Category Archives: Latest News

Traditional Boxing Day Performance of the Mummers Play, Handbell Ringers and the Rapper Sword Dance!

Headington Quarry Morris Dancers perform the traditional Boxing Day Mummers Play and Rapper Sword Dance and the Handbell Ringers will play, taking place outside the following pubs in Headington Quarry:

11:15 The Crown & Thistle (pub now closed), 132 Old Road

12:15 The Six Bells, 3 Beaumont Road

13:00 The Chequers (pub now closed), 17A Beaumont Road

13:45 The Masons Arms, Quarry School Place

Marking the 125th anniversary of Cecil Sharp’s historic first encounter with the morris tradition in Headington! Free. All are welcome.

More Details

Would you like to take up Bellringing?

Headington Bellringers would welcome new people to join.

It isn’t very difficult, though a bit of musical experience will be a help. There is no need to be able to read music, as the notation is simply a series of numbers indicating which bell is to be rung. The bells are fairly easy to manipulate, one in each hand. The tunes are all familiar Christmas carols. The bells perform twice at each stand on Boxing Day, starting at 11.30.

They are planning practices at 5.30 on Thursday 4th November and Monday 25th November, at Carol Whittle’s house in Headington. If you would like to try it, please email Carol:

Boxing Day Walking Tour of Headington Quarry, 26 December

Maurice East will be leading a walk around Quarry uncovering the fascinating history of this intriguing corner of Oxford. During the tour, he’ll be telling stories about romans, ruffians, geology, gypsies, pits, poachers, wells and washing lines.

Maurice has given a number of very interesting and enjoyable presentations to Friends of Quarry meetings as well as leading several previous walks.

Tickets and more details are available on Eventbrite.

It will be great festive fun!!

Friends of Quarry 2024 AGM, 2000, 14 November, Quarry Village Hall

Our annual AGM will take place at 2000 on the evening of 14 November in the Village Hall.

The Agenda is:

  • Welcome
  • Apologies
  • Confirm minutes of the 2023 AGM
  • Co-ordinator’s Report
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Election of the Committee
  • Discussion on Quarry Matters
  • AOB

Refreshments are available.

Entrance is only available to current members of Friends of Quarry. It will be possible to join Friends of Quarry before the meeting starts.

Friends of Quarry Newsletter, October 2024

We have published our October 2024 Newsletter.

Residents of the Quarry will also receive a copy through their doors shortly.

Quarry Wall Survey, 1400, 26 October, Six Bells

Stone walls and alleys are probably the most visible symbols of Quarry’s industrial past and form an important part of the Conservation Area.

We would like to map the extent and features of those remaining walls and accordingly invite anyone interested in taking part in a Quarry Wall Survey to come to an initial meeting on Sat 26th October at 2.00pm.

We will meet in the Six Bells carpark where maps and instructions will be given out. The survey will involve walking through Quarry recording the height and length of walls as well as whether they have vegetation growing on them and rating the wall’s condition on a scale of 1 to 5.

To ensure comparable results from the latter training on the scoring will be given out. Participants can
then complete the survey in their own time.

If you would like to take part, please contact Lawrence Kelly on 07767 884642 or via email

Beechers Public Enquiry, 24 September, 10:00, Town Hall

The Public Inquiry into the appeal lodged by Mr Beecher against the planning enforcement order on 1 Quarry High Street starts on Tues 24th Sept at 10:00am in the Town Hall.

Members of the public can attend.

Further guidance on the process can be found by going to Guide for interested parties taking part in enforcement appeals and lawful development certificate appeals proceeding by Inquiry – England

The Quarry Social, 5 October, 1830

Friends of Quarry invite you to
the Quarry Social’ – enjoy an evening out with friends and neighbours!

Saturday 5th Oct 2024, 1830-2100 at the Quarry Village Hall
Fish&Chip Supper, Bar and Music
Free Entry, Fish&Chips (£10) provided by Tiago’s pop up van
Children welcome. Veg/vegan options available but please advise in advance
RSVP and Tickets 

Dates for your diary

We’d like to let you know about some upcoming events that you are invited to attend.

Tues 24th Sept 

Beecher’s Public Inquiry. Town Hall, Oxford, 10.00am

3 days have been set aside. Members of the public can attend.

Sat 5th October

The Quarry Social, Village Hall, 6.30pm

Meet and chat with neighbours over a fish and chip supper. Bar and music provided. More details to follow.

Sat 26th October

Survey of Stone Walls in Quarry, 2.00pm, Six Bells Car Park

The stone walls are the most important visible evidence of Quarry’s industrial past. FoQ would like to record and document this evidence and need your help. Come along and find out. More details to follow.

14th November

Friends of Quarry AGM. Details to follow

Holy Trinity Open Doors Event, 14 and 15 September 2024

Holy Trinity Headington Quarry are holding an Open Doors event on 14 and 15 September as part of Oxford Open Doors.

More information is available on their website.

More information on Oxford Open Doors is available on the Oxford Preservation Trust website.