“GOOD morning!” roared the large man with the frantic grey hair, florid face, staring blue eyes – and loud striped jacket, red shirt and yellow trousers, as we came face to face on Magdalen Bridge.

Had he carried a camera he could have been a seaside photographer from an earlier age.

“And good morning to you too, sir,” I replied warmly.

That might have been the end of the story had he not grabbed my arm just as the clock on Magdalen Tower was starting to strike noon.

“Do you realise we have exchanged pleasantries in the final seconds of the morning of August 31 2010, a date and time never to return,” he boomed in cultured tones. “We have produced our own piece of history. Next year on August 31 and at this same hour we will remember our encounter. Indeed every August 31 will stir the memory until our dying days. What’s your name?”

“Peter,” I said, trying to follow his thinking.

“Well, Peter, I’m Stefan – not to be confused with Strephon, the chap in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe – and may I be the first to wish you good afternoon?”

With that he turned and headed for the city centre.

Only in Oxford...

WHEN it comes to competition, Cowley Road folk lead the way. Traders and shopkeepers keep a close eye on rivals.

Now it appears rivalry has extended to the world of dispensing chemists.

More than a year ago, Jenner’s the Pharmacists left their long-time address, moving to the new East Oxford Health Centre in Manzil Way.

Three weeks ago, The Leys Pharmacy, armed with pills and potions, opened premises only yards from Jenner’s former store and directly facing the new, announcing lengthy opening hours from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 8pm on Sundays.

This week I see large letters in red have appeared on Jenner’s window stating they will ‘now open late and on Sundays’.

The two can’t compete with prescription charges, but clearly there’s a credibility battle; a scrap that gives local people a pharmacy service that’s surely the envy of thousands.

FOR the past 30 years and eight months, Lois was – for some people – the most unpopular woman in Banbury. Not any more.

This diminutive, no-nonsense traffic warden, has handed in her unused penalty tickets, and officially ended her marathon tour of duty today.

We met in the lift of the multi-storey car park as she went from floor to floor trying to find a payment machine that was working. Why the lift? The years of pounding streets have taken their toll on her feet.

Lois always managed a smile, although she was no soft touch, as awkward or patronising offenders discovered. I hear she isn’t being replaced, so as is often the case, will a ‘reign of terror’ be replaced by an era of chaos?