A WOMAN known as ‘Mrs Cowley’ thanks to her decades of devotion to the Oxford district has written a new book exploring the area’s history.

Rosanne Butler has lived in Cowley for almost 60 years, settling in the city after her husband Frank got a job at the Mini plant.

She said: "I think my outsider's view, even if it is decades since I moved here, really helps me appreciate how unique Cowley and its residents are.

"It's more than just making cars and really has a village feel, you always bump into someone you know."

The 82-year-old, whose book is called 'An affectionate look at Cowley through the ages', said the initial idea for the project came from her work.

The former arts and English teacher inspired generations of children at St James’ Primary School in Cowley and Donnington Middle School.

She said: "When I was at Donnington it was part of the curriculum to teach the children about local history.

"Rather than look at Oxford as a whole I researched Cowley, where I and many of my students lived, and found it was full of fascinating stories."

Since her retirement she has been pursuing her passion for history, and Cowley in particular, by continuing to explore the area's colourful past.

She said: "One of my favourite stories is the creation of Cowley Road in the middle ages. Residents needed to bring goods to market but had no way to get there as the Cowley marsh was so dangerous.

"In the end they built one themselves, packing the ground with stones from Headington quarries until it was stable."

She added: "It was so enterprising and I think that is something that is still a part of Cowley today."

The book originally began as a series of articles in the Parish of Cowley monthly magazine ‘Cowley Chronicle’ and was then given as informal talks.

Mrs Butler said: "When I retired 24 years ago I offered to take over editing the magazine and in the space of about 10 years I wrote around 30 articles.

"People really seemed to enjoy them and they kept asking me to combine them in a book as they wanted to have something permanent rather than the magazine, which gets thrown away."

She admitted: "I don't think I would have done this otherwise. It took about nine months to come together and was quite a bit of work, though I am pleased with the final product which has quite a chatty tone."

Mrs Butler said the book was a testament to her fondness for Cowley, which was also recognised two years ago when she was one of nine community champions hailed as ‘Cowley Heroes’ as part a competition by city councillor David Henwood.

It was he who gave Mrs Butler the nickname ‘Mrs Cowley’, due to her wide range of roles in community events.

Mrs Butler launched her book last night at an event at the St James Centre, copies are available at church as well as Oxfordshire History Centre. Alternatively contact Mrs Butler directly on 01865 453 257.