The evening was compered by JLHT Chair, Mark Davies, who began by outlining the rationale for Jericho 200, namely that 1825 was when the first building plots to the west of Walton Street were auctioned, when Oxford University purchased the land for its soon-to-be relocated Clarendon Press, and when the ‘new Foundry and Iron Works’ which was destined to become Lucy & Co. was established.

Past Events

Sir Philip Pullman in conversation with James Naughtie

On 18 November 2025, JLHT hosted the highest-profile event of its Jericho 200 celebrations when Sir Philip Pullman spoke to BBC Radio stalwart James Naughtie in front of a packed audience at Oxford University’s Mathematical Institute.

The timing was deliberate, coming a month after the release of The Rose Field, the third and final volume of Pullman’s fantasy series, The Book of Dust. It was no surprise, however, that while the conversation drew out particular aspects of the new book (avoiding spoilers for anyone who had not yet read it!), the two men’s huge range of knowledge and experience meant that many other literary avenues were explored.

The event began with three canal-themed songs by Three Idle Women – Charlie Henry, Steph Pirrie (a JLHT trustee), and Jane Rouse – followed by an hour or so of conversation between Philip and James (or, Phil and Jim, perhaps, to make a local allusion!). James also invited questions from the audience, one of which included a suggestion that Oxford might hold an annual ‘Lyra’s Day’, comparable to the well-established ‘Alice’s Day’.

Photo credit: Nina Kruglikova

Jericho was, of course, mentioned, both because of its inclusion in some of the novels but also, briefly, because of the ongoing issue of the derelict Jericho Wharf boatyard. (Philip has had an enormously important role in opposing the previous, insensitive and unsympathetic, proposed development plans for the site, which has now stood shabbily empty for 20 years. One feels that in Lyra’s Oxford, she and her gyptian friends would not have tolerated such flagrant neglect of a site of such genuine heritage and practical importance, and would swiftly have found a solution!)

 After the conversation, there was a reception with drinks, supplied by Grape Minds, and an opportunity not only to purchase copies of The Rose Field, but also two of James Naughtie’s books: Spy Across the Water and On the Road: American Adventures from Nixon to Trump. In addition, copies of JLHT’s first venture as a publisher – A Jericho Scrapbook: Inside an Oxford Community Saved from Destruction – were also eagerly acquired.

All 300 tickets were sold, with a further 60 or so people attending as volunteers, associates of the author and interviewer, or as JLHT donors/ significant supporters. Sophie Law, of BBC Radio Oxford, interviewed Philip beforehand, and featured the event on her breakfast show two days later. The event raised in excess of £3,000, which will contribute towards the Trust’s flagship project, the restoration of our vintage narrowboat, Kilsby, and also to some tangible means of commemorating Jericho 200, once the trustees have considered a range of suggestions already received from Jericho residents.

Some of the comments from the attendees:

“I just wanted to congratulate you on the wonderful event last Tuesday. Something to remember for ever.”

“It was a magnificent evening, many congratulations to you for pulling it off!”

“Thank you, and very well done for an evening with such a great blend of lightness, good will and professionalism.”

“It was a really great event, so very well done for all your work.”

And from the venue, the Mathematical Institute:

“We are very happy that the event went well. It was a real pleasure working with your team to help make everything run smoothly.”

And James Naughtie himself:

"It was a privilege to have that public conversation with Philip and I hope he enjoyed it as much as I did. It was a delight to be there.”

With grateful thanks to our trustees and volunteers:

Amanda Webb-Johnson, Ameneh Enayat, Barbara Ashcroft, Charlie Henry, David Feeny, Helen McGregor, Jane Rouse, Michael Barnes, Sophie Stanley, Steph Pirrie, Tish Francis, Valerie Petts, Yuliya Bukus & Yvonne Bregman