Epidemic portrait photography

There is an old English proverb: "Walking through Oxford is like walking into history."

At the beginning of the book "The Story of Oxford", there is a painting that has been lingering in my mind and left a deep impression on me ~

Chauvry (J.A., 1859- 1939) painted "Ranch Harbor", which depicts the Cote and St. Peter's Church in Lower Wolffer. Porter Ranch has been Oxford's public land since Saxon times, 1000 years has never been reclaimed.

The next page has aerial photos provided by the aerial photography Committee of Cambridge University ~

In Portemer, the traces of tombs in the Bronze Age are displayed as annual rings in the grass. Linear elements may be iron age farms and borders.

A meadow can be traced back to Saxon, Bronze and Iron Age in England, and it has an ancient and mysterious feeling.

According to Wikipedia, prehistoric times in Britain can be roughly divided into:

8000 years ago, the Middle Stone Age began;

2500 years ago, the Neolithic age began;

1600 years ago, the bronze age began;

In the first 900 years, the Celts migrated here;

The first 400 years, the early iron age.

Anglo-Saxon England refers to a period of British history from the end of British Roman rule in the 5th century, the establishment of Anglo-Saxon kingdom to the Norman conquest in 1066.

This map is also provided in the book ~

The above figures show: 2 is Porter Ranch, 10 is Wolfcott, by the Thames.

Thames is a river in the south of England, with a total length of 346 kilometers. It originated in the Cotswolds hills in southwest England. To be exact, its source is: 5 kilometers southwest of Worcester, with an altitude of 108.5 meters, as evidenced by stone tablets. It flows through major cities such as Oxford, Reading, Windsor and London, and finally flows into the North Sea. It is the second largest river in Britain and is called the "mother river" of Britain. Britain's long history, splendid culture and world-leading economic position are closely related to the Thames.

John burns, a former British parliamentarian, once famously said, "The St. Louis River is water, the Mississippi River is mud, and the Thames River is a flowing history."

From the map, Porter Ranch seems to be not far from home, in the northwest of Oxford. Open Google Maps again, there is no through train, and it takes about 20-30 minutes to walk west from home. For a painting (Chauvry's "Porter Ranch"), a place name Wolffer Cote and a period of history, I want to appreciate the flowing history-Thames, and I want to explore the ancient field-Porter Ranch. With a curious and curious mood, I went there on foot to have a look and get some air.

Recently, the weather is relatively cool, and the daily maximum temperature is around 16- 17℃, which is not as hot as in previous weeks. I drew a hiking route map myself and went west after breakfast last Thursday. Go through a few blocks and turn to A4 144 to the north. At this time, although Oxford City was partially unsealed because of the COVID-19 epidemic, Oxford people were still in a state of self-isolation, and they were quite self-disciplined because they had nothing to do. There are few people on the street. Occasionally a few cars pass by on the expressway, and the bus is almost empty. There is a church on the right hand side of the expressway, which is one of the road signs of this trip ~

This is the Catholic Church of Santigregori and Augustine. I took some photos from different angles, walked north along the expressway, then turned left into the first detour and walked west ~

Go to St. Peter's Wolffer Cote Church ~

It seems that it was painted by Chaufferie, and it has existed for thousands of years ~

Opposite the church is a primary school in Wolffer. Since the COVID-19 epidemic in Britain was lifted by stages in June, although the school has started, it seems that not many children have come to school. Some parents (nurses) send their children to the school gate and don't go in. They look around or wait outside the school. Maybe they find that there are not many children entering the school, so they don't want them to enter yet ~

Cross the path next to the church ~

On the way to Wolvercote Green, across the street is Chauvry's Port Meadow. The purpose of this trip is to find photos of Chauvry and take photos to compare the changes of the past and the present. Go in through this door ~

Looking around the pasture and comparing the paintings from all angles, the house is new and the style has not changed, but St. Peter's Church is not visible ~

Maybe it was blocked by a big tree, or maybe many new houses were built in front of the church. In short, the church can no longer be seen on the pasture, and this painting no longer exists. What a pity! Fortunately, the pasture still maintains the original ecological "narrow path" and there is no "modern" development ~

There is a bar around the corner. Plough ~

Plough translates as "plow" This is a local bar with a traditional English country style and the logo of King Green. Closed during the epidemic, but the outdoor part of the bar can be opened after the epidemic stabilizes in a few weeks ~

There is a road next to the bar, and I saw several locals pacing in from here ~

This is just part of the ranch. Oxford canal not far from you ~

This bridge spans the canal and is called "Bridge of Bohr". This sign by the bridge draws the road map of the Oxford Canal Heritage Trail ~

Just when I was busy taking pictures from all angles, I didn't guard against the fun of dogs, so I rushed to me and raised my front legs to beg for a hug ~

