Can’t seem to get past

https://www.wsj.com/world/uk/a-ludicrously-ugly-bridge-is-exhibit-a-that-britain-has-lost-its-mojo-7015a654?mod=uk_news_article_pos1

Paywalled. Some snippets:

"In centuries past, the British built the Titanic in less time and for less money. The French erected the Eiffel Tower more quickly and cheaply, even after adjusting for inflation."

". . . builders hit a thicket of utilities running under the road. They needed to lower the carriageway by around 16 inches to let standard double-decker buses pass under the bridges. 

Other setbacks included the discovery of a 109-yard upside-down arch designed by the Victorians to reduce flooding—a finding described by Network Rail as the “point of no return” for the closure of the road. They also found a World War II grenade, which threw, well, another grenade into the schedule."

Why couldn't they have dug trial holes/trenches, along with the ground-penetrating radar they did use?

In Feb 2023 I could to get a discounted bus pass from university for £48.60 for 36 trips (Oxford Bus Company only). Now in 2026 it's £70.20 for 36 trips (again OBC only). That's an over 44% rate of inflation over 3 years. Clearly beyond any possible actual economic inflation we've experienced over the last 3 years. What kind of insanity is this!

The county council wants to discourage car use in the city, but that kind of policy only works in conjunction with reliable and affordable public transport...

My name is Paris Pick and I’m a Canadian indie-pop artist coming to the UK this February with my band, Paris Pick & The Pricks for our debut UK tour!

We’re looking for anyone who might be able to offer us a place to stay for a night while we’re in Oxford. There are four of us in total, but two of us are a couple and can share a bed, so we only need three sleeping spots total!

We’re a respectful, quiet bunch and would be incredibly grateful for any help from the local community. As a thank-you, anyone who hosts us would absolutely get a free ticket to our show!

I’m also a designer, so if you’re a local artist or musician, I’d be happy to offer a gig poster design in exchange. I’m also happy to help connect local bands with gig opportunities in Canada where I can.

I understand that hosting a touring band is a big ask, but if anyone has a spare room, a sofa, or knows someone who might be able to help an independent band, please comment or message me.

Thanks so much Oxford,
We’re really looking forward to visiting your city and meeting some of the local music community!

PP

15 and wanna get out of the house more but don't really have friends to meet with,, is there a list of local clubs aimed at teens I could access? Or like does anyone wanna be friends? Idc about age lol omg sorry this is so embarrassing

I’ve recently moved to the city centre, and am looking for a church to attend. I specifically want a serious, dry, Anglican Sunday service, none of that happy clappy stuff, waving ribbons and so forth. Ideas?

I am selling 2 tickets (£32.90) for half man half biscuit at the o2 academy Oxford for Friday 23rd. Will be transferred on ticketmaster. I have also purchased a souvenir ticket (£3.25) if that’s of interest to you as well.

Please let me know if anyone is interested :)

Hey all, happy (early) Thursday!

I have a spare ticket to see Micheal Akadiri tonight at 19:30 at the North Wall Arts Centre. I was initially going with 2 friends but 1 isn’t able to make it.

Free to anyone wanting a solo comedy night - it’s a front row seat too if you’re feeling fancy.

Honestly can’t be bothered about payment so first commenter wins. Can send a screenshot of the ticket.

Take care everyone :)

Mods please remove if this breaks any rules <3

Link to Micheal’s insta below, I’m looking forward to it!

https://instagram.com/michaelakadiri?rpxt=dmljMnI1NG9keWtp

UPDATE: Ticket has gone to a happy home :)

So I’ve been to Oxford once and absolutely fell in love with it. I did all of the main activities listed in this sub/ wiki. I’m wondering if there’s a ‘best kept secret’ type thing to do/ see?

I already know about https://tennisoxfordshire.com/ so please don't mention it.
Thanks!

Hi everyone. I'm a 30yo PhD student living in Oxford. It's been around 2 weeks since I moved to Oxford and I don't have any friends here. I'm really into art (painting specifically, I paint all the time basically), and I'm really passionate about classical music (as a listener). Other than those two main interests I'm a horror fan, specifically analog horror and I love A24 movies. It would be fantastic for me to find friends with similar interests in Oxford. I'm highly introverted and shy in general, so it's not easy for me to make friends, and I thought finding friends online can be a great opportunity for me. Ideally I'd prefer people who are close to my age/age group.

So I moved from South Africa to Oxford nearly 10 years ago. Worked in hospitality the entire time. I’ve had a think and realised that I don’t really have any friends outside of work. Crazy to think but every drink after work or invitation to a social gathering is from people I work with. I never hang out with any of them individually or really share a bit in common. I’m 29 and would actually like to start meeting new people with common interests. Hit me up here if you’re interested I guess🙃

Hi folks, it seems a lot of you are making unnecessary car journeys on the ring road, causing a lot of traffic. Please refrain from doing so, especially during the busy hours of the day (e.g. 5pm). Thanks in advance!

I'm trying to arrange entertainment for a party of 24 people on the Friday 11th of December but I'm pulling my hair out trying to find anything to accommodate that many people. Ideally looking for something crude like comedy clubs/drag shows, and something that'll appeal to a diverse age range (20s-60s. I'll be crucified if the best thing I can come up with is having an amble round the market!

I'm hoping you guys might have some inside knowledge?

Visited oxford last weekend and there were lots of groups of people in gown type dress. Whats that all about?
Some kind of fancy dress?

Not sure how aware people are of this, but Oxford has its very own Mario Kart Live Band!

It's basically a group of amazing local musicians (guitars, drums, loads of horns etc) who play along live whilst audience members play the game.

They're on at The Mad Hatter on Iffley Road every month and it looks like their next gig is this Friday, so I just thought I'd share in case people weren't aware as it's great fun and surely one of the most unique things on Oxford's music scene!

I'll be taking the bus next Monday morning from Templars Square, to catch a train at 10 o clock. I don't do the journey regularly, so I've been reading about the traffic delays around the station with some concern but can't tell if it's gridlocked 'just' around the bottom of Botley Road, or if it's affecting the whole of the city centre. Anyone got any wise counsel on how long it's taking to do the journey to the station?

Also until last week, she was the partner of Michael Gove:

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/26605325.michael-gove-splits-oxford-university-lecturer-26-years-younger/

Interestingly, the story of her arrest and forthcoming trial was published online by various newspapers (Daily Mail, Telegraph, some others maybe) yesterday but those articles have been withdrawn. Gove putting out injunctions maybe?