THE BELOVED Oxford author Philip Pullman has reflected on his love of Oxford and in particular, one boatyard.

Yesterday, Pullman spoke at St Barnabas Church in Jericho, before heading into a conversation with John Mair, the presenter and founder of My Jericho, about Lara’s Oxford.

After his introduction, however, the author gave a short speech, reflecting on his life in Oxford – from the time he was a student to the present.

In particular, he spoke about his love of Jericho and the boatyard – that may be redeveloped in the future, if plans are approved.

Speaking to the packed Church, he reflected on how his beloved city had changed over the years.

Pullman said: “As the books were published in the first trilogy, little by little, things changed in Oxford and in Jericho.

“There were threats to the life-long canal, there were developments – that awful word 'developments', it could have quite a promising sound to it, but somehow it has become a word we dread, developers, developments – seems to be threatening the boatyard canal and the way of life for people lived near the canal, even the ease which you can go up and down the canal.

“So, I became involved in it, and I got to know them, visit the boatyard and see what sorts of things were done, and I realised what a rich network of activities and lives there were between the water and the land, between the boats and the houses, between the people who stayed in one place and the people who moved about.”

This week developers, called Cornerstone Land, met with local people in Jericho for a Q&A about their plans for the area.

The plans have been criticised by the Jericho Wharf Trust, who although believe a resolution can be found through more discussion, at present have concerns about the boatyard becoming prone to flooding, there being a lack of affordable homes and there is no bridge.

Mr Pullman said he hopes that the developers will be able to keep the essence of canal life in Jericho.

He continued: “When the developers must come, and when they have come and improved it as we hope they will, I look forward to seeing the Jericho of the future.

“And I hope that this connection between the houses and the boats, the lands and the water, will be enriched and still be there, and still be making people’s lives, both on the water and on the land, more interesting, more fun and more creative too.

“At one point there was a vision we offered a sort of piazza with little boat shops for people involved in making boats or making other things, jewellery, paintings, that sort of thing, I loved that idea.”