what's on at the old fire station, oxford - may-aug 2015

Image: SatMatCo at the Oxford Fringe, page 5

What’s OnSpring/Summer 2015

WelcomeWelcome to our May to August What’s On Guide. I oversee the Gallery and Shop,

where we showcase and sell original

artworks and beautifully made craft and

design objects. Many of our makers are

local, and we’re delighted to offer the

chance for you to find out about them

through our Making Space programme –

come and Meet the Maker (p23 & 25) and even have a

go at making work yourself.

I’d like to highlight the collaborative project Vessels,

where we’ve partnered with Crisis, the Pitt Rivers

Museum and artist Georgie Manly to create a ceramics

exhibition (p22).

This season we have a fantastic assortment of music,

dance, comedy and theatre on offer. I’m particularly

looking forward to MONUMENT to Charlie Chaplin (p9)

which includes a screening of ‘The Great Dictator’, and

The Hundred Years’ War (p8), which fuses poetry and

theatre to explore war from the Somme to Afghanistan.

We love hearing your feedback, so please let our Shop

team know if you have any suggestions. And do let us

know if you really like something – it’s always good to

pass on positive comments to the makers.

Sarah MossopVisual Arts Programme Manager

PS If you’re interested in works-in-progress and meeting

artists, look out for our regular Tuesday events – marked

with this stamp:

Hot Coals Theatre Ensemble presents

Storm in a TeacupSaturday 2 May, 8pm

Three old sisters, one birthday cake, buckets of tea and good old anarchy!

This darkly comic and cartoon-like piece is a window into the quirky and tender Chaplinesque world of three sisters in their 80’s as they fight the system to keep their independence. Ages 6+ Supported by Arts Council England.

£13/£11 concs

i www.hotcoalstheatre.co.uk @HotCoalsTheatre

Acting for Change Ltd, in partnership with Living the Drama

Silent on the MatterFriday 8 & Saturday 9 May, 7.45pm

Silent on the Matter explores the controversial and sensitive issue of ‘gender foeticide’: sex-selective abortion. It’s a story of close friends, from two very different backgrounds, who believe they truly understand and respect the other’s culture. When a shocking decision is made, it exposes hypocrisy and unspoken conflict; individual relationships begin to fall apart. Ages 15+

£13.50/£11.50 concs

i www.livingthedrama.co.uk

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Cardboard Citizens presents

BenefitTuesday 5 May, 7pm

Three interwoven stories unlock the frustrations and passions of characters struggling with their bank balances, their addictions, their histories and their own sense of self. Follow our three characters in a carefully crafted story about lives and loves and the social systems they have come to depend upon.

Cardboard Citizens is one of the world’s leading practitioners of forum theatre. The Company has been making life-changing theatre with homeless and marginalised people for over twenty years.Ages 16+

£12/£10 concs

i www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk

@CardboardCitz

www.facebook.com/cardboardcitizens

Box Office: www.ticketsoxford.com | 01865 305305 or from the Oxford Playhouse Box Office on Beaumont Street

THEATRE

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Oxford FringeFriday 22 May – Sunday 7 June, Various times

The Old Fire Station will be the heart of this year’s ever-popular Oxford Fringe. A thrilling mix of theatre, stand-up, music, magic, family shows, sketch comedy and performance art all crammed into two weeks. Acts include Oxford favourites Morgan and West, The Beta Males and the SatMatCo, as well as a host of shows and performers from around the country. 50 incredible performances in just 14 days - and all for bargain prices with special offers online. The OFS is the place to be this Oxford Fringe!

Various i www.oxfordfringe.org

@oxford_fring @underthefringe

Ticket prices i Further info


SatMatCo: Connie’s Colander

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TOA Performing Arts presents

Blood BrothersFriday 12 June, 7.30pm

Performing Arts students from The Oxford Academy have adapted and modernised the story Blood Brothers. Using popular music, dance and physical theatre they re-tell the tragic story of brothers growing up in different social circles and what happens when they are brought together.

£5/£4 concs i www.theoxfordacademy.org.uk

Theatre Scratch NightWith UnderConstruction TheatreTuesday 16 June, 7.30pm

Each season we have three scratch nights, one comedy, one dance and one theatre, where artists present emerging work and the audience feed back. It is a great way for artists (comedians, dancers or theatre makers) to try out new ideas, and for the public to see new and emerging work. Want to scratch your work at Theatre Scratch? Email [email protected] with SCRATCH in the title.

