A 'GAPING great hole' where a historic stone wall came tumbling down in bad weather had residents up in arms in 1986.

The partial collapse of the Grade II-listed drystone wall, which formed part of the boundary of Bury Knowle Park, prompted complaints to the council.

It followed a month of frost which damaged the wall, built a century ago, not long after it had been repaired by contractors.

The repaired section ended up collapsing in the bad weather and a heap of rubble was left for weeks.

Copse Lane resident Douglas Watson was so incensed he penned a poem to the council to complain.

He said: "This gaping great hole is all that's left of the new, I should think Oxford City Council must be feeling just a little blue.

"But, no matter, rally round me old mates. Just forgive and forget and yet again sting the good old rates."

The council at the time said not a penny from ratepayers will go towards the rebuild.