I was so scared that I made a hullabaloo about, stepped back a few steps, and instinctively raised my legs to do a "kick" action. The dog was scared by me, too. I couldn't bear to really kick it. I blurted out, "Sorry, I'm afraid of dogs." The old lady stood by, smiled gently and said easily, "Don't be afraid!" " After a few seconds of confrontation, the dog returned to the old lady. I was a little angry when I saw the rope tied and let him run around. Beautiful sweaters and trousers are impressively printed with dog paw prints with dirt, and dogs don't know how to keep a "social distance". I must wash this dress thoroughly when I get home! It's not infected with a virus, is it? I think my face may not look good, but the old lady's always gentle and friendly appearance makes me feel overreacted. It was not until the old lady led the dog away slowly that I returned to normal and continued to explore along the canal trail. After walking for a while, I saw that the old lady had turned back to the pasture across the canal and kept looking at me. She waved goodbye to me when we met across the canal.

Think of a sentence, travel is to walk from your familiar place to the familiar place of others. We are full of curiosity to explore a strange land, and all this is just the daily walk of others. She may be curious about me, too. She may want to know: Who am I? Where did it come from? How did you get here? What are you doing here? Maybe she wants to communicate with me through dogs? Maybe she didn't expect that there are people who are "afraid of dogs" in this world? I can't help but sigh: the furthest distance in this world is when we say something we don't understand face to face, and the deepest gap is language! Language barriers hinder the emotional communication and interaction between people!

This is a boat docked by the canal ~

Walk along the canal for a while, get on the bridge from the small steps on the side, and see a parallel railway next to the canal ~

A few years after the completion of the Oxford Canal, the railway was born, which led to the "idleness" of the canal (the Oxford Canal also has a long history, and there will be a special article to introduce it later).

Turn to Godstow Road, which means "God's place". It is located at the commanding height of Porter Ranch, from which you can see the panoramic view of the ranch.

There are also several people walking, running, walking dogs and cycling on the expressway ~

Standing on the bridge on Gosto Road, you can watch the gentleman walking his dog on the vast pasture. Unfortunately, mobile phone pixels are not good. Looking at the beautiful scenery, you can't shoot the effect ~

Walk along Gosto Road for a while, and there is a white house (landmark building) by the roadside ~

This is Kendall Crescent Health Care Center. There is a street sign at the corner in front of the building, which shows the "path" leading to the public area of Wolfcott. I walked in from here and walked into the pasture ~

This is Porter Ranch and Walcott Public Land (Harbor Meadow &; Wolvercote Common), 1000 years ago, it was used for grazing. Until today, there are still far more cattle and horses on the grassland than people. Walking on the grass, I saw three people walking, dogs walking, running and cycling. British people like exercising and sunbathing very much. It's cloudy today, and the sun will appear occasionally. Xu Lai is breezy and suitable for outdoor sports. If it weren't for the COVID-19 epidemic, it is estimated that this meadow is full of sunbathers.

According to the land of England (1086), Oxford citizens have to pay "6 shillings and 8 pence" to the king every year for a large public area outside the wall of the northwest suburb of Oxford. For thousands of years, Porter Ranch has never broken ground or been reclaimed. It is one of the few pastures used for grazing livestock in Britain for more than 0/000 years. Even when tourists ask about the oldest places of interest in Oxford, Oxford people don't point to churches or colleges, but to this huge Porter Ranch.

As a public land, it is not only a place for grazing, but also a place for Oxford people to walk, run in the morning, walk their dogs and watch birds. This grassland has never used chemical raw materials, and it is the best ecological land in Britain. As a special place for scientific research, it enjoys a special status as a nature reserve.

Walking into this vast green pasture at the moment, my heart can be described as "sublime". The sky is high and blue, and the pasture is endless. Cattle and horses eat grass and drink water leisurely, and citizens exercise and enjoy it here. They also see a lady walking on the grass barefoot and wearing shoes. There are also several families driving their cars and having a picnic on the grass. Happiness and happiness can be felt across the Thames.

Oxford people like to go out for a walk. In nature, under the blue sky and white clouds, large tracts of green grassland are like a thick carpet. After dogs run happily, the soles of their shoes are often stained with bird droppings and mud, and even the air is filled with the smell of bird droppings and cow dung. Although this is the smell of nature, it smells like flowers and herbs, but I am still not used to it.

There is a boundary pillar in the middle of the pasture ~

It shows: Wolfcott public land and parish boundary, 1899. -D. Collet, President of the parish council.

The location of the boundary pillar seems to be a dry stream and an ancient stone bridge ~

On the Thames, there are a group of wild ducks and white swans playing in the water. The Thames is beautiful and quiet ~

I walked in the direction of the parking lot, and there was a large closed space. Unexpectedly, this used to be an airport: Port Meadow Airport ~

The sign says-do you know? The connection between Medo Port and aviation can be traced back almost to the initial stage of power flight in this country?

