Why?
Warren Farm, maybe
Culham MX Track
Culham railway bridge
Nuneham House
Wildflower meadow
Early autumn?
Kennington railway bridge
Thames path bridge over Hinksey Stream
The starting ring (or, for John, the nose rub bull)
This bronze sculpture of an ox, known as the starting ring, is under the stone bridge near Iffley lock, down the steps and near the River Thames. It was presented by Lord Desborough to the Oxford University Boat Club (O.U.B.C).
On the left is an interlocked pair of Ds, representing Lord Desborough, and on the right is the crest of the University of Oxford. The ring that used to be in the bull’s nose has disappeared.
The inscription on the stone underneath the sculpture reads:
STARTING RING
PRESENTED TO THE O.U.B.C.
BY
LORD DESBOROUGH
1924
Lord Desborough (1855–1955) rowed for Oxford in the Boat Race in 1877, when there was a dead heat, and again in 1878, when Oxford won. He was President of the Oxford University Boat Club in 1879. He was also responsible for bringing the Olympic Games in London in 1908. He was the Chairman of Thames Conservancy at the time that the sculpture was erected.
[source]
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7 replies on “Photos from cruise on Thursday 15th August – Abingdon to Oxford on Salter’s Steamers”
Thank you David,
Great photographs from our trip today. As always, you have a keen eye for detail.
Great pictures, David – I really like the one entitled ‘Early Autumn’
Agreed. It would make a great puzzle!
Great set of photos David!
Wildflower meadow was great .The flowers seem to be floating over their stalks!
You’re very lucky to have The Thames flowing through Oxfordshire and the photos show well the beauty and interest along the river.
Great photos, thank you for the info on the bulls starting ring.
Good to see you both last night