ROBIN’S questioning had something of the ‘third degree’ about it – a new point following another with machine-gun speed.

“You mean we can park here – for nowt?”

I replied in the affirmative.

“All day?”

Yes.

“And we won’t get a ticket if we’re back fairly late?

He wouldn’t.

Was it the same in the city centre?

I stifled a laugh. He was a fellow Yorkshireman and when it comes to things financial, we like to have matters straight in our minds.

Robin and his wife Jean, both in their early 70s, were on their first visit to Oxford from their home in Skipton. They had, through necessity, been home-birds but had recently sold their small shop and were now able to ‘get about a bit more’.

They had found the Pear Tree park-and-ride and by chance I drew up alongside. Once the legality of parking was established I pointed to the waiting bus. Here they would have to pay.

On board more questions, but of a different nature; things to do and see. I asked how long they planned to stay.

“Just today. We’re heading for Norwich,” said Jean. What else was of interest?

Here Unsworth the unofficial guide sprung into action and soon they had a list that would reach half way to their North Yorkshire home. I even threw in suggestions for morning coffee and lunch. Their reaction was vastly different to that recently of two Scandinavian women who wanted only to see St Catherine’s College.

We parted at Carfax. The chances of meeting again were slim, but it happened. They were leaving the vaults restaurant at St Mary’s Church. They had decided to stay at least one more day, because they had barely scratched the surface of the list.

“There’s no firm booking in Norwich, so the time’s our own,” said Robin. “What we’ll do is forget about looking around Cambridge.”

I applauded their decision – as you might expect.

IF only my powers of persuasion could spread to the Town Hall. I would urge the city fathers and mothers to think hard before making changes to the Shopmobility scheme, which is a real success story. But saving money is now a national and local obsession.

Making it part of the car parking family and asking those involved to apply for their own jobs is hardly good industrial relations. Those who operate Shopmobility are true carers. While it is important to watch the pennies, as a non-statutory service it was always expected to be a cost on council tax.

Yet it has enhanced the city’s reputation and actually made money through the team running the Witney scheme for West Oxfordshire at a cost of £152,000 a year.

But what do I know? I have only the word of satisfied, disadvantaged people on which to base my thoughts.