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Inspector Morse Weekend

Saturday 25th. - Sunday 26th. October 1997

Report by Brian W. Pugh

The weekend started on the Saturday outside The Bear Hotel, Woodstock where we were collected in the first mini-bus ably driven by Antony Richards; the second mini-bus was collecting others of the group at Oxford station. When then moved off for our first visit to Jericho and took morning coffee at The Bookbinder’s Arms and then a short walk to Canal Street and the canal, these both being part of the settings from The Dead Of Jericho. It was during the coffee break that we met up with the rest of the group in the second mini-bus. On leaving Jericho, we made our way to Oxford to pick up Colin Dexter from his home and then drove to Wytham Woods. On arriving at the woods, Colin took us for a short walk into the woods and discussed the area on which the story The Way Through The Woods was based. Lunch was taken at The Trout, Wolvercote; this public house was featured in The Wolvercote Tongue, this is a lovely setting and is situated beside the river. After lunch we made our way back to Oxford with Colin pointing out various points of interest especially the public houses! On arrival at Oxford, we had a too short an introductory talk by the Curators of The University Museum and The Pitt Rivers Museum, but we did have time to look around both museums on our own and to view the knife used in the story The Daughters Of Cain. On leaving the museums, we then made our next stop at The Randolph Hotel for a very enjoyable cream tea, The Randolph has featured in several episodes including The Wolvercote Tongue. The evening meal was a Gala Dinner held in the private dining room at The Marlborough Arms, Woodstock; this was featured in The Last Bus To Woodstock. After a very enjoyable meal, the guest of honour, Colin Dexter kept us entertained with a very witty and interesting talk about his fictional creation.

On Sunday, we were again picked up outside The Bear Hotel and made our way to Thrupp and The Boat Inn for morning coffee. The Boat Inn featured in The Riddle Of The Third Mile and during this visit we had time to walk a short distance along the bank of The Oxford Canal. After taking a group photograph, we moved onto Brasenose College – this is called Lonsdale College in the novels and television series. It was during this journey that our coaches parted company somehow; it was an amusing sight to see one coach going one way and the other coach going the opposite way, but heading for the same destination. We managed to get together again and arrived at Brasenose College for brunch. It was during brunch that Colin Dexter rejoined us, signed books and posed for photographs. After lunch, M. C. Black gave a brief talk on the history of the college and then a guided tour around the quadrangles. We then had a guided walking tour of places of interest to Inspector Morse enthusiasts in the centre of Oxford; what a lovely City Oxford is. On completion of the walk, afternoon tea was taken at The Eagle and Child; the pub is known locally as The Bird and Baby and was featured in The Secret Of Annexe 3.

As a Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes addict, I attended this weekend as company for my partner Christine who is a Morse fan and always comes with me to Holmes functions. I was not particularly interested in Morse, I have only ever watched the television series occasionally, but after this weekend I am converted; I will have to read the books now.

What made the weekend so very interesting was the knowledge of the books and the Oxford area that was shown by our main guide Lindsay Siviter and Philip Attwell, who made everything so interesting and clear. I would also like to thank the mini-coach drivers Antony Richards, Mark Bumford and Bill Fulton for safely driving us about. Thanks also to Andrew Butler for compiling an Inspector Morse crossword. Congratulations to the joint winners Pam Bruxner and Geoffrey Stavert and the runner-up Catherine Cooke, and to M. C. Black for his impromptu talk and tour at Brasenose, well done. The biggest thanks must go to Antony Richards for arranging a really interesting and educational weekend. More of the same next year, please!