Oxford and its countryside

Ian Scargill and Alan Crosby have written an extremely interesting and informative book about Oxford, concentrating on the lesser known parts of the city, rather than the University. The book is interspersed with beautiful pen and ink illustrations and there are also some good photographs depicting various aspects of Oxford life,both past and present.

The chapter on Jericho refreshingly weaves Thomas Hardy's book "Jude the Obscure" into the fabric of the area. Jude Fawley comes to Oxford or 'Christminster' in the 19th century and lodges in an industrial suburb, 'Beersheba'1, modelled by Hardy on Jericho. The authors demonstrate that Jericho was not a typical 19th century industrial area, although it was caught up at this time in the second phase of the Industrial Revolution. It managed to remain more like a rural community, being dominated by the all-pervading influence of St. Barnabas Church, and retaining its small family houses and narrow streets.

Indeed, the countryside itself was within easy reach of Jericho - the rich pasturelands of Port Meadow being only a short walk away. The chapter contains many fascinating details about local history, and shows how the area has changed and developed over the years. From the late 1820*s onwards the houses built in Jericho were small and compact, being intended primarily for working-class people who were employed by the Clarendon Press -completed in 1830 - and the Eagle Ironworks, now known as Lucy's Engineering Works. However, since 1966, under a "gradual renewal" or "redevelopment scheme", 270 new homes have been built, including two blocks of flats which have received a certain amount of adverse criticism, and 450 of the original houses have been improved. As a result of the City Council's policies and because of its convenient location, the Jericho today has also become a haven for middle classes, e.g. dons, doctors and students, but the authors make a point of emphasising that in spite of this the modern Jericho still retains its strong sense of community.