Aung San Suu Kyi visits Oxford

This morning, hundreds of people lined Catte Street to welcome Aung San Suu Kyi back to Oxford as she made her way to the Sheldonian Theatre to partake in Oxford's annual Encaenia Ceremony.  After years of isolation, her visit today was of particular significance as she was finally able to receive the honorary doctorate awarded to her in 1993, while under house arrest in Yangon. 

 

Today, Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded an advanced degree in civil law during Oxford's annual Encaenia ceremony.




Aung San Suu Kyi studied politics, philosophy and economics at St Hugh's and later lived in Park Town, north Oxford.

The Chancellor of Oxford Universty, the Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes.

Seven leading figures from the worlds of science, the arts, intelligence and business were also honored in this year's ceremony. For more information, check out the Univerity of Oxford website.

Sir Roger Bannister

On this day in 1954, Sir Roger Bannister, a 25 year old medical student became the first man to 

run a mile in less than four minutes. Cheered on by over 3000 spectators at the Iffley Road Sports Stadium, Bannister completed the 'miracle mile' in 3:59:04. His main rival, Australian athlete John Landy broke this record just one month later, however the current record is held by Moroccan, Hicham El Guerrouj who ran a time of 3:43:13 in Rome, 1999. 

For those of you who are up for the challenge, (or like me would simply like to visit), day passes for the 'Roger Bannister' running track can be purchased for approx £3 at the Iffley Rd Sports Stadium.

Today, the stadium remains the central focus for Oxford University sport and includes; a 25 meter swimming pool, a small gym and weights room with state of the art rowing equipment, badminton courts, grass tennis courts, an indoor rock climbing wall, and a grandstand housing a rugby pitch and the famous Roger Bannister running track. The best news of all, although it is not widely advertised, is that membership is open to both students and members of the general public.

Those visiting the Iffley Rd Sports Complex will find this Blue Plaque just outside on Iffley Rd. 

If you look carefully, you'll find lots of these plaques sprinkled throughout Oxfordshire, commemorating the significant people, places and events that have shaped Oxfordshire's past.

Whilst running the first sub-four minute mile was surely one of his greatest achievements,  

Bannister was also the first Chairman of the Sports Council, (now called Sport England) and was knighted for his service in 1975. During his time in Oxford he attended Merton College and became 

a distinguished neurologist and Master of Pembroke College, before retiring in 2001. 

Hungry for more? Check out "The First Four Minutes", Roger Bannister's own account of becoming the first man to run a mile in under four minutes.

Emma Watson returns to Oxford

If you've been out and about in town lately and seen someone who looked just like Emma Watson, chances are it was probably her. Despite a net worth of nearly £24 million, she is having no trouble blending in with her fellow students and looks very happy to be back in Oxford. 

Emma Watson is currently studying at Oxford University Photo: emmwatson.com

Not only were many of the scenes from the Harry Potter films which made her so famous filmed in Oxford, she also attended school here as a child. Although born in Paris, Emma moved to Oxford at the age of 6 and attended Dragon School, which believe it or not, is an actual co-ed boarding/ day school in Oxford - Cool name isn't it? She also spent time at the Headington School before being cast as Hermione at just nine years of age.

Emma recently returned to Oxford to study English at Worcester College, on an exchange year from Brown University in the States. It seems a Hogwarts education just wasn't enough!

Johnny Depp visits Oxford!

Who better to warm our hearts on a dreary Autumn day than Hollywood super star Johnny Depp?

Visiting Oxford for an informative question and answer session about his new movie, The Rum Diary, Depp graced our streets yesterday in true Hollywood style. It appears he had even done his nails especially for the occassion...Is that Oxford Blue varnish he's wearing?

Tickets to Depp's hour long session at Oxford Union proved so popular that a ballot had to be drawn. Is it any wonder? All I can say is I'm very envious of the 500 lucky students who got to attend.