems a lot simpler than first thought I'm happy to take this on as a personal crusade! I'll try and get a first draft together of the email I'll send to them on here at some point tthis weekend for anyone who like to add something to do so. When I send the email I'll copy in OxVox just to add a bit of clout, perhaps someone from OxVOx could be so kind as to send a follow up email supporting the idea to the Blue Plaque board? Thanks to Paul Cannel for his suggestions so far. Hi there Fence End - terrific idea. OxVox would be very happy to back you in this of course (and the plaque would be just up the road from me!). If you want any input let us know, we have some wording/outline of Club achievements we've used when nominating OUFC for other things, but it sounds like you've got it covered. If you would like to copy me in to your nomination, my OxVox email is secretary@oxvox.org.uk. Cheers! Matt
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Post by The Fence End on Aug 3, 2014 22:26:28 GMT
First draft of the initial proposal below - please let me have your ideas by 9pm tomorrow if you feel it could be improved. I'll make amendments and send the email to them by the middle of this week. Please bear in mind they are only after an outline proposal at this stage so it is purposely brief.
'Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to put forward a proposition for a Blue Plaque to be placed on The Britannia pub in Headington to commemorate the location and date of the formation of Oxford United Football Club.
Oxford United were founded as Headington Football Club in The Britannia on 27th October 1893 by the Reverend John Scott-Tucker, the vicar at St. Andrew's Church in Headington, and a local doctor named Dr. Robert Hitchings as a way for the cricketers of Headington Cricket Club to maintain their fitness during the winter break.
Originally Headington, the suffix 'United' was added in 1911, the club competed in local leagues before entering the Southern League in 1949. In 1950, Headington United became the first professional club in Britain to install floodlights and they won the Southern League Championship in 1953 and 1960. In 1960 the club was renamed Oxford United to raise the clubs profile and won the Southern League title again in 1962 after which they were was elected to the football league - a national competition. In 1964 Oxford United became the first 4th division club to reach the 6th round of the FA Cup.
Oxford United became the first club to achieve consecutive promotions from the 3rd and 2nd tiers of the Football League to reach Division 1 (now the Premier League) in 1985 despite only having been a league club for only 23 years. Oxford United played in the top flight for three seasons. In 1986 Oxford United won The League Cup in front of 90,396 spectators (c.40000 from Oxfordshire) at Wembley and a TV audience of millions.
Oxford United played at the Manor Ground, across the road from the Britannia, from 1925 to 2001 when Oxford United moved to a new ground at Grenoble Road. In 2013 the Oxford United Supporters trust, OxVox, successfully registered the new stadium as 'an asset of community value' under the Localism Act which ensures the stadium can not be sold off without consultation with the fans this ensuring the community has a say in the future of it's football team. This is a clear demonstration of how highly regarded the club is by the community.
Oxford United was the first professional sports team to be formed in Oxfordshire and is the only professional sports club to have been based here in Oxfordshire throughout it's history. It the only sports club which represents Oxfordshire and carries the Oxford in it's name.
After achieving so many firsts in football and winning a national trophy for the people of Oxfordshire, Oxford United Football Club to this day means a lot to so many people in Oxfordshire and the date and place where the journey started deserves to be commemorated.'
Please let me know you thoughts/edits.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Aug 4, 2014 8:02:36 GMT
Looks good to me.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2014 10:39:39 GMT
Really good stuff.
I'd add the words "full-time professional" before "sports club which represents Oxfordshire and carries the Oxford in it's name."
Oxford City and Oxford City Stars might have an issue otherwise.
Cheers
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Post by The Fence End on Aug 4, 2014 10:48:04 GMT
Really good stuff. I'd add the words "full-time professional" before "sports club which represents Oxfordshire and carries the Oxford in it's name." Oxford City and Oxford City Stars might have an issue otherwise. Cheers Ah yes, I don't want a load of toothless, angry ice hockey players after me - thanks!
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Post by Mark on Aug 4, 2014 12:48:26 GMT
to raise the club's profile. [missing apostrophe] in 1962 after which they were [delete was] in 1985 despite only having been a league club for 23 years [delete duplicate only] future of its football team [delete apostrophe] It is the only professional sports club [insert is]
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Post by Mark on Aug 4, 2014 12:50:50 GMT
just seen some of the plaques awarded. 4 minute mile well deserved, but does a Morris Dancer deserve one?