Before the first world war

19 10 In the second half of the year, Oxford Freeman granted James Bates, a London engineer, the right to fly over the port of Meadow.

19 1 1 At the beginning of the year, a wooden house was built and the Imperial Aviation Club was established. Unfortunately, in a gale in June, 5438+0911,eight huts and all the planes were destroyed without any flight.

Frank Goodden, a former employee, bought relics and built two shacks and a 1 bungalow. Then, right here 19 12. He designed, manufactured and successfully piloted his own monoplane, named "Dragonfly".

1911may, a civil monoplane became the first passenger plane. Then from 19 1 1 to 19 14, the Royal Corps of Engineers Aviation Battalion increased the use of pasture, but started to use it sporadically from 19 12. The newly established Royal Flying Team (RFC) set out from "Ranch" and traveled to and from other places for military exercises. These visits were welcomed by the residents.

19 12 September, tragedy happened. A visiting RFC monoplane crashed while landing nearby, killing all the pilots and observers on board.

(Above) From top to bottom:

Photo 1, 19 1 1 In May, an Antenet monoplane visited Porter Ranch.

Photo 2, 19 12, Frank Gooden's "Dragonfly" monoplane is in front of his cabin.

Photo 3: Gooden's portrait beside the dragonfly.

World War I (ww 1)- What's there?

(Above) During the period of a. 19 16, a new road-Airport Road was built. B. Use the metal-clad rigging workshop to repair the damaged aircraft. C, canvas "Bessonnaud" hangar, which can accommodate up to 6 planes. The target in the Shiplit ditch and the concrete bunker of the nearby ground crew. E, forced landing training circle. F. powder target for air-to-ground shooting practice. G, aim at the plane's machine gun with the butt of the gun, and then change it to the shooting range. Executive cabins and shops.

Although the lines of Airport Road can be seen, the concrete "target" hut (D) is the only ground ruin left.

World War II Overview 1 (WW 1)

19 16, a royal flying corps (RFC) airport was established in front of the site in the north of Porter Ranch to train new pilots to fly. The role of aircraft in the war has been greatly expanded.

During the period from 19 16 to 19 19, several squadrons stationed in the airport continuously, flying various types of aircraft, including hangar 1 1, with more than 800 personnel.

Despite the activities of RFC, this part of the pasture is still an ordinary grazing area. The first thing in the morning is to clean up the landing site of animals so as to start flying! River fog and occasional floods are other natural hazards of flying.

(Above) From left to right: photo 1, a powerful Bristol fighter in front of the rigging workshop.

Figure 2, "target" cabin-a refuge for ground crew to set targets.

Figure 3: 35 members of the training squadron (P.k. Ross) are in front of Besono hangar.

Photo 4, 19 18, bird's eye view of Porter Ranch Airport tilted to the north.

After the war (post-war)

The airport was closed on 19 19, and finally1912. The rest of the hangars and other buildings were auctioned on February 1920.

During the two world wars, there were many "happy flying" incidents, exhibitions, visits and accidents among civilians. Today, Porter Ranch is once again a quiet place along the Thames. The small wreckage reminds us of the more aggressive aviation industry in the past-the only thing that is allowed to fly now is the model.

(Above) His Royal Highness Prince Edward VIII of Wales, the future king, landed at Porter Ranch in July 1933 and opened the current nuffield Orthopedic Center.

Casualties-19 12 plane crash

19 12 The plane crash in September killed two pilots of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), Lieutenant Claude Bettington and Second Lieutenant Edward Hotchkiss, which shocked Oxford and was widely reported nationwide. 19 13 In June, a commemorative plaque near the toll bridge on Gosto Road was unveiled in front of more than 10000 people.

(upper left) Pilot Lieutenant Edward Hotchkiss.

(Above, bottom left) Observer Captain Claude Beddington.

(upper right)1965438+the scene of the car accident in September 2002, north of the toll bridge.

World War I (WW 1)

Flying was dangerous at that time, and the crash was usually caused by pilot error, mechanical failure or structural failure. The parachute came out on 19 19.

From 1965438+ in March, 2007 to 1965438+ in June, 2008,10/plane crashed in or near Maiduo Port, causing 15 deaths. Most of them are located at the airport. At that time, two people were visiting, and now eight people are buried in Wolfcott Cemetery. The dead pilots came from Britain, Canada, Australia, South Africa and the United States.

(Above) The pilots who died at Porter Ranch Airport in World War I were all handsome teenagers, aged between 18-28.

In the center of the clearing stands a monument that says ~

I would like to pay tribute to those who served in the Royal Flying Corps and later the Royal Air Force, and those who died in the flight accidents of 19 17 and 19 18. They were stationed in this place or were visiting the flight training ground in the south of Porter Ranch.

On the back of the monument is a list of victims (see above).

There is a bridge near the parking lot, and this sign hanging on the bridge is interesting ~