When the Oxford Picture Palace (now the Ultimate Picture Palace) opened in 1911 it was Oxford’s first purpose-built ‘electric theatre’. The technology of projecting moving images on to a screen was still in its infancy, but the ‘cinematograph’ had become wildly popular and a wave of new cinemas quickly followed, offering thrilling entertainment to both Town and Gown. In a 27-year period no fewer than ten new cinemas opened. Join local historian Liz Woolley a fascinating illustrated talk on the history of the Ultimate Picture Palace and early cinema in Oxford with local historian Liz Woolley. 📅 Saturday 13 September, 1pm-2pm 📅 Sunday 14 September, 10.30am-11.30am ❓Talks are free, but advance booking on the Ultimate Picture Palaces website is recommended www.uppcinema.com #OxfordOpenDoors #Cinema #CinemaHistory #HistoricOxford #ExploreOxford #OxfordPreservationTrust #UltimatePicturePalace (fb)

We’re delighted to announce that Oxford Preservation Trust has received a grant from the Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment (TOE) to support the restoration of valley fen habitat at our Lincombe Lane Field in Boars Hill! Our land at Lincombe Lane, bought in the late 1930s, has commanding views of the Berkshire Downs and the Chiltern Hills. It is a designated Local Wildlife Site, combining unimproved grassland and wet flush valley fen habitats, which are both rare in Oxfordshire. The upper field is grazed and is accessible to the public. Below it lies the valley fen which is where we’ll concentrate our efforts. Thanks to this funding, we can begin careful restoration of the fen, as we’re doing at Larkins Lane Field in Headington, and Matthew Arnold Reserve in Boars Hill. A huge thank you to Grundon Management Ltd, who are providing this funding through the Landfill Communities Fund 💚 #LincomeLane #LocalWildlifeSite #WildOxford #OxfordPreservationTrust #NatureRecovery #GreenSpaces #Biodiversity #WildflowerMeadow #FenRestoration #BoarsHill (fb)