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Post by lodeyellow on Aug 4, 2014 13:32:13 GMT
Why not? If you were keen on morris dancing, you'd probably think so.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 4, 2014 13:39:18 GMT
just seen some of the plaques awarded. 4 minute mile well deserved, but does a Morris Dancer deserve one? If you are talking about William Kimber, then yes he does. A huge figure in folk music and very influential. And a (admittedly very distant) relative of mine...
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Post by oxfordharrier on Aug 4, 2014 15:43:31 GMT
Really good stuff. I'd add the words "full-time professional" before "sports club which represents Oxfordshire and carries the Oxford in it's name." Oxford City and Oxford City Stars might have an issue otherwise. Cheers Not to mention Oxfordshire County Cricket Club, among others...
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Post by oxfordharrier on Aug 4, 2014 16:27:10 GMT
just seen some of the plaques awarded. 4 minute mile well deserved, but does a Morris Dancer deserve one? If you are talking about William Kimber, then yes he does. A huge figure in folk music and very influential. And a (admittedly very distant) relative of mine... No Billy Kimber, not much traditional English music. Without him Cecil Sharp would have been screwed for a start. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_KimberAwesome figure in the English folk world - I'm not bothered about morris per se, but no Billy Kimber = no Fairport Convention/Dave Swarbrick/Sandy Denny, and that would bother me!
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Post by johnox37en on Aug 4, 2014 18:59:54 GMT
Good luck Fence End with this. Its a great idea.
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Post by johnox37en on Aug 4, 2014 19:00:36 GMT
Good luck Fence End with this. Its a great idea.
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Post by John Lennon on Aug 4, 2014 20:49:14 GMT
Agree, really good idea Fence End
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Post by oxrox on Aug 6, 2014 8:30:35 GMT
Would you have to talk to the owners of the pub as well?
Great idea.....and a chance for OxVox members to meet up in a social setting.
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Post by The Fence End on Aug 7, 2014 19:08:42 GMT
Would you have to talk to the owners of the pub as well? Great idea.....and a chance for OxVox members to meet up in a social setting. Eventually yes. Will get the go ahead from the Blue Plaque guys first. Should be in Headington next week to get the photographs of the spot the plaque should go and then I'll submit the proposal.
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Post by ox4eva on Aug 10, 2014 17:17:27 GMT
Great idea, we have really not made enough of our history
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Post by The Fence End on Sept 30, 2014 22:25:39 GMT
Quick update on this, the outline proposal has been sent into them!
It read:
"Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to put forward a proposition for a Blue Plaque to be placed on The Britannia Pub in Headington to commemorate the location and date of the formation of Oxford United Football Club.
Oxford United were founded as Headington Football Club in The Britannia on 27th October 1893 in a meeting called by a local doctor named Dr. Robert Hitchings as a way for the cricketers of Headington Cricket Club to maintain their fitness during the winter break. The Reverend John Scott-Tucker, the vicar at St. Andrew's Church in Headington, was appointed the newly formed clubs first President.
Originally Headington Football Club, the suffix 'United' was added in 1911, the club competed in local leagues before entering the Southern League in 1949. In 1950, Headington United became the first professional club in Britain to install floodlights and they won the Southern League Championship for the first time in 1953. In 1960 the club was renamed Oxford United to raise the club's national profile and won the Southern League title again in 1961 and 1962 after which they were was elected to the football league - a national competition. In 1964 Oxford United became the first 4th division club to reach the 6th round of the FA Cup.
Oxford United became the first club to achieve consecutive promotions from the 3rd and 2nd tiers of the Football League to reach Division 1 (now the Premier League) in 1985 despite having been a league club for only 23 years. Oxford United played in the top flight for three seasons. In 1986 Oxford United won The League Cup in front of 90,396 spectators (c.36000 from Oxfordshire) at Wembley and a TV audience of millions.
Oxford United played at the Manor Ground, across the road from the Britannia, from 1925 to 2001 when Oxford United moved to a new ground at Grenoble Road near Cowley. In 2013 the Oxford United Supporters trust, OxVox, successfully registered the new stadium as 'an asset of community value' under the Localism Act which ensures the stadium can not be sold off without consultation with the fans this ensuring the community has a say in the future of it's football team. This is a clear demonstration of how highly regarded the club is by the community.
Oxford United were the first professional sports team to be formed in Oxford and is the only professional sports club to have been based here in Oxfordshire throughout it's entire history. It the only sports club which represents Oxfordshire and carries the Oxford in it's name.
After achieving so many firsts in football and winning a national trophy for the people of Oxfordshire, Oxford United Football Club to this day is still nationally known and means a lot to so many people in Oxfordshire and the date and place where the journey started deserves to be commemorated.
I have attached a picture of the proposed location of the plaque and it will be in a prominent position on the side of the pub facing the extremely busy London Road.
I have copied in the secretary of OxVox, the Oxford United Supporters trust, who are supportive of this proposal.
I look forward to your response."
They're meeting in October so I'll let you all know on here of their response when I receive it.
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Post by bristoloxman on Sept 30, 2014 22:38:53 GMT
Carries the oxford in its name - does that make sense?
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Post by The Fence End on Oct 2, 2014 21:36:29 GMT
I have received a response from them:
"Thank you for your proposal and very clear exposition of your case. We are just about to have our October meeting and have a full agenda. It may just be possible to give your proposal some consideration then but, more realistically, it will be discussed at the next meeting in April. I shall put it down for that agenda."
This is going to be a very slow burner...
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Post by Eaststandboy on Oct 3, 2014 6:25:41 GMT
April?!
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Post by saddletramp on Oct 3, 2014 6:35:21 GMT
Quick update on this, the outline proposal has been sent into them! It read: "Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to put forward a proposition for a Blue Plaque to be placed on The Britannia Pub in Headington to commemorate the location and date of the formation of Oxford United Football Club. Oxford United were founded as Headington Football Club in The Britannia on 27th October 1893 in a meeting called by a local doctor named Dr. Robert Hitchings as a way for the cricketers of Headington Cricket Club to maintain their fitness during the winter break. The Reverend John Scott-Tucker, the vicar at St. Andrew's Church in Headington, was appointed the newly formed clubs first President. Originally Headington Football Club, the suffix 'United' was added in 1911, the club competed in local leagues before entering the Southern League in 1949. In 1950, Headington United became the first professional club in Britain to install floodlights and they won the Southern League Championship for the first time in 1953. In 1960 the club was renamed Oxford United to raise the club's national profile and won the Southern League title again in 1961 and 1962 after which they were was elected to the football league - a national competition. In 1964 Oxford United became the first 4th division club to reach the 6th round of the FA Cup. Oxford United became the first club to achieve consecutive promotions from the 3rd and 2nd tiers of the Football League to reach Division 1 (now the Premier League) in 1985 despite having been a league club for only 23 years. Oxford United played in the top flight for three seasons. In 1986 Oxford United won The League Cup in front of 90,396 spectators (c.36000 from Oxfordshire) at Wembley and a TV audience of millions. Oxford United played at the Manor Ground, across the road from the Britannia, from 1925 to 2001 when Oxford United moved to a new ground at Grenoble Road near Cowley. In 2013 the Oxford United Supporters trust, OxVox, successfully registered the new stadium as 'an asset of community value' under the Localism Act which ensures the stadium can not be sold off without consultation with the fans this ensuring the community has a say in the future of it's football team. This is a clear demonstration of how highly regarded the club is by the community. Oxford United were the first professional sports team to be formed in Oxford and is the only professional sports club to have been based here in Oxfordshire throughout it's entire history. It the only sports club which represents Oxfordshire and carries the Oxford in it's name. After achieving so many firsts in football and winning a national trophy for the people of Oxfordshire, Oxford United Football Club to this day is still nationally known and means a lot to so many people in Oxfordshire and the date and place where the journey started deserves to be commemorated. I have attached a picture of the proposed location of the plaque and it will be in a prominent position on the side of the pub facing the extremely busy London Road. I have copied in the secretary of OxVox, the Oxford United Supporters trust, who are supportive of this proposal. I look forward to your response." They're meeting in October so I'll let you all know on here of their response when I receive it. Don't like to pick holes in what is a great letter. But, Oxford weren't the first team to win consecutive promotions to the first division. But they were the first (and still only) team to win consecutive promotions to the first division as CHAMPIONS.
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Post by unification on Oct 3, 2014 7:52:36 GMT
Great idea, chaps. Glad to see the ball is rolling on this one.
Is it also worth letting local media know about this as well? Having the OM print a fluff piece about it or getting the Rad Ox boys to mention it would surely gather further support and may put a bit of pressure on the Blue Plaque committee.
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