• BY rights I should have been sifting through the hefty handbook to decide which Oxford Literary Festival events I might grace or pollute, depending on my shallow depth of knowledge or narrow breadth of interest.

Instead, I wandered into St Mary the Virgin Church in High Street expecting nothing more than a few moments of peace and reflection.

But it was not to be. Waiting were more than 30 young musicians, boys and girls aged between 14 and 18, from the Three Rivers Chamber Orchestra in Missouri. Two enthusiastic teachers, James Nacy and his female counterpart Paddy Fleer were warming up to conduct an hour-long concert. Peace and reflection could wait.

It was magnificent – and it was free. I was determined not to move until the last note was played. I also saw a novel use for the choir area of this ancient and stately church; it became a temporary changing room, with girls occupying the north side pews and boys the south, both watched over by parent chaperones, Karen and Chris. What would the ill-fated Archbishop Cranmer have said about these arrangements?

The orchestra was in England for a week and Oxford was one of only three places where they had chosen to play. That was our good luck.

  • THEY describe their building as “dilapidated and atmospheric” with work to change it being only at the “pumpkin stage”. But the Story Museum in Pembroke Street throbs with excitement and inspiration, where fact and fiction combine in the cause of storytelling, an art form that in turn develops language, learning and confidence. Dilapidated maybe, but there’s no doubt it is atmospheric with success virtually assured.

I have often pressed my face against one of the windows, hoping to be invited into its magic, but in vain – until this week.

It was not a red-carpeted, full-scale guided tour; I got no further than the lobby but was met by the delightful marketing manager, Alex Coke. Now I live in hope of an invitation.

Meanwhile, I’ll be satisfied looking though the windows, in particular the tiny one where at present a pea rests on a red velvet cushion. Below, is an explanation engraved on a metal plate. It claims the pea was the actual vegetable used for the legendary princess selection test. It had been discovered two years ago hidden in the lower regions of the late Queen Mother’s handbag.

Truth or fiction? Who cares – it’s a delightful story.

  • QUESTION: A red truck bearing the name Wells Cathedral Stonemasons was being driven by a craftsman called Peter along the Broad Walk and through the ornate and crested gate of Christ Church.

Why are West Country skills needed to sort Oxford’s masonry problems? Discuss.