Three women who made an exceptional contribution to Blackbird Leys have been honoured with new street names at The Aviary, the new Knights Road development of affordable homes, delivered by Peabody.
Barbara Gatehouse Way, Val Smith Drive and Aurora James Walk were officially dedicated at a ceremony on Thursday 22 October, attended by family members, Oxford councillors past and present, including Council Leader Cllr Susan Brown and Cllr Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, and members of the local community.
The ceremony celebrated the lives and legacies of three women who each left a lasting mark on Blackbird Leys.
Val Smith represented Blackbird Leys for 27 years as both a City and County councillor and served as Lord Mayor. Barbara Gatehouse was a formidable campaigner in Oxford politics and also served as Lord Mayor of Oxford. Aurora James was a much-loved local resident who lived in Blackbird Leys for 55 years and who raised thousands of pounds for charity including The Sailors' Society, SANDS as well as the NHS.
Andrew Smith, Val's husband, attended the ceremony and opened proceedings with his thoughts on the unveiling. A former MP for Oxford East, Andrew represented the constituency for 30 years, from 1987 to 2017, and served in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He also made his home in Blackbird Leys, sharing a deep connection with the community that Val represented for so many years.
Family members shared memories of the three women during the dedication ceremony.
The Aviary
The new streets form part of The Aviary, an 84-home shared ownership development on Knights Road, being delivered by Peabody in partnership with Oxford City Council.
The development is part of a wider regeneration of Blackbird Leys which will deliver 294 new affordable homes across Knights Road and the District Centre. This includes 174 homes for social rent and 120 for shared ownership, alongside a new community centre, new and improved shops, landscaped green spaces, play areas and better walking and cycling routes.
The regeneration is helping to create a more welcoming, accessible neighbourhood, with improved public spaces and facilities for existing and new residents.
The Aviary's shared ownership homes continue a tradition of helping people put down roots in Blackbird Leys, giving more people the opportunity to take their first step onto the housing market.
COMMENT
“It's wonderful to see Barbara, Val and Aurora remembered in this way. All three women gave so much to Blackbird Leys and the people who live here.
“I was particularly struck by something Andrew said in his dedication, about how the new roads and walkway seemed to reflect the personalities of the three women being honoured. I think that's a lovely way of looking at it. Their names will become part of everyday life here, and a lasting reminder of the people who helped shape this community.
“It's especially fitting that we're celebrating their contribution as Blackbird Leys continues to grow and change, with new affordable homes welcoming families and new opportunities being created for local residents.”
- Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities
