News RSS Feed


Your chance to choose road name

4:57pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

comment Comments (90)   Have your say »

By George Hamilton »

A former Lord Mayor, a headteacher and a champion of Pakistani immigrants are among candidates who may be immortalised on an Oxford estate.

Oxford City Council has drawn up a shortlist of five people known for their community work who may have new roads named after them in Rose Hill.

On Monday,the council south east area committee will decide if Sher Afzal Khan, Norman Brown, Alderman Percy Bromley, Constance Norman or Stephen Field will become permanent fixtures on the estate.

Only three of the five will be successful as the council seeks to give the new streets a historic feel when they are created as part of the estate's regeneration.

Today, residents urged the councillors to consider local opinions - and the votes of Oxford Mail readers - before making a decision.

From today, visitors to oxfordmail.co.uk will be able to vote for which of the five names they would like to see in Rose Hill.

The results will be made available to the committee before the councillors make a final decision.

Jennifer Marshall, from Nowell Road, said: "I think the vote is a good idea. People up here know the history of the estate - we should be the ones that choose.

"To them it is just a name whereas to us it will be representing a person who had an impact on our lives."

Ms Marshall said she wanted one of the roads named after Constance Norman, her former headmistress at Rose Hill First School, in The Oval.

She said: "She was like everybody's granny. She was so easy going - you could sit on her lap and talk to her. She would always know if there was anything wrong.

"It is a pity there are not more people like her here now because we would not have so many delinquents."

The three new roads are being created as part of a massive overhaul of the estate, which will see 250 new houses built over the next four years.

Space for the roads has been created by the demolition of Orlit houses, originally erected as a temporary solution to housing shortages, but which have now outlived their intended life- span.

The roads will sit between Nowell Road and Desborough Crescent and off of Thames View Road and Rivermead Road.

SHER AFZAL KHAN

Mr Khan arrived in Oxford from Pakistan in 1962 and later launched the Pakistan Welfare Association to help the local immigrant population.

NORMAN BROWN Editor of the Rose Hill roundabout newsletter for 29 years and founded the Orlits Tenants' Association.

ALDERMAN PERCY BROMLEY

Former Lord Mayor of Oxford in 1969/70 who represented the estate as a city councillor from 1952.

CONSTANCE NORMAN

Headmistress of Rose Hill First School for 12 years and former vice chairman of Age Concern Oxford.

STEPHEN FIELD

A block of retirement flats in Rivermead Road which were demolished ahead of the redevelopment were named after Mr Field. He is believed to have been a charitable man who lived in the area in the 18th century.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourOxford

Alan, says...
5:26pm Thu 3 Jul 08

Campsfield would be a great name. It would allow the memory of the great and beautiful building in Kidlington to live on.
My second choice would have to be Enoch Powell a fitting tribute to a great British statesman.

Report this post »

cottage2day, Cowley says...
5:32pm Thu 3 Jul 08

Alan wrote:
<b> Campsfield would be a great name. It would allow the memory of the great and beautiful building in Kidlington to live on.
My second choice would have to be Enoch Powell a fitting tribute to a great British statesman.</b>
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Why dont they just blow Rose Hill up then they wouldnt have the issue of what to name the road.

Report this post »

Paul, Oxford says...
5:37pm Thu 3 Jul 08

Nothing shouts 'council estate' more than roads named after local worthies.

Report this post »

R, oxford says...
6:43pm Thu 3 Jul 08

Vicky Pollard Street?

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
7:02pm Thu 3 Jul 08

Khyber Pass wins hands down.

Partition Gate could also be in the running.

Report this post »

Zacharias Ziela, Rose Hill says...
8:31pm Thu 3 Jul 08

Although I consider the Labour Party just about the worst thing that ever happened to Britain, I think Percy Bromley stumbled into it more by accident than design. Percy was a fine family man, what Americans call a 'regular guy'. For most of his working life he was a skilled print worker at the old Newspaper House in New-in-Hall Street, and was Father of the Chapel for his trade union. He later became a Labour City Councillor, and in due course Lord Mayor. Certainly, one road should be named after Percy Bromley.

Report this post »

David, wantage says...
9:08pm Thu 3 Jul 08

In reality, there's only four to choose from - wait and see.

Report this post »

David, wantage says...
9:11pm Thu 3 Jul 08

David wrote:
In reality, there's only four to choose from - wait and see.
Sorry, a bit tired - I meant there are only two roads left to name!

Report this post »

Nagdealer, Poole says...
9:41pm Thu 3 Jul 08

David wrote:
David wrote: In reality, there's only four to choose from - wait and see.
Sorry, a bit tired - I meant there are only two roads left to name!
David, what you mean is one is certain. Who will be the other two!

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
11:53pm Thu 3 Jul 08

Hows about a local POW camp commander,too obviously demeaning?

Report this post »

onon, oxford says...
4:13am Fri 4 Jul 08

most of these people would turn in there graves if they see the rose hill of today,or OUR country ,what a f***ING mess.never vote labour again!dumping ,handout,uk.

Report this post »

craig brown, northway says...
3:33pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Norman Brown did alot of work for the rose hill community over a 29 year period. I think it would be a great honour for the road to be named after him

Report this post »

Emma, oxford says...
3:50pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Norman Brown Derserves 2 Have a Road Named After Him Because, He Did Alot Of Work For Rose Hill And Did'nt Get Payed For All The Hard Work He Did!!!
Norman Brown Whata LEGEND!!!

Report this post »

Mr Morgan, says...
3:52pm Fri 4 Jul 08

There is only two names in the above list that are good suggestions.

As going by the map in todays Oxford Mail, road one, should be named Stephen Field Road, road two should be named Norman Brown Road and finally the third road shouldn't be named after anyone in the above list but however should be named after William Buckingham because he has done more to the community of Rose Hill then any of the entries left from the list above.

Also a road name shouldn't be named after Sher Afzal Khan as he hasn't done anything for Rose Hill.

Report this post »

Barry Brooks, rose hill says...
4:00pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Norman Brown Needs Theese Votes, You Dont Realise How Important It Is For Theese Votes!
Come On Mr Brown !
You Derserve This SON!

Report this post »

Emma, oxford says...
5:35pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Come On Every1 Get Yur The Right Hat On And Vote 4 Norman Brown He Derserves This The Most, All Family Are Pleased For Him For Hes Hard Work !!

Report this post »

Ruth Wilkinson, Rose Hill says...
5:58pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Sadly, the list of names is incomplete as the Rose Hill Tenants and Residents Association asked for the names of Constance Norman AND John Parker to be added to the list. John Parker was a well loved local City Councillor who was involved in setting up the youth football team(s) on Rose Hill. Somehow this name has been missed off the list for consideration by the South East Area Committee on Monday

Report this post »

Sharon, Abingdon says...
6:38pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Norman Brown deserves to be remembered and honoured;he never stopped working for the people of Rose Hill.He did much more than just edit the RoseHill roundabout;he was more like an unpaid councillor.Also he lived on the estate....Why is this poll happening anyway?A lot of the people who remember what a great man my Gramp was are unlikely to go on the internet.

Report this post »

Alice smith, oxford says...
6:51pm Fri 4 Jul 08

it should b called Norman Brown road coz hes is da best n hes dun loads 4 rose hill go Norman Brown!!!

Report this post »

Emma Brown, 828-009 says...
6:54pm Fri 4 Jul 08

i Never New My Great Gramp Norman Butt What i Do No That Hes A Loved Man By All The Brown Family And Friends And Hes Done Alot For Rose Hill Annd Around Areas And No Matter What Thee Poll Is Norman Should Win This!

Report this post »

john fray, Oxford says...
7:21pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Norman Brown gets my vote, since he was a man who not only spoke his beliefs, but did all that he could to put them into practice for the good of his community.

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
7:43pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Stranglers Walk is my choice.

Report this post »

kevin, abingdon says...
8:23pm Fri 4 Jul 08

residents welfare 1st. norman brown 1st .

Report this post »

Carrie Davis, Kidlington says...
8:26pm Fri 4 Jul 08

firstly Why are there people out there that take great pleasure of taking the mick out of this poll? My Great Gramp Norman Brown was a remarkable man,with many talents,his actions were for the people on rosehill.his memory should live on with a road named after him.
everyone vote for NORMAN BROWN!!!!!!!!!

Report this post »

chloe, rosehill says...
1:19pm Sat 5 Jul 08

why do we have to have it named after a person , the names are too long, name the roads after flowers something simple like bluebell close/rd or rose etc

Report this post »

shaun, rosehill says...
1:24pm Sat 5 Jul 08

as l am going to live in one of these roads there not actually rods but closes,to keep it simple l think they should be named aftre trees or rivers in tree uk, ie ,willow close or colne close not a mouthful of a name that is being put forward.............
........

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
7:13pm Sat 5 Jul 08

Something that anticipates global warming?

Saguaro Steet,twiined with somewhere in Arizona?

Maybe the ugly boot of history need not descend upon the hapless townsfolk.

Report this post »

aamir, bristol says...
10:14pm Sat 5 Jul 08

i vote for mr Khan. He has done a lot for the community. He deservs It.

Report this post »

a khan, oxford says...
11:32pm Sat 5 Jul 08

i also vote for mr Khan (I am not his relative and am from a different area). He has done a lot for the community. He really deservs it!

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
1:01am Sun 6 Jul 08

Sad Hill and Arch Stanton Close for me.

Report this post »

Mr Hussain, Oxford says...
10:36am Sun 6 Jul 08

The work khan did for all the asian community was totally voluntary through out Oxford. So he gets my vote!!!!

Report this post »

Alan, Oxford says...
11:08am Sun 6 Jul 08

I was once a neighbour of Mr Khan, he not only did work for the asian community but helped anyone in need as he was a kind, generous and a genuine human being.

Report this post »

Mrs Smith, oxford says...
12:28pm Sun 6 Jul 08

I VOTE for MR KHAN, he was an extraordinary man who devoted his life to the community and to the welfare of people in oxford. It would be very disappointing if he does not get into the top 3 because he was a wonderful man. He deserves to be remembered!!!!

Report this post »

Miss Sandhu, swindon says...
12:30pm Sun 6 Jul 08

MR KHAN GETS MY VOTE HANDS DOWN, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

Report this post »

imran, oxford says...
12:36pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Sher Afzal Khan was an idol of a man and helped so many people voluntarily. he didnt have to but because he was such a big hearted person he did so and made a big difference in so many people's lives and shud have this road name in his rememberance

Report this post »

rizwan, oxford says...
12:39pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Mr khan gets my vote, he was a remarkable man with a natural caring side to him and he used this to help the community in oxford
quote
quote

Report this post »

charlie, oxford says...
12:43pm Sun 6 Jul 08

i know as facts stand that mr khan is much deserving of this honourable rembrance. He was a very kind, considerate man who did alot for the community

Report this post »

Sameera Pathan, Rose Hill says...
1:14pm Sun 6 Jul 08

I vote for Mr Khan because he has done a lot not only for the Rose Hill community but for the whole of the oxford. He deserves to have the road named after him.

Report this post »

Aftab Hussain, Cowley says...
1:53pm Sun 6 Jul 08

He was great community worker

Report this post »

nadeem iqbal, blackburn says...
2:23pm Sun 6 Jul 08

been a very good social worker and deserve for this title

Report this post »

aman, oxford says...
2:34pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Mr khan gets my vote, he was a great man

Report this post »

baz, oxford says...
2:36pm Sun 6 Jul 08

I have always had alot of respect for mr Khan, he gets my vote and all my families votes

Report this post »

amar, oxford says...
2:41pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Well i believe that SHER AFZAL KHAN was a considerate, helpful man that did alot for the community and we miss him to this day

Report this post »

William, says...
2:58pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Sounds like Mr Khan is the clear winner!

Report this post »

vick, london says...
2:59pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Good opportunity to show a colourful Oxford.

Report this post »

Naeem, oxford says...
3:07pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Mr. Khan had contributed a lot in the welfare of community. He was very helpful and considerate .

Report this post »

tamoor, oxford says...
3:58pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Mr. afzal khan was a very helpful. my vote is for him.

Report this post »

amita patel, ilford, london says...
4:10pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Mr Khan gets my vote he was such caring and loving man towards everyone no matter what they were muslim, hindu, christian etc... i really think he deserves a road named after him no matter what... when i speak to his daughter on the phone i always think of him his image comes in my mind everytime... i still come to oxford to visit my parents and everytime i always remember him he deserves this honour...

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
4:32pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Too reminiscent of Ghengis Khan or Wrath of Khan methinks.

