Look, Hear - Discover Oxford Road - Baker Street Productions

Have you ever stopped to think about the history and heritage of the streets you walk?

Oxford Road is undoubtedly one of the most well-known, vibrant and culturally diverse streets in the heart of Reading, but have you ever stopped to consider its history, heritage and communities. Join us as we discover Oxford Road through a series of audiobites; interviews from the present, imagined interviews from the future.

Stretching from the IDR to the Pavilion is an audio tour of 12 locations. Discover the street’s past, learn about its present and be intrigued about its future. You can follow the map and listen on the move, or save them for a cup of tea and a listen at home!

Look Hear Oxford Road destinations — Let the stories guide you down the Oxford Road

We often forget that history is always in the making. Every detail holds its own importance, every person and community their own intriguing tale and anything – anything could last forever.

So, would you like to know what will?

Episode 1 – The Pavilion

Amory Phillips tells us what the Oxford Road community means to LifeSpring Church.

Performed by Claire Morgon and Tiffany King

Episode 2 – Holy Trinity

Chris, pub landlord and church organist, takes us on a journey around the Holy Trinity Chapel.

Performed by Paul Gallantry and Tiffany King

Music performed by Andre Jacobucci and mixed by Marius Hopley.

Episode 3 – Best Foods

Our guide competes in a cooking competition with two other Oxford Road locals.

Music by RASPO

Performed by William Burrage, Victoria Wasilewska and Tiffany King

Episode 4 – Culture Mix

The Artistic Director of Culture Mix explains what music means to him.

Thank you to Mary Genis at Culture Mix.

Music by RASPO.

Performed by Caleb Obediah and Tiffany King

Episode 5 – Derek and his Bench

Derek Webb spends his days watching the Oxford Road.

Inspired by a poem ‘Snow on Oxford Road’ by Kathy Tytler.

Performed by Paul Gallantry and Tiffany King

Episode 6 – The Royal Meteorological Society

Mary Ratajowski, an odd sort of woman, has much to tell us about The Royal Meteorological Society.

Performed by Claire Morgan and Tiffany King

Episode 7 – Demain 1953

Son of a tailor, Jonathan Ryz, tells us what his grandfather’s shop means to him.

Thank you to Jonathan Ryz

Performed by Tiffany King

Episode 8 – The lawyer and the community

Martin McDonald wasn’t born on Oxford Road, but it’s more his home than anywhere else.

Thank You to Bill Montague

Songs written and performed by Jordan Apap

Performed by Caleb Obediah and Tiffany King

Episode 9 – Life during COVID

How have the people along Oxford Road fared during the COVID Pandemic?

Performed by Tiffany King with contributions from the community.

Episode 10 – Providence Chapel

The community at Providence Chapel have been caring for Reading’s homeless for decades, but how has COVID affected their operation?

Thank you to John Davis.

Performed by Tiffany King.

Episode 11 – Ghosts

The Oxford Road is over a thousand years old and many people have passed away there. Let Adam Byrne introduce you to a few of them.

Performed by Paul Gallantry and Tiffany King

Learn about the Battle of Reading http://www.berkshirehistory.com/articles/reading_broadst.html

Learn about Amelia Dyer https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/berkshire-history/shocking-tale-notorious-reading-baby-18906245

Learn about Adam’s Phantom https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/berkshire-history/victorian-crime-reading-mystery-murdered-10886699

Episode 12 – The IDR

The Friends of the IDR are major advocates of the road’s potential, but there are two sides to the ring road’s history.

Thank You to Reg Vastern-King and everyone from The Friends of the IDR.

Performed by Claire Morgan and Tiffany King

Background

In 2021, Baker Street Productions were commissioned by Reading Borough Council and Historic England to produce an audio pilot project for Reading’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ for short) – Oxford Road’s ‘Re-imagining the high street through your stories’.

Central credits

Written by Oli Hewson, Milli Dalton and Renee Quartey-Peluola

Casting by Martha Haskins

Directed by Matthew Whitelock

Recorded live – and COVID safe – at Clear Sky Studio, with technical wizardry from Chris Mitchell (www.chrismitchmusic.com)

Sound Engineering by Pedro Santos

Theme music composed by Vladimir Grudinov

The team would like to thank the residents of Oxford Road for telling us their stories which informed the audio tour, as well as the community panel that helped to support and guide the project.

A big thank you to Reading Museum for the support, to Courtney Higgs for her designs and Emily Marshall for her fabulous and evocative photographic images.

Produced by Baker Street Productions Ltd