Issue 44 — September 1999
In memoriam
Eddie James - Eddie, who died from a stroke on April 8 aged 79, made an enormous contribution to Jericho. He worked as a scout at Jesus College until he retired in 1980. He and Beryl had moved from Blackbird Lees to live in Whitworth Place a few years earlier and it was from here that they started the Jericho Tenants' Association, and later helped start the Oxford Federation of Tenants' Associations of which Eddie was Treasurer. They also went on to found Jericho's thriving Over-60s Club. A packed service at the Oxford Crematorium brought together lots of old friends from Jericho and from the British Legion, and also former students from Germany who had lodged with Beryl and Eddie. Beryl says that Jericho held so many memories that she found it difficult to settle and has now moved back to her original home in Didcot - to a flat that faces the church she was christened and married in. We wish her all the best.
Dennis Wise - Dennis, who had lived in Cranham Street since the 1950s, died from cancer aged 77 on July 2. He was one of Jericho's many notable characters. He could always be relied upon for strong opinions on almost any subject, many of which he used to post up on a little notice board in his front window. He often looked very distinctive too, especially in the summer, sporting his green shorts and red bandana. Dennis was a self-taught musician, and also a talented carpenter - the inside of his house includes lots of brightly painted carved features, and many local organizations such as the former old people's centre in Rectory Road used to rely on his skills. He also had a ready supply of truly terrible jokes. Cranham Street will not be the same.
