BLACKBIRD Leys has been a key area of Oxford for many years – but how well do you know its history?

Here we look back at its history over the last 60 years.

Blackbird Leys original estate was first built in 1958.

Oxford Mail: Blackbird Leys estate 1963Blackbird Leys estate 1963

Blackbird Leys estate 1963

Its name originated from a nearby Blackbird Leys farm. 

The purpose of the estate was to provide housing for the nearby William Morris car factory, in Cowley.

In December 1962, the estate's first pub, The Blackbird, was opened.

The pub remains there to this day.

Oxford Mail: Blackbird Leys opens its first pub, 'The Blackbird', in 1962Blackbird Leys opens its first pub, 'The Blackbird', in 1962

Blackbird Leys opens its first pub in 1962

In 1965 The Church of the Holy Family opened. This church is currently under consideration for demolition. 

Oxford Mail: The Church of the Holy Family in 2020The Church of the Holy Family in 2020

The Church of the Holy Family in 2020

In March 1969, the Bullnose Morris pub opened for the first time.

Sadly the pub was forced to close in 2020 as it was a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic.

Oxford Mail: The Bullnose Morris pub closed in 2020The Bullnose Morris pub closed in 2020

The Bullnose Morris pub closed in 2020

In 1987 Labour MP Andrew Smith won the election for Oxford East - meaning the constituency was no longer Conservative. 

Oxford Mail: MP Andrew Smith chats to Blