The OCS Spring/Summer season is now online. Our talks range from BBOWT's conservation work to the University of Oxford's efforts to build new community links. And our member-only walks include a visit to Lye Valley and a guided tour of Harcourt Arboretum. oxcivicsoc.org.uk/programme/

It's the International Day of Happiness. Did you know that you can use the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire to quantify how happy you are? Peter Hills and Michael Argyle, Oxford University psychologists, invented this 5-minute test in 2001. No emojis are involved...🙂😀😄😁😂

Come along next Wednesday (2nd April) to the Society's AGM followed by a talk by Chris Church on the environmental movement. Our venue is the Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre in Worcester College. Tea and coffee will be provided from 7pm, the AGM begins at 7:30pm and the talk at 8pm.

The animal ecologist Charles Elton was born on 29th March 1900. He surveyed animal interrelationships in Wytham Woods over a period of 20 years. His studies included that of invasive organisms. His blue plaque in Park Town also celebrates his wife, Edith Scovell, who was a poet.

TONIGHT! Free to all (starting with tea and coffee from 7pm).

Thanks to the many members who attended the Oxford Civic Society AGM last night, in the elegant Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre at Worcester College. The AGM was followed by Chris Church's analysis of the highs and lows of environmental campaigns over the past 50 years.

Edward Brooks was born on 11 April 1883. In WWI he was awarded the VC for capturing a machine gun post. After receiving his VC he returned to Oxford, was met by the Mayor at the station and driven to Headington in a carriage lent by Mrs Morrell, led by the Headington Silver Band.

It's World Heritage Day (aka International Day for Monuments and Sites) and the theme is "Heritage under threat from disaster and conflicts". Nearest site to Oxford recognised by this UNESCO scheme is Blenheim Palace. Is inclusion threatened by the Botley West solar farm?

Oxfordshire Community Land Trust is holding a seminar next Wednesday (30th April) on ways to solve the housing crisis without trashing the planet. For details and tickets: oclt.org.uk/event-details/…

Wrecked boats still remain in the Thames, a year after our post last April. Two are in a prominent position, directly opposite Christchurch Meadow. Their condition has deteriorated. We have met Anneliese Dodds MP, who shares our frustration and has raised the issue with the EA.

In the next Oxford Civic Society talk, Prof. Alex Betts will be explaining how the University of Oxford is strengthening its relations with the city and the county. 8pm on Thursday 22nd May at Magdalen College Auditorium (off Longwall St). Free to all and no need to book!

OCS members were treated to a tour of Oxford's newest college today - Reuben College. Located in part of the Radcliffe Science Library building, the tour included the Abbot's Kitchen, the dining hall and an Eric Gill designed door. Join OCS now to access such special visits!

It's Volunteers' Week so here's a thanks to all the volunteers that make up the OCS. They run all our groups - on planning, transport, Oxfordshire Futures, our programme of events - and oversee our governance. To volunteer with us, please email [email protected]

Patrick Steptoe, obstetrician and gynaecologist, was born on this day in 1913. He worked with Robert Edwards and Jean Purdy to develop in vitro fertilization, which enabled the first "test-tube baby" to be born in 1978. His blue plaque adorns the Witney house where he grew up.

Join us next week for a talk by Estelle Bailey, CEO of the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Wildlife Trust. Estelle will be addressing the challenges that conservation faces in the region - it's free to attend, and no need to book. See you at 8pm on Tuesday 17th June at Rewley House.

Congratulations to Rosanne Bostock, founder of OxClean, who has been recognized with the award of a BEM in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours, for services to the community. OxClean, the litter picking campaign, has been an annual event in Oxford for 16 yrs. oxclean.org.uk

Congratulations to our speaker this evening, Estelle Bailey, on her award of an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours for services to nature's recovery! We're looking forward to hearing from Estelle about BBOWT's work.

It's Clean Air Day. Things have improved in Oxford, thanks to our electric buses. Next major change could be the congestion charge - it will interesting to hear from Oxford County Council what effect their modelling predicts regarding our air quality. actionforcleanair.org.uk/campaigns/clea…

A little rain didn't spoil yesterday's Oxford Civic Society visit to the wonderful Lye Valley, which is hidden away in Headington. Our guide Dr Judy Webb provided an inspiring explanation of how years of reed cutting has rejuvenated the flora in this rare alkaline spring fen.

Next Wednesday, come and hear Mrs Marjorie Glasgow explain how the Lord-Lieutenant's role is changing and how she seeks to promote and encourage voluntary and charitable organizations in the county. Rewley House, 6pm, Weds 2nd July - free and no booking needed!