A family home in Walton Manor, Oxford, which witnessed the creation of one of the UK’s leading fair trade organisations, is on the market at £985,000.

Owner Ian Davis moved to the semi-detached property in 1972 with his late wife, Judy, a special needs teacher, and their three children, to take up a lecturing appointment at Oxford Polytechnic — now Oxford Brookes University — where he helped launch the first degree course in architecture.

He went on to help establish Traidcraft, a UK-based fair trade association.

Number 97 Kingston Road was built in 1889 by St John’s College for staff, clergymen and tradespeople.

Over the years, the couple extended the kitchen and added a triple-glazed conservatory, laundry and shower room, along with an en-suite shower room/dressing room on the first floor.

They also restored many internal fittings, removing up to 11 layers of paint from the solid pine doors, window frames and the six ornate Victorian and Art Nouveau fireplaces.

Mr Davis, who advises the Government and UN on adapting to climate change and reducing disaster risks, recently remarried and lives with his new wife, Gill, at her home in Headington.

He said: “The house in Kingston Road has been a very happy home for nearly 40 years. It is full of memories and it is a huge wrench to say goodbye.

He added: “We have held numerous meetings in the front room, including the inaugural meeting in 1979 of Traidcraft.

“I was a trustee for four years and we used to joke that one day we would be selling our goods in Sainsbury’s and that has come true.”

The ground-floor accommodation includes a bay-windowed sitting room and family/dining room.

On the first floor the master bedroom, which has an en-suite, and the second bedroom both have garden views.

The second floor has a further two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Ronnie van der Ploeg, of selling agents Savills, said: “As soon as you walk through the front door the property feels like a solid, secure family home “It is ideally placed for schools and the city centre.”

To arrange a viewing, call Savills on 01865 339700.