A vibrant and informative AGM

Over 100 people attended the AGM of the WMRA this year. It was a lively an enjoyable social and educational evening

Summary of discussions

1. An overview of the year by Chair, Maggie Black. WMRA has largely been involved in planning questions this year but did also host a Coronation Event in May which raised over £600 for Home Start Oxford and helped coordinate the OxClean local cleanup in March. Our new website was also launched and can be found here. If you have any local knowledge that you would like to pass on to us for the "History' section, please drop us a line by replying to the newsletter or using the Contact page on the website
2. An overview of current planning applications being monitored by our planning team. Bryan Pickup and Helena Webster are leading the committee's efforts. They gave an update on the plans at the old Frog Orange site (the application was withdrawn and we await another), the plot adjacent to 1A Southmoor Rd (many objections have been made and are being considered) and the erection of a phone mast on one of the Lucy's apartment blocks (this has been rejected)
3. A financial review of the year. We have not run any fund raising events during the year and have paid the costs of various events largely from the money given to us by Metro Bank when we opened our account with them a few years ago. We currently have over £700 in the account.
4. The Committee now numbers ten people and includes two new members Godfrey Cole (Southmoor Rd) and Janet Minot (St Bernards Rd). Full details are available on the website.
5. A wonderful talk by Professor William Whyte who is the Chair of the Project Board for the new Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. Over £150 was donated by Mr Schwarzman, the largest ever donation to the University. It is currently running on time and on budget, has some impressive green credentials and is setting the standard for future builds by the University. We will endeavour to keep residents informed on the progress of the building over the next eighteen months or so. Once completed many of the facilities inside will be available for use by the public, including a 500 seat concert hall, a 250 seat theatre. a cinema and a black box theatre space.

Thanks go to D'Overbroecks School who kindly allowed us to use their School Hall on Leckford Road and Mark Jennings and the Rotary Club for use of the public address equipment.

New Computer Surgery in Jericho

If you would like some friendly help to get better use out of a laptop, phone or tablet, there is a new computer surgery service starting on 3rd February.

• First Saturday of every month
• 10am-12pm
• Jericho Community Centre

Advice will be given on getting the most out of devices, but please note, no help can be given with uploading software or in carrying out physical repairs.

Any confident users who would like to volunteer their services would be very welcome - please come along to a session or contact the JCA.

Singing Success

Over £1500 was raised for Home Start Oxford thanks to the generosity of residents who turned out to see the Clarendon Consort singing carols back in late December. Many many thanks to all involved!

Wishing everyone in Walton Manor a Happy New Year!
The WMRA Committee