When was the last time you went ice-skating in Oxford?

The rink in Oxpens Road (the building that I only know as the “ship”, thanks to those 30 metre masts) is celebrating its 25^th anniversary on the weekend of 5^th December.

Home to a number of clubs and organisations (including the OXIST Ice Skating Club, Oxford Stars Ice Hockey team and a Junior Figure Skating Club to name the ones I know), it also offers lessons in figure skating and ice dance.

I went absolutely ages ago and remember being rubbish but enjoyed watching everyone else whizz round.

So anyway, it’s hosting a gala weekend to celebrate the anniversary, where you can watch World Professional Champions do their own twisting and twirling. More info can be found here

I’m already irritated by the Christmas hype and we’ve only just left October behind. The toy shop in Oxford I went into the other day (I forget which one) has jingles playing so I left straight away. Of course they hummed around my head for the rest of the day.

Anyway, I accept the irony that I am writing about it in early November but is it just me, or is the Christmas lights switch on happening earlier and earlier these days too? To be fair, anything that lights up these horrible dark nights is better than nothing?

So, here is the inevitable post publicising the different events. Click here to find your nearest Christmas light switch on in Oxford and surrounding areas.

I know that it will continue to excite children for years to come so who am I to start complaining? ‘Christmas in Oxford’ on Friday 27^th November may even be one that I attend – lets hope the Christmas jingles haven’t got the better of me by then!

Quick post  following on from the last one – here is a link for other firework displays in Oxford and surrounding areas. Enjoy!

I always quite like this time of the year in Oxford; falling leaves everywhere, crunching round frosty parks on early morning walks, wrapping up warm…

I also like the October / November events calendar – Halloween is round the corner so don’t forget to check out the fancy dress shops in Oxford or you could always try one of Oxford’s ghost tours to really get those goose bumps going.

And then of course there’s always Bonfire Night. As always, South Parks (Headington) hosts the annual Round Table charity fireworks display, which this year takes place on Saturday 7^th November.

Not only raises money for charity but entertains over 15,000 spectators every year with one of the largest bonfires in Oxfordshire. Gates open from 5pm, with food stalls and a funfair to experience before over £11,000 worth of fireworks are set off for you to “ooh” and “ahh” over – enjoy!

I also came across the Oxford Moonlight Stroll on my search, although it’s hardly a stroll given it covers 8 – 9 miles of Oxford. What a beautiful opportunity to see the city in the silvery moonlight though.

Plus it’s all in aid of Sobell House Hospice Charity. Last year’s Stoll brought in over £93,000 so this year they hope to break through the £100,000 mark. Pretty impressive stuff.

It’s on Saturday 11^th July, with registration at 8.30pm and the walk starts at 10.30pm. Fingers crossed for a clear – and dry! – night

My friend was complaining the other day that Oxfordshire lacks exciting events for all the family – and moreover – that don’t break the bank in the process.

So I’ve set out to track one down and found out that the Abingdon Air and Country Show (Sun 3^rd May) is celebrating its 10^th Anniversary this year.

What does it offer? A large scale “fly in” of both modern and vintage aeroplanes, air displays, vintage cars, craft & trade market stalls, events including dog agility, music and dancing, a climbing wall, mini quad bikes, a bouncy castle… sounds like a jam packed day to me.

And more importantly, it’s all for charity; the Thames Valley and Children Air Ambulance. So you can have a fun day out and feel virtuous. Win win.

A family ticket is £22 and costs per head can be found here, or to read more about the day in general, check out their website

Along with the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Literary Festival, Oxford is also gearing itself up for ‘Oxfringe’, celebrating drama, theatre, comedy and music across the City

Still in its infancy, Oxfringe eventually hopes to rival other fringe festivals around the country (Brighton, Cambridge and Bath to name but a few), and whilst it’s never going to be in the same league as Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the organisers believe that

“Oxfringe is the dream for people who go to Edinburgh and love it who wanted something like that in Oxford” (Co-director, Heather Dunmore)

There are 13 days of events with over 150 live performances, which compared to last year (there were just over 40 events), shows that it’s certainly growing in scope. Any opportunity to put Oxford on the map certainly has my vote.

The festival runs from 1^st  – 13^th April and a full list of festival events can be found at oxfringe.com

I don’t know whether you’re like me, but I always feel as though I don’t make the most out of Oxford and all it has to offer.

It’s very easy to march down the High Street (head down, pondering about what you have to do that day) and forget to admire all the tourist attractions in Oxford, and I only ever do really “touristy” things when I have visitors.

Equally though, whenever I do take the time to find out what’s on, it’s often too late. Take the Oxford Literary Festival for example, I always read about it and think “I’d like to go to that” and then suddenly it’s been and gone.

While it’s fresh in my mind then, this post is to remind people that the Festival is just round the corner. It runs from Sunday 29^th March to Sunday 5^th April and you can get a full list of events here. So, whether you’re a book lover or simply someone who wants to stretch their minds, there are eight days of events where some of the greatest writers and thinkers of our time will be on your doorstep – an opportunity not to be missed.