£5 (free to performers)

@OFSScratchNight @UnderCTheatre

THEATRE

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Troika Theatre presents

Black ComedyThursday 25 & Friday 26 June, 8pm Saturday 27 June, 2pm, 5pm & 8pm

Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer is a sharp, sassy look at the trials and tribulations of keeping up appearances, blindly fighting to get to the top and far too much antique furniture.

Some things are best kept in the dark. Ages 13+

£14/£12 concs

@TroikaTheatre www.facebook.com/TroikaTheatre

MadCap Theatre Company presents

A Midsummer Night’s DreamThursday 16 & Friday 17 July 7.30pm

Following on from the success of Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew, MadCap returns in the summer of 2015 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Combining the well-loved script and MadCap’s reputation for producing unique, engaging, energetic and understandable Shakespeare, it will be an evening not to be missed. Ages 8+

£12/£10 concs

@madcaptheatre www.facebook.com/MadCapTheatreProductions

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Midlands Creative Projects presents

The Hundred Years WarSaturday 18 July, 8pm

Midlands Creative Projects in association with Bloodaxe Books and the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry presents The Hundred Years’ War: the Somme to Afghanistan. Drawing on thirty-five extraordinary war poems written between 1914 and 2013, this dramatic performance fuses poetry and theatre to create a distinctive and deeply moving portrayal of life under fire. Ages 14+

£12/£9 concs

i www.livepoetry.org

@MidlandCreative www.facebook.com/MidlandsCreativeProjects

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Kings of England presents

MONUMENT to Charlie ChaplinTuesday 12 May, 7.30pm

An evening at the cinema in 1941 interrupted by a miracle at wartime. Monument is a short black and white movie, projected on 16mm reel, accompanied by an introduction featuring live music. A great night at the cinema for families, this short film is followed by a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator.

£10/£8 concs

i www.k-o-e.net @ K_of_E

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Live Attitude presents

Phil Buckley’s Big IdeaThursday 7 May, 8pm

Have you ever had an earth-shatteringly good idea? Phil Buckley hasn’t. After meeting a teenage boy who may have changed the world, Phil has decided to turn his life around and make his mark on the world by unorthodox methods. Filled with hilarious observations, anecdotes and unashamed jokes, this show may teach you a thing or two, but probably won’t. Ages 15+

£10/£8 concs

i www.philbuckleycomedy.com @philthecomic

So Comedy presents

Christian O’Connell: Breaking DadSaturday 16 May, 7.30pm

10-times Sony Award winning Christian O’Connell (Absolute Radio) takes to the road in his highly anticipated debut stand-up tour, following sell out runs at the 2013 and 2014 Edinburgh Fringe. O’Connell is a dad on the edge and if you’ve ever been a dad/had a dad/known a dad, this is the show for you. Ages 16+

£12/£10 concs

i www.christianoconnell.com @OC

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MUSIC



Comedy Scratch NightWith The Dead SecretsTuesday 19 May, 7.30pm

Each season we have three scratch nights, one comedy, one dance and one theatre, where artists present new work and the audience feed back. It is a great way for artists (comedians, dancers or theatre makers) to try out new ideas, and for the public to see new and emerging work.

Want to scratch your work at Comedy Scratch? Email [email protected] with SCRATCH in the title.

£5 (free to performers) @OFSScratchNight @TheDeadSecrets

Round Music presents

WaDaDaFriday 1 May, 8pm

Dade Krama founder member, spearheads the band WaDaDa, with a night of soulful ska reggae with African roots. WaDaDa’s original repertoire promises something for every reggae music lover. Their positive lyrics and upbeat vibrations evoke the golden era of reggae, uniting cultures. + DJ

£10/£8.50 concs i www.wadada.org

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MUSIC

The Sounds of SimonFriday 15 May, 7.30pm

The UK’s leading tribute to the beautiful music of Simon & Garfunkel and Paul Simon take you on a trip through 30 years of amazing songs. Hear all the hits that made Paul Simon the brilliant artist that he is today.

£12/£10 concs

i www.soundsofsimon.co.uk

@SoundsofSimon

Oxford Improvisers in the LoftTuesdays 5 May, 2 June, 7 July 8pm (doors 7.30pm)

A monthly concert of improvised music featuring invited guests from leading practitioners in Britain and overseas plus members of Oxford Improvisers. Details for each month will be available on the website and Facebook.

£9/£6 concs i www.oxfordimprovisers.com

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The Listening RoomTuesdays 9 June & 14 July8pm (doors 7.30pm)

Join us in The Listening Room…great music isn’t always at the weekend, great nights in aren’t always spent at home. Every month, three bands/musicians will perform in the theatre creating a platform to build connections between audiences, performers and the wider community.

