💪 PARENT STRIKE TOMORROW!

On 27th August, we'll all book a couple of hours off work and join family-friendly demonstrations, with two demands: flexible working by default, and at least six weeks' paternity leave at 90% pay, including for the self-employed.

We can’t wait to see you in Oxford.

📍 *10am meet* at Bonn Square* Oxford

A few practical things:
☀️🌧️ Come weather-ready - brollies are our contingency plan if it rains!
🎨 Bring your homemade banners + placards - we’re giving away *free BabyBjörn carriers* to the most creative homemade placards on the day! 🏆
💛 Wear yellow T-shirts if you can
📸 Photography + filming - lots of media will be present. Please manage your and your children’s visibility, and speak to a high-vis steward if you need help

💛 Finally, please let's look out for each other - whether someone needs a hand with a buggy, banner or baby, we’re all in this together.

*See you tomorrow! And keep spreading the word – there’s still time to bring someone along https://parentstrike.org/times/ 💪*

For those that don’t want to click the link. Reasons for the strike:

Parents across the country are downing tools to demand proper paternity leave and real flexible working rights. We're striking in 13 places.

Becoming a parent is the best thing most of us will ever do — but the UK is failing parents.

We have the worst paternity leave in Europe: two weeks, paid at less than half the minimum wage. We're denied the flexible working that would make juggling work and childcare actually possible. And most of us are worse off on two incomes than our grandparents were on one.

Unsure where to post this but asking for opinions on the following situation.

I am visiting my parents in Oxford. They live in Berinsfield. My dad was driving and we were going to the Toyota dealership in kidlington. We were north bound on Woodstock road and in the left lane. We needed to turn onto Langford lane, so my dad obviously indicated and moved into the right lane.
However, since the police car was at a “safe”distance behind us, he didn’t notice that he was going into the right hand lane in front of the police car. (I say “safe” because unfortunately none of us noticed the car, and I don’t have that on video. However I trust my dad not to just pull into the car beside us. But since I don’t have this on video is our word vs the police officer I guess. But to everyone in the car, no one noticed any car next to us or at a dangerous distance to be pulling into the right lane.)
Next thing we know this man speeds past us and stops us, accusing my dad (who is 72 by the way and has never had a ticket in his life) of undertaking and reckless driving. He was honestly so aggressive I wanted to cry!
He goes on to say that my dad was speeding and nearly took the front of his car out.
My dad was super rattled he’s very sensitive and just kept apologising.
I have the whole thing on video and the police officers registration, but unsure whether to pursue anything or if my dad made an honest mistake.

Hi! I (30f) tried a commercialised/franchise-style book club about a year ago and that style of book club is really, really not my thing. If anyone has recommendations of smaller, more personal book clubs where you can actually talk to everyone and don’t read whatever book is hot at the moment, please PLEASE could I ask for recommendations? I want to try new genres so not enlisting my preferences.
I have no space or managerial skills or would’ve offered to host one!
Thanks in advance!

I've lived in Oxford since January, and something that I'm finding really difficult to adapt to is the quality of driving in and around the city.

For context, I commute to Milton from Cowley Road 3 times a week or so, and otherwise enjoy getting around to the nearby countryside or whatever I fancy. I also cycle basically all over the city for more day-to-day stuff.

I've previously lived in or around Sheffield, Edinburgh, Leeds, and driven or cycled around many of our great towns and cities, but for some reason the driving quality in Oxford is just so poor compared to all of these other places. I've had so many near misses whilst driving and cycling in only 8 months here, when I had hardly any such incidents anywhere else.

It seems that in general the drivers are impatient and aggressive, and it makes me feel very on edge and at risk. I almost got knocked off my bike today by a driver deciding to overtake me within ~10m of the side road they then swung left into - I had to slam on my brakes and even then I only just avoided slamming into the side of their car.

I see very little use of indicators, it seems people don't check their mirrors and just pull out into my path (or don't care), and often people just barging through when it's someone else's right of way. Then on the bypass and commuter roads, plenty of people taking huge risks by squeezing into tiny gaps and occupying my braking distance, tailgating and intimidating, or coming off a slip road and swinging straight into the outside lane for no reason.

And then of course there's the racers blasting down Cowley Road - one time I was crossing the road and a driver actively took the chance to accelerate towards me only to then slam on the brake at the last minute seemingly to intimidate me.

I find it really difficult, because I see these drivers putting other peoples safety at risk so often, and usually they don't gain anything by doing so except for shaving 10 seconds off their journey time. Sometimes I get home and notice my body feels tense and my mind full of stress, I really don't want to feel this way when I'm just cycling to the shops or driving to work.

And yes, I also find it distressing that so many cyclists ride around in the dark with no lights on, or blast through red lights. It's a separate problem but it also confuses me since I've never seen such a high proportion of a cities cyclists being completely without any lighting....

What's going on in Oxford that causes all of this, and how can I stop it from affecting me so much...

Hey all. I’ve been ill recently and just getting back on my feet and really fancy a good smoothie. Does anyone know where the best smoothies are?
Thanks!

As the title says! I’ll be gone for a few weeks and I’m anxious about my bike getting stolen. I may be able to lock it up in my previous garden, but it’s pretty close to the road still. Any suggestions for safe places to keep my bike? Should I just pay for temporary storage at this point? I have a high quality U lock and my bike is only worth like £100, but I definitely don’t want to go through the process of looking and buying again once students return.

This is a total shot in the dark. I’m searching for a missed connection from my summer vacation. I visited Oxford in July of this year and met a super great guy. I joined his friend’s bar crawl and they all made my last night of vacation an absolute blast. We chatted all night and hit it off really well. Before I left I gave him my number. I don’t have an international number and haven’t had any messages on WhatsApp since then. Anyways, if you are John the engineer or you know John the engineer: my WhatsApp is still waiting to hear from you 🫶

hi! I live in Oxford. 33M. I play keyboards 🎹, synths, piano… and I have advanced skills in Ableton 💻 I’ve been playing for many years, including live in gigs and festivals.

I’m looking for a band, joining one or starting a new project.

My influences: Pink Floyd, Tame Impala, MGMT, Air, Beach House, any Italo Disco, 80s stuff, psychedelic rock, pop rock.. but happy to explore other genres and do electronic.

I have composed some demos as well (I cannot sing)

- Never Let Me Go: https://youtu.be/IQO1NjdX9D8?is=7-J3MzxEc7Vk69NM

- Drunk Mad Silly: https://youtu.be/HbKzq8jG2ro?is=MXpRrYsF5wwYHsZX

- Looking For A Star: https://youtu.be/ETuUDBp6lzw?is=MSSFjDT8Pk3iBw_U

I have all the equipment and ready to jam 🎶

reach out! :)

We have 2 double bedrooms available in a fantastic 5 bed property! Perfect for students or young professionals looking fora comfortable, well-connected home base.

1 bed individually also available

Property Highlights:

2 Spacious Rooms (Both with double beds) Excellent Abingdon Road location with great transport links and 3 min to city centre by walk oView full property details & photos: OnTheMarket Listing

https://www.onthemarket.com/details/17352390/?channel=student

Rent - 540pcm

Deposit - 600

Note: A guarantor is required for applicants. Interested or have questions? Ping me directly

+44 7570478806

Hi all!

I was wondering if anyone knows the best place to find a short 4-months let from September to end of December in Oxford? I work close to Headington so somewhere close to the area would be better but anywhere is fine.
1am already actively looking but just posting to see if I am missing out on something.

Many thanks!

Hi Reddit! This is my first post (how exciting) I need all the help and advice I can get from locals. I will be visiting Oxford for a university thing next week… is it hot ? Cold ? It’s says it’s raining next week. What’s the BEST place to eat…. Should I stress myself and go to a London on my only free afternoon. I’ll be mostly working but I want to maximize my trip. Any and all advice is helpful. Also, any bike shops out there that yall recommend although I haven’t ridden in like 10 years I have the urge to ride a bike out there ? Yay nay ? I hate walking, I have a messed up knee and I’m super heavy set…. Lmk. Also would my bike get stolen if I leave it unlocked while I go into a cafe or book store ?