Beating the bounds Last Thursday saw 70
people process through Oxford in a traditional ceremony known as
“the Beating of the bounds,” to mark out parish
boundaries on Ascension Day. In keeping as close as possible to
the actual bounds of St Michael’s parish, the procession was
watched by bemused onlookers as it walked through various shops,
bars and colleges saying prayers and beating the specially marked
boundary stones with their sticks. By Karolina Edge Don cavalry charge A New College don will
lead the cavalry charge in a film about Alexander the Great.
Robin Lane Fox, Reader in Ancient History, waived his fee for
being consulted on the film’s historical background in
return for the privilege of appearing on screen. The film,
entitled Alexander, is due to be released in November. By Thomas
Pusey Norman Remains Builders working on Abingdon
Road have uncovered 1,000-year-old ruins, thought to have been
built by Norman adventurer Robert d’Oilly, an Oxford
nobleman who fought at the Battle of Hastings. The remains are
believed to be part of a great Grandpoint causeway conceived by
him. It is hoped that they will eventually go on public display.
By Tess Andrews LMH Reject Mast The LMH JCR have voted to
reject a proposal to build a mobile phone mast in college by a
sizable margin. This comes after significant concerns raised by
students of the health risks such as mast would pose. LMH thus
has to forgo a projected £4000 in revenue the mast would have
raised. Catholic condoms The Papal Nuncio was
challenged mid sermon last Sunday at the Oxford Catholic
Chaplaincy. Archbishop Pablo Puente, an influential figure in the
Church, was preacing when there was an embarassing interruption.
An unidentified voice loudly exclaimed, “Your Excellency,
but how can you reconcile Oxford and the Catholic Church with
their banning of the use of condoms in Africa, with HIV?”
Two priests physically escorted the proponent of these views out
of the service. By Debbie Moss Baby Dragon Hoax A ‘baby dragon’
found in a jar has turned out to be a hoax. Allistair Mitchell
admitted creating the myth to stir up interest for his
unpublished book, Unearthly History. The dragon was formed out of
latex at the cost of £6,000. The stunt worked: Waterstone’s
agreed to distribute the book and HarperCollins subsequently
offered him a $150,000 three-book deal. By Thomas Pursey Test the animals Oxford Physiology Professor,
Tipu Aziz, has criticized plans for a national centre dedicated
to the study of animal testing alternatives. He accused the
government of sending the message that present labs excessively
experiment on animals. He added that it would encourage demands
for the complete cessation of all testing which would
“paralyze research,” he claimed. By Mark HobelARCHIVE: 4th week TT 2004
News in Brief
