The Wytham Project: Histories and Communities – Oxford University Oral History Group
Memories are very special, and we’re looking to building up a picture of life in Wytham village, Wytham Woods, at Hill End, and in surrounding areas back into the mid-20th century.
More recent experiences are also history. Memories are passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation, maybe never written down at all, so you may have oral evidence stretching far into the past, further than any individuals now can themselves recall.
If you have any stories to share please make contact with Robert Evans: robert.evans@history.ox.ac.uk
January 2025 – The Hill End Centre: 100 Years of Outdoor Education, Blog by Lucy Crittenden, Hill End Centre Director
Click here to visit the Oxford University History Faculty’s Community History Hub to learn about The Wytham Estate including Hill End.
Oral History Group Meeting – 26 September 2024
A small group of us met in the Green Dragon Classroom at Hill End, one of the original ffennell buildings, to welcome Jacqui Fynn who ran Hill End in the 80s and 90s to the group. Robert treated us to a delicious coffee and walnut cake and tea while we listened to Jacqui reminiscing and answering questions about her time at Hill End. Jacqui came to Oxford to teach Geography and English in secondary schools for a year in the early 70s. After this job came to an end the Education Department wanted her to become a Middle School Head. As she did not want to take up this job she responded to a job advertised at Hill End and asked whether she could join the team and “dig ponds”! Hill End was fortunate to add Jacqui to its staff, as after a number of years and different roles, she became the champion who ensured the continuation of Hill End that has led to the Hill End we know today. Angie and I both felt very privileged to have been able to hear Jacqui’s memories of Hill End recounted by such a sparkling witness to the benefits Hill End has brought to so many young people over the years.
By Penny Costley-White