£7

@ListeningRoomOx TheListeningRoom

O’Hooley & TidowSaturday 13 June 7.30pm (doors 7pm)

With a personal invite from Billy Bragg to play Glastonbury, sessions on 6 Music and Radio 2, a five star live review and feature in The Guardian, culminating in a MOJO Folk Album of the Year award for groundbreaking album The Hum, O’Hooley & Tidow are regarded as lionhearted trailblazers of contemporary music and songwriting.

£12/£10 concs

i www.ohooleyandtidow.com

@ohooleyandtidow www.facebook.com/ohooleyandtidow


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MUSIC

Dance Scratch NightWith Oxford Dance ForumTuesday 21 July, 7.30pm

Each season we have three scratch nights, one comedy, one dance and one theatre, where artists present new work and the audience feed back. It is a great way for artists (comedians, dancers or theatre makers) to try out new ideas, and for the public to see new and emerging work. Want to scratch your work at Dance Scratch? Email [email protected] with SCRATCH in the title.

£5 @OFSScratchNight @OxfdDanceForum OFSScratchNight

DANCE

Ran Kan Kan presents

Congo Cuba ConnectionFriday 19 June, 8pm

An exhilarating musical encounter of live music from Congo & Cuba.

• Grupo Lokito - an exciting blend of Congolese & Cuban musical traditions

• Oxford’s Ran Kan Kan - classics from the golden age of Cuban son, mambo & other styles.

• African & Latin sounds from DJ Badger

Raising the temperature without global warming.

£10/£8 concs in advance. £12 on the door.

@RanKanKanOxford www.facebook.com/RankankanOxfordG

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Lunas Contemporary Dance presents

Of Myths, Perspectives and TransformationsSaturday 20 June, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Of Myths, Perspectives and Transformations explores the transformative effects of emotional change: desire and resistance, and all the difficulties a new path brings.

£12 i www.lunasdanceproject.com @LunasDance

Summer IntensiveMonday 20 – Thursday 24 July, 9.30am – 7pm

A five-day course to develop the professional within the student, focusing on developing well-rounded dancers. Technique study, a mock audition, and a final show with the company on 25 July.

£300: email [email protected]

Final Performance25 July, 7.30pm

Participants demonstrate what they have learned, alongside Lunas company members.

£8


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ART - SPEAKERS DRAMA - MUSIC

LITERATURE

www.artsfestivaloxford.org

ARTS FESTIVAL OXFORD @ARTSFESTOXFORD

POETRY SLAM - POP UP ART EXHIBITION - NEW WRITING - OPERA LIVE - PHOTOGRAPHY - FILM - WORKSHOPS - COMEDYANDREW GRAHAM DIXON - JONATHAN JONES - TOM PIPER - SHAMI CHAKRABARTI

Get those feet tapping and bodies moving! We’ve got over 20 regular classes to choose from so delve on in.

Tap dancing, contemporary, salsa, Zumba, Pilates, ballet, jazz and karate. We have something to suit every taste.

For full details of all of our classes, please visit our website www.oldfirestation.org.uk/classes

Dance classes

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LITERATURE/

POETRY

Hammer and TongueTuesdays 12 May, 9 June, 8pm

The heart of Oxford’s live spoken word delivering glittering performances sandwiched by acclaimed featured artists. Check the Hammer and Tongue or Old Fire Station website for line up closer to the date.

£7/£5 concs i www.hammerandtongue.co.uk

@HammerTongue HammerandTongueOxford

Open Diary NightThursday 21 May, 7.30pm

Do you write a diary every day? Come and share extracts with John Retallack of Ruskin College and other local diarists.

“A personal diary…has a certain slapdash and vigour that sometimes hits an unexpected bull’s eye.” Virginia Woolf

£3

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Festival of Word and ImageThursday 11 & Friday 12 June, Times vary

The Festival of Word and Image brings five days of film, performance, music, photography, poetry, walks, and discussion to Oxford. A festival of meetings and ideas, of juxtapositions and surprises, fiction and non-fiction film, and much more.

Find out what’s happening at the Old Fire Station: www.pocketvisions.co.uk

Various @pocketvisions

LITERATURE

& POETRY

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EVENTS



The Lewis Carroll Society presents

Alice’s Day: Pictures and ConversationsSaturday 4 July, Talks begin at 10.30am, and are 30 minutes each

A series of short talks on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. 2015 is the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s famous book: find out more in three talks by experts. Part of Alice’s Day, a city-wide celebration of all things Alice. Feel free to attend all talks or pop into just one.

FREE i www.storymuseum.org.uk/alice #AliceDay

Science Oxford presents

The Curioxity ShowSaturday 2 May, 11am & 2pm

To celebrate The Oxford Trust’s 30th anniversary, Science Oxford presents a whistle-stop tour of some of their family show highlights from the past 30 years. Blow bubbles with a CD, use a water droplet and a laser to make a microscope, and see a fire tornado. Audience participation is encouraged in live science demonstrations which will delight and surprise. Ages 8+

£6 i www.scienceoxford.com @scienceoxford

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EVENTS

Oxford Gives presents

The Funding NetworkThursday 14 May, 6pm – 9pm

Looking for an entertaining way to discover and support transformational local charities? At Oxford Gives you’ll have the opportunity to hear from innovative groups committed to social change, and to experience the thrill of live crowdfunding. You can offer your time, money or ideas, so come and be inspired!

£5 i www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk/oxford

@FundingNetwork

Unique. Independent. Local.Find the perfect handmade gift in our independent shop, packed with a carefully curated range of jewellery, stationery, contemporary crafts and much more.

Your purchases support UK artists and makers, and contribute to our work with Crisis, helping homeless people gain confidence and skills in a unique retail environment.

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PlaygroundTuesday 26 May, 7pm

An artist-led initiative, Playground is an open platform for artists to share, discuss and develop new work. Playground, now in its 4th year, is the most fertile creative hub in Oxford. Get in touch to share your work or just turn up to experience some of the freshest and crispiest locally grown art.Supported by Arts Council England.

FREEi www.theplayground.org.uk @PlaygroundOX

A programme of

exhibitions, workshops,

talks and demonstrations

that explore how and

why art works are made.

Vessels presents works in clay by

Crisis members and professional

artist Georgie Manly.

Students from Rycotewood display

specially selected furniture made in

the heart of Oxford.

Turn the page to find out more about

the exhibitions and related events…

Visual Arts

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Visual Arts

GALLERY EXHIBITION1 May – 20 June

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm

Crisis members present works in clay alongside work by artist and project leader, Georgie Manly. Inspired by the collection of ceramic vessels at the Pitt Rivers Museum, this collaborative project explores material, process and concept, resulting in a highly original and personal installation.FREE

Vessels

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RELATED EVENTS

Clay for all!Saturday 2 May, 10am – 4pm

Work with artist Georgie Manly to try your hand at ceramics: create your own work in clay in response to the theme of ‘vessels’. All works will be fired and then displayed in the Old Fire Station window overlooking Gloucester Green (and available for collection at the end of the show).

No experience needed. Art and craft is for everyone – come along and have a go.

£2 towards materials on the door

Meet the Maker: Kina GorskaSaturday 6 June, 1pm – 3pm

I currently work in my beautiful small studio based in historical Yarnton (north of Oxford). I create contemporary porcelain crockery. Porcelain is a very demanding material, requiring a lot of discipline, patience, time management and heart. Despite these challenges, it has extraordinary qualities of pureness, elegance and delicacy.

Come and hear Kina talk about the process of making work in porcelain, then make your own porcelain fridge magnet that she will fire, ready for you to collect at a later date.


PART OF

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Visual Arts

GALLERY EXHIBITION3 July – 8 August

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm

The Rycotewood Furniture Centre has delivered furniture training in Oxfordshire since 1938. Located at the City of Oxford College since 2004, it is a renowned centre of excellence delivering vocational training for people who want careers in furniture design and making. July will see an exhibition of specially selected work from current and recent graduates to celebrate fine furniture design and craft in the heart of Oxford.

FREE

Rycotewood: Furniture Designed and Made in Oxford

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RELATED EVENT

Meet the Maker: Joseph BrayFurniture maker and Course Leader at Rycotewood, supported by degree students

Saturday 11 July, 1pm – 3pm

I am passionate about furniture! I’ve been directly involved in the furniture industry for the past eighteen years.

Make a simple coat peg using a combination of native hardwoods and coppiced hazel. You will use basic woodworking techniques of drilling, sanding and shaping, and use a rounding tool to make a traditional tenon joint.


Playground on Fire & Skyrocket in the Gallery25 – 27 June, Times vary

Three days of pop-up installations, performances and participatory events organised by PLAYGROUND, an artist-led initiative that provides a platform for artists to share, discuss and develop new work.

Expect the Gallery, Dance Studio, Loft and Shop Window to be filled with the marvellous, strange and beautiful creative adventures of the PLAYGROUND artists, including brand new work generated through the SKYROCKET scheme. Trust us to set your artistic curiosity on fire. Supported by Arts Council England.

i www.theplayground.org.uk @PlaygroundOX

PART OF

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Visual Arts

Following our sell-out Hidden Spire performances in 2012 and 2013, our professional creative team is now working with homeless people from Crisis Skylight to create Hidden Spire 2015.

Find out more as the project progresses at www.hiddenspire.co.uk

GALLERY EXHIBITION

14 August – 26 September

Open Tuesday – Saturday,

10am – 5pm

Artist Nicola Armitage documents the moments that we usually conceal from the audience, revealing the magic behind the theatre and glimpses of the processes and people involved in creating a play.

FREE

PERFORMANCE

Before The Tempest17 – 19 September Times vary

A prequel to Shakespeare’s The Tempest, full of the fun and fear of growing up.

£12/£10 concs

i www.hiddenspire.co.uk

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*With the exception of some events. All exceptions will be stated.

How to buy ticketsAdvance tickets for all events at the Old Fire Station are sold via Tickets Oxford and can be purchased online, over the phone or at the counter at the Oxford Playhouse.*

Visit: www.ticketsoxford.com

Call: 01865 305305

Buy in person: Tickets Oxford at the Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW (see map below).

Opening times: Monday – Saturday 10am-6pm. Please note, the Ticket Office is not usually open on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Tickets available on the door at the Old Fire Station one hour before the performance, subject to availability.

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Car park

Oxford railwaystation

Oxford railwaystation

Old Fire Station 40 George Street Oxford OX1 2AQ

The main entrance and cafe entrance are on George Street. Entrance to the shop and gallery is on Gloucester Green.

Visiting the Old Fire Station

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TrainOxford railway station is five minutes’ walk away.

CarParking in central Oxford is expensive, and spaces can be limited. The closest car parks are Worcester Street and underground at Gloucester Green.

Nearest disabled parking

BusWe are next to Gloucester Green bus station.

Park & RideThere are five park and ride bus services in Oxford. For details, visit: www.oxfordbus.co.uk/parkandride

ArtsattheOldFireStation

@ArtsatOFS | @ShopatOFS

ShopatOFS

Contact usArts at the Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ E: [email protected] T: 01865 263980www.oldfirestation.org.uk

MAY1 Fri WaDaDa2 Sat Clay for all!2 Sat Science Oxford2 Sat Storm in a Teacup5 Tue Benefit5 Tue Oxford Improvisers7 Thur Phil Buckley’s Big Idea8 Fri Silent on the Matter9 Sat Silent on the Matter12 Tue MONUMENT to Charlie Chaplin12 Tue Hammer and Tongue14 Thur Funding Network15 Fri The Sounds of Simon16 Sat Christian O’Connell: Breaking Dad19 Tue Comedy Scratch Night21 Thur Open Diary Night22 Fri Oxford Fringe begins (ends 7 June)26 Tue Playground

JUNE2 Tue Oxford Improvisers6 Sat Meet the Maker – Kina Gorska9 Tue The Listening Room9 Tue Hammer and Tongue12 Fri Blood Brothers13 Sat O’Hooley & Tidow16 Tue Theatre Scratch Night19 Fri Ran Kan Kan20 Sat Of Myths, Perspectives and

Transformations25 Thur Black Comedy26 Fri Black Comedy27 Sat Black Comedy

JULY3 Fri Festival of Word and Image4 Sat Festival of Word and Image4 Sat Alice’s Day7 Tue Oxford Improvisers11 Sat Meet the Maker – Joseph Bray14 Tue The Listening Room16 Thur A Midsummer Night’s Dream17 Fri A Midsummer Night’s Dream18 Sat The Hundred Years’ War20 Mon Lunas Dance Summer Intensive

begins (ends 24 July)21 Tue Dance Scratch Night25 Sat Lunas Dance Summer Intensive

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1 May – 20 June

Vessels

25 – 27 June

Playground on Fire & Skyrocket

3 July –8 August

Rycotewood: Furniture Designed and Made in Oxford

14 August – 26 September

Hidden Spire

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2 May Clay for all!

6 June Meet The Maker: Kina Gorska

11 July Meet the Maker: Joseph Bray

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For the latest, go to:

oldfirestation.org.uk

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what's on at the old fire station, oxford - may-aug 2015

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