Report this post »

Terry Chandler, says...
5:20pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Who would want a road named after them in that plonkhole,

Report this post »

Terry Chandler, says...
7:03pm Sun 6 Jul 08

amita patel wrote:
Mr Khan gets my vote he was such caring and loving man towards everyone no matter what they were muslim, hindu, christian etc... i really think he deserves a road named after him no matter what... when i speak to his daughter on the phone i always think of him his image comes in my mind everytime... i still come to oxford to visit my parents and everytime i always remember him he deserves this honour...
Not jews then?

Report this post »

Bertrand Winsor, says...
7:28pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Terry Chandler clearly doesn't know what "etc." means. Use a dictionary Terry. ~~~KHAN GETS MY VOTE!~~~

Report this post »

khalid yousaf, oxford says...
7:45pm Sun 6 Jul 08

He was dedicated entirly to the service of the community and to promting communal harmony and cohesion of various segments of our population. Infact the road itself will be hounred by being named after such selflessly dedicated person.

Report this post »

Rashida Khalid, oxford says...
7:55pm Sun 6 Jul 08

He was extermely helpful even to the strangers, we came to this Country and my husbad was sick, he lodged us in his home free of cost for more than six month with being either related or belonging to the same area in subcontinent, God bless him.

Report this post »

khalid yousaf, Oxofrd says...
8:11pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Sher Afzal Khan deserve to get my vote.

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
8:20pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Khan's Green,like Golders Green but different?




Report this post »

ansar, blackburn says...
9:09pm Sun 6 Jul 08

he was great humanbeing, very helpful, very co-operative in the community. a great man who will never forgoton for his services

Report this post »

Nag Dealer, Poole says...
9:49pm Sun 6 Jul 08

This vote seemsto have been taken over by the Asian community. Don't they know that one road name was already a certainty for them?

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
10:03pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Usually the dead Mayors,sometimes their relatives too,get a plaque on a seat.

Not sure who pays for it initially.

Let 'em rest in peace.

Report this post »

Asam, says...
10:24pm Sun 6 Jul 08

A great man who did a remarkable job for the community. He certainly deserves it

Report this post »

Brendon McMurray, says...
10:33pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Nag Dealer wrote:
This vote seemsto have been taken over by the Asian community.

If lots of traditional English names were writing comments on this page, would you make a comment that "this vote seems to have been take over by the White community"? I highly doubt it. Keep your racist remarks to yourself please, Nad Dealer.

Report this post »

Sara, Oxford says...
11:16pm Sun 6 Jul 08

The whole point of this survey is that all have a chance to express thier views and vote. Clearly Mr Khan is a true winner, I know that, so some people need to accept this and not make offensive remarks

Report this post »

raje, swindon says...
11:54pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Race shouldnt even come into this, it is just how the community feel about these people and what they have done for them! Wish people would stop being so shallow, then the world would be a better place for us all to live in. Mr Khan gets my vote not because im asian but because he changed so many poeple's lives. These people were from the oxford community. He should be remembered and honoured as a remarkable man!

By posting a comment, I confirm

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
12:05am Mon 7 Jul 08

Khan of worms?

Two new street signs,one Khan and the other Kant.

Report this post »

fnz_khan, oxford says...
2:23am Mon 7 Jul 08

I dont know why the muslims bother. Being second class citizen and getting search with dogs at the airport and people making racist remark like mr Ison just did. why bother let them name it after whoever they want to what difference does it make????

Report this post »

David, wantage says...
8:49am Mon 7 Jul 08

Rashida Khalid wrote:
He was extermely helpful even to the strangers, we came to this Country and my husbad was sick, he lodged us in his home free of cost for more than six month with being either related or belonging to the same area in subcontinent, God bless him.
So what? Alan Page would have done that.

Report this post »

Miss Sandhu, oxford says...
10:31am Mon 7 Jul 08

David from wantage dont need to get nasty. He would have done that but did he? If so get people on here. Worms? thats just so racist, i will tell you one thing! Indians, pakistani's and bangladeshi's are here because of one reason and one reason only and that is the British empire that stole all are money and jewels. They left us with nothing in our country and thats why we are here not using people who live in this countries money but using are own money that the British stole. We have as much of a right to live here as you do, SHAME!

