Friday night was ace.
I've known Oxford as home for 15 years and kind of even go as far to see it as a person... a female infact. She's cool, she looks after me. Although I think, probably like any home it's easily taken for granted; like an old trusty jumper you've got in your wardrobe... pulling it out always gives you a feeling of comfort and protection. Ok...NOW I'm comparing Oxford to a jumper...let's go back to Friday night :-O
It was WinterLight, the coming together of the Councils and cultural agency Oxford Inspires. The hoo-ha over, when critics claimed Christmas was being brushed under the carpet didn't really come into my mind. I didn't actually make it down for the switching on of the Xmas lights in Bonn Square at 5.30pm, although I did get to see the rather funky light-sabre-drop-down-glockenspiel-type-things above Queen Street... what do you reckon to them?! I overheard two girls infront of me describe them as cheap and tacky... I say, a change will do you good, can't hurt! They 'drop' instead of flash or shine... that's cool.
In Broad Street hundreds, maybe even thousands (I think thousands) awaited the massive sun, moon and stars and earth to do something. For ages all we could see was the red light at the top of the enormous crane, which they were suspended from. My boyfriend, who's a Welsh-Londoner and I decided a quickie in the pub Inspector Morse used to like would be a good idea as a warming-waiting tactic. I had a mulled wine, he had a 'pint of whatever's traditional please' and between us we ate a lot of Nobby's nuts. The chilli ones. It's such an old pub... you almost feel a ghost could be standing or sitting next to you. At this point my working day was behind me and I was excited that this terrifically old city was playing host to us tonight.
Back out for a short wait before the WinterLights began. Over a hundred local school kids with their LED lanterns, a handful of fluorescent characters on stilts and some brass-bandage entered the space... in parts it was quite hard to see (having forfeited a place which could've been a bit closer for hot wine and nuts). Surely though, the sun the moon the earth and stars did come alight with a mixture of what I think was huge L.E.D's, fireworks and pyrotechnics. Cool. With music too, the kind that rouses you, especially the last song, which I really love but don't know the name of, (shame on me working at Jack FM, I'm sure it's on our playlist). I could tell slightly scepticial boyfriend was impressed. There was loads of clapping and cooing by all around us and I felt hugely proud to be an Oxfordian :-D
The night was ended by a walk past Radcliffe Camera (one of the most gorgeous snapshots of the city)...through an alley-way past a ghost tour...mid-tour, down Cornmarket, and Queen Street to see and talk Xmas lights, then on to what was a hugely lovely cherry on the cake; Bonn Square. Swit-swoo it looks so good-looking. I can't believe after all these months of just seeing big cover-boards and muddy walk ways, we now have such a cool open space in Oxford. It's wicked. Again, slightly cynical boyfriend said 'now there are more benches for tramps to lie down on'. I disagree! I think this new Square will see many a cool thing over the years and become a place to sit, walk, whatever; especially if you've grabbed a sandwich or a panini and want to eat while watching the world go by.
So a wonderful night in a wonderful city. I wish I'd wrapped up a little warmer though, I'm snivelling today.
Apparently there's loads more WinterLight to come aswell.
xx
Rosie from the news room
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