Christmas Among The Dreaming Spires

Tracy Spiers gets in the mood for Christmas by donning a pink Santa hat and heading to Oxford ahead of its festive celebrations.

SIPPING Glühwein, soaking up the sun on a Greek island beach and having the chance to adopt a pavement made of animal knuckle bones may not be what one associates with the City of Dreaming Spires, but Oxford is getting ready for the festive season in style.

An established town since the ninth century, Oxford has been home to royalty and scholars and of course it is famous world-wide for its University and historic importance. Today its rich heritage is mingled with modern life, creating a bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere set against a beautiful backdrop of fine architecture.

My task today is to set the scene for Christmas which, bearing in mind dear reader, is not so easy when features are written in advance and there is not one festive tree in sight. I start my journey in Broad Street – a street known for its bookshops, including the original Blackwell’s bookshop at number 50, founded in 1879 by Benjamin Henry Blackwell, son of the first city librarian. It is here where the first Oxfam charity shop was established in 1947, where one will find Ballilol College, Trinity College and Exeter College; the Sheldonian Theatre and the Old Ashmolean built in 1683.

On this occasion you find me, a petite elfin character wearing a pink Santa’s hat, much to the amusement of surprised shoppers. I am not alone for I have managed to persuade Nicole Rahimi to join me with a matching red one. It puts us in the mood to talk Christmas Markets, which takes place in Broad Street from December 7-17. Homesick for the German Christmas markets she grew up with in her homeland, Nicole wanted to create the same ambience and experience for Oxford.