FIREFIGHTERS took on the task of unfurling a banner for Oxford’s upcoming international photography festival.

The advertisement, measuring seven metres by three metres, adorns Beaver House on the corner of Rewley Road and Hythe Bridge Street facing Frideswide Square.

Photography Oxford is being organised by Summertown’s Robin Laurance and The Oxford Times, the Oxford Mail’s sister paper, is the official media partner.

During three weeks, it will see world-renowned photographers exhibit in venues across Oxford, as well as a series of talk events with speakers including former ministers involved in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Festival director Mr Laurance said: “The fire service did it as a one-off favour for us on Monday after we asked them for help.

“The day was rescued by them really, because we had this banner arrive and realised it was a bit beyond our abilities to put up.

“So we were very pleased they helped – especially in such torrential rain.”

Mr Laurance is a photojournalist who has worked for The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The New York Times and the Washington Post.

During his career he has taken portrait pictures of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and artist Francis Bacon.

He added: “The festival is all starting to gear up now and everything is going very well.”

Some 20 venues will host photography exhibitions, including the Bodleian Library, the Story Museum, the North Wall Arts Centre, Modern Art Oxford and the O3 Gallery.

Photography Oxford runs from September 14 to October 5, and will be opened by digital industries minister and MP for Wantage Ed Vaizey.

For more details visit photography oxford.co.uk

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone's contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.


Our top stories