Oxonmoot 1997

This fine figure is your Webmaster, previously also known as 'The Tech Crew'. We have now taken pity on him and given him a real Crew, so he's now the Webmaster and the Crewmaster! A freelance Electronics Wizard he has long observed that the working fluid of electronic equipment is smoke, i.e., when the smoke is allowed to escape the electronics no longer work. His magical hat incorporates flashing LED's and a chimney to channel the escaping consequences of his fiddling to safety, well clear of his eyes. The efficacy of this is seen by the fact that he is accompanied at all times by Hibernia the Balrog.

The Quad of Exeter College, our venue for three Oxonmoots. There is a strict rule against stepping on the pristine turf, so one finds that walking anywhere involves going round the long way, frustrating when it's to a reunion with friends from last year. Friday night of Oxonmoot involves a lot of that, meeting up with people from around the world and renewing friendships. For First Timers it all probably looks rather intimidating, but most come back the following year and find themselves part of the annual ritual.

A bust of the Professor by Faith Tolkien can be seen in the window of the English Faculty Library, where it is placed for Oxonmoot each year (if the Subcommittee remember to ask!).

One of the famous sights of Oxford, and a guide to the route to The Turf, the Pub where the very first Oxonmoots were held in the early seventies. The directions generally read "go down the lane, and when you think you are trespassing, you've arrived." Some traditionalists make a point of spending time there on Friday afternoon, to have lunch and chat to whoever turns up, and as a rest from touring the book shops. Photographs from past years are usually displayed at the Art Show, and are a fascinating glimpse of how Oxonmoot used to be, as well as a record of just how young some people looked 'back then'