Report this post »

Adil, Oxford says...
11:14am Mon 7 Jul 08

We all should be thankful to Oxford Mail, for giving everyone an oppurtunity to express our opinions in this survey but, unfortunately some of the comments appearing on here, are unacceptable and upsetting. People should, use their right of opinion in a civilised manner.Those who are offended should avoid these racist remarks being made and just base it on whats being concerned.

Report this post »

David, wantage says...
11:47am Mon 7 Jul 08

Miss Sandhu wrote:
David from wantage dont need to get nasty. He would have done that but did he? If so get people on here. Worms? thats just so racist, i will tell you one thing! Indians, pakistani's and bangladeshi's are here because of one reason and one reason only and that is the British empire that stole all are money and jewels. They left us with nothing in our country and thats why we are here not using people who live in this countries money but using are own money that the British stole. We have as much of a right to live here as you do, SHAME!
What is nasty about saying Alan Page would have done that?

I'm afraid you are a prime example of someone with a chip on their shoulder.

Don't seek to be offended or clutch at straws to make out you have been. No one is saying you have no right to live here, so why not relax and get on with it. Which other country in the world would allow people with such vitriolic views as yours to settle there?

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
12:14pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Should have put signs up at the ports after the Huguenots,no room at the Inn.

Report this post »

matt Braken, Ohio says...
12:47pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Wow i am taken aback by some of the comments on this web site, you have some real nasty lot over there. Always thought of Oxford as a nice place.

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
12:53pm Mon 7 Jul 08

People are the same wherever you go.

If those Indians had been a bit more proactive Ohio would still belong with the Nations.

Report this post »

Tabassum Murtza, Oxford says...
3:08pm Mon 7 Jul 08

My family and I would like to thank everyone who has voted for my father Mr Sher Afzal Khan particularly Mr Khalid Yousaf and the councillors who have campaigned hard to get to this stage. Lets hope the committee make a decision in our favour this time. Yes he was proud to be a Pakistani and proud to be a Muslim but first and foremost he was a humanbeing who respected and treated his fellow human beings as equals. Its interesting to read some of the comments; but as my father would say -you've got to be the bigger person and rise above.
My father was very passionate about the work he did, totally voluntary and 100% devoted in helping others in whatever way he could.He always had a positive outlook in life and brought out the best in people., sometimes his wise words and sound advise was enough to make a difference to those going through a difficult time.People who knew him will know he did far more than give out advise and therefore he should be remembered for all the good work he did for not just the asians in the community.

Report this post »

anon, england says...
4:10pm Mon 7 Jul 08

its funny how the mere chance of an asian name becoming a road name can spark such heated venting of feelings.i'm not sure whats more troubling, the fact that certain people find it hard to accept an asian road name or, the fact that 1st and 2nd generations asians have given so much of their lives to this country and the people in it regardless of their colour, creed, background, ethnicity etc that it seems that the very people that have been helped are the most ungrateful and spiteful. it is truly a shame the society we live in today is what we have become, even though it is the minority that spoils things for the rest of us.

Report this post »

amita patel, ilford, ilford, london says...
9:11pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Terry Chandler wrote:
amita patel wrote: Mr Khan gets my vote he was such caring and loving man towards everyone no matter what they were muslim, hindu, christian etc... i really think he deserves a road named after him no matter what... when i speak to his daughter on the phone i always think of him his image comes in my mind everytime... i still come to oxford to visit my parents and everytime i always remember him he deserves this honour...
Not jews then?
i did say no matter what they were if you read it again...

Report this post »

rose, rosehill says...
9:16pm Mon 7 Jul 08

l do think all these names put forward are too long, perhaps they could shorten them or why not choose something different why do we have to have a road named after someone if it is causing all this commotion

Report this post »

amita patel, ilford, ilford, london says...
9:21pm Mon 7 Jul 08

i think people should just not bother leaving any comments if they got nothing better to say.... why do people take things so personal.....

Report this post »

Mr Ison, England says...
9:38pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Dick Turpin is always a good one for want of anything better.

Could be multiculturalised into Dick Turban,doubletakes from motorists so only for pedestrianised locations.

Report this post »

sriya patel, ilford, london says...
9:52pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Mr Khan gets my vote, although i have never met him, i have heard alot about him through my aunty amita patel (amin before she was married)... my aunty talks alot about him and his daughter just wished that i met him... but he still gets my vote.....