Oxoniensia

The Rhodes Building was designed by Basil Champneys for Oriel College in 1904-9 and completed in 1911. The result, though loathed for decades, has been appreciated more in recent years; listed in 1972, it was re-graded at Grade II* in 2011. Its merits lie largely in its combination of originality and adaptation of 17th century models, and its significance in its departure from the Jacksonian model from which it sprang. it deserved recognition as one of Oxford's better buildings of the period.

Excavations undertaken by Wessex Archaeology at Whitelands Farm south-east of Bicester revealed a multi-period site ranging from the early Bronze Age to the mid Anglo-Saxon period. A total of 18 areas were investigated, but the density of features across the site was varied. One area contained a scatter of middle to late Iron Age settlement features, a rock-cut ditch, and pit clusters. One area contained predominantly late Iron Age features and evidence for settlement and agriculture, the exception being a Romano-British ditch and a Beaker burial. Other areas contained two enclosure ditches, stone-lined tanks and culverts, quarry pits, ditches, corn driers/ovens, pits, and post-holes structures mostly dating to the late Iron Age or Romano-British period. Stone-lined tanks and associated stone-lined channels contained evidence for grain processing as well as some mid Anglo-Saxon features and evidence for re-use of one of the tanks.

Sites investigated: Multi-period occupation including 20th century air raid shelter, stone vaulted structure, medieval rubbish/cess pits and Saxon pottery at The Queen's College, Nun's Garden Lecture Theatre; A robber trench for the 13th century city wall at The Wesley Memorial Church, New Inn Hall Street; Late Neolithic to early Bronze Age ring ditch at Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road; Stonework pre-dating the 16th century structure at Brasenose College; Residual medieval pottery and post-medieval clay pipe at University Science Area, Parks Road; A series of ponds and managed channels of medieval and later date as well as pottery, titles, and metalwork associated with the Abbey at Said Business School, Park End Street; Two pits of late 13th or 14th century date at Eastgate Hotel Carpark, High Street. SH

Finds recorded included: An Iron Age strap fitting from Goring, Roman Military strap fitting from great Farington, an early medieval harness mount from South Stoke and a medieval coin of William II from Chinnor. SH