THINK of Cropredy and you think music and Fairport Convention. Now it has added the Last Night of the Proms to its CV.

No, thousands did not invade, but the patriotically decorated village hall bulged at the seams when the Short Mat Bowls Club members organised an up-market supper, encouraged mass flag waving and singing, set up a large screen and joined in via TV the BBC’s annual celebration.

When a friend invited me along I had doubts. But not for long – it was a splendid evening. I hope I’m invited next year!

Mind you, I did find it incongruous to hear the ever-so-British anthem, Rule Britannia, sung by the handsome young German tenor Jonas Kaufmann (ladies were well-impressed!) and conducted by the American, Marin Alsop, first woman to conduct the event, making a return to the podium for the season.

I mean to say, there are limits...

Comment from Proms founder Sir Henry Wood was understandably unavailable.

MY only criticism of the Oxford Preservation Trust Open Doors weekend was that it didn’t go on long enough. So much on offer. So much to see.

Visitors, many posing and taking selfies in place usually hidden from lesser mortals’ eyes, were enjoying all that was on offer, while the regular corps of guides were on high alert, facts and figures honed to perfection.

Not that everybody knew what they were letting themselves in for.

“Excuse me, but where is the University?” asked the male half of a middle-aged couple from New Zealand when we met at Carfax.

“You’re here,” I replied, gesticulating broadly while trying to explain the unique ‘town and gown’ character of the city, and highlighting places on my ‘must see’ list.

“Will it take long?” said his wife. “We only have an hour before heading to Bath.”

At least it wasn’t to the C word!

I was fortunate to meet the trust’s PR, Gabriella Putnan, as she made her way from the Broad Street hub of action to the headquarters in Turn Again Lane – three modest houses rescued from the shameful destruction of St Ebbe’s more than 40 years ago.

This was a first for me. Its garden, nestling below the old city wall, might not be the biggest or the most beautiful but it has a unique atmosphere.

She told me there was every hope numbers attending would top those of previous Festival of Oxford weekends.

Well done!

FINALLY, hungry and leg weary, I headed for the Covered Market – open on Sunday for the occasion. Time for a modest but filling meal.

The pie, peas and mash were, as ever, magnificent. Long may the Market remain.

Are you listening city council?