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Oxford's Covered Market 
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'WHO is Oxford’s Covered Market?' -
Exhibition currently at the
Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot. ...was a major business heritage initiative which told the fascinating stories of the people behind Oxford’s Covered Market. The project called 'WHO is Oxford’s Covered Market?' was a joint venture between OTCN Ltd, the not-for-profit limited company which is the driving force behind the Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network, and Oxford Civic Society. Made possible by a £50,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the project reflected the personal histories and personalities of the Covered Market traders, their customers and other influential people, and investigated how these have shaped the heritage of this unique commercial building. A key element of the project was supporting creation of a new showcase for the material and the Covered Market itself at www.Oxford-coveredmarket.co.uk |
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 The Museum of Oxford (www.museumofoxford.org.uk) hosted our exhibition focusing on the characters and the craft of the city’s famous Covered Market. The exhibition is at the Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, from 1st December 2011 to 22nd January 2011.  Called ‘Who is Oxford’s Covered Market?’, the exhibition mixed photographs, written portraits, archive material, a short "behind the scenes" documentary, and an interactive education section for children.  Museum of Oxford Education Officer, Kate Toomey, says: "The Museum of Oxford was delighted to host the exhibition and children's workshops that explored the long and wonderful history of the Covered Market, its traders, and its customers in such an accessible way. As Oxford's local museum, this exhibition was a great way for us to show a unique and fascinating history through the eyes of the community that created it."  The exhibition ran at The Museum from 21st January until early April 2011 featuring images taken by professional photographer, David Fisher, alongside a set taken in the Market by 11 year-old children from West Oxford Primary School. Excerpts of written portraits compiled by volunteers working with pioneering academic charity, The Oxford Muse Foundation, were also showcased. |
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Project Milestones Underway  The Oxford Civic Society's Tony Joyce and traders met up to mark the announcement of the £50,000 Heritage Lottery Fund award for the 'WHO is Oxford’s Covered Market' project. |
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Pictures and Portraits team in place  Following a tendering process pioneering academic charity, The Oxford Muse Foundation and acclaimed local photographer, David Fisher, joined the project team. Founded as a charity with the aim of improving personal, professional and intercultural relationships, The Oxford Muse is the brainchild of Dr Theodore Zeldin CBE. It took responsibility for developing the self-portraits of the Market traders past and present, which are at the heart of the project. Headington-based photographer David Fisher took portrait photographs of those involved for a high profile project exhibition. "I felt very lucky to have been chosen as the photographer for this project as it was a rare chance to produce such a collection of character portraits. Working so closely with the traders made me really appreciate the sense of pride, customer service and job satisfaction that they hold, and it was a great feeling being able to express this through the photography." |
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HLF Rep drops in  Paul Hudson, Chair, South East of England Committee, Heritage Lottery Fund, (pictured right) stopped by to meet Covered Market traders and get an update on how the project was going. He said: "I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and pride of the traders and their customers in wanting to record the long and fascinating story of what is one of Oxford's really special assets. There are very few covered markets left and it adds greatly to the retail vibrancy and choice that Oxford offers. The project demonstrates that heritage is just as relevant to the here and now and supporting the business and tourism aspects of the local economy. I look forward to seeing the exhibition at the end of the project." Primary School focus Cameras in hand, 22 year six pupils from West Oxford Primary School focused on the project in a week of special  lessons.During the week one of the traders briefed the children about the Covered Market, and the project's photographer, David Fisher, shared tips on using a camera and getting the best shots. The children then spent time in the Covered Market taking photographs which will be part of a major end-of-project exhibition. West Oxford Primary Headteacher, Julie St Clair Hoare, says: "I'm excited that our children are exploring and learning about the rich local resource that is the Oxford Covered Market. Having their own unique and creative photographic impressions valued and displayed will be very affirming and memorable for them." WHO is Oxford’s Covered Market Overview The project had four key elements: an oral history study of the people behind the Covered Market, the creation of a set of photographic portraits of those involved, development of tourism material to help tell the stories uncovered to shoppers and visitors, and the building of a legacy exhibition, including The Covered Market online and printed material. The HLF grant was added to by a range of sponsorship contributions, including a donation by the legacy fund from the former city centre management company, OX1, which was wound up last year. OTCN's partner for the project was Oxford Civic Society, a citizens' membership group concerned with the quality of Oxford's built environment and its impact on people's daily lives. The Society's threefold priority is to protect Oxford's heritage, appreciate today's city and shape its future. See www.oxfordcivicsoc.org.uk/ Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, HLF invests in every part of our diverse heritage, and has supported more than 33,900 projects, allocating over £4.4billion across the UK, with over £428 million granted in the South East alone. Details at www.hlf.org.uk Pictures by Alison Nicholson/OTCN and The OX1 Image Library |
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This OTCN-led project has been kindly supported by: 
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| A Bill Buck production for OTCN Ltd © 2012 | Disclaimer | Comments on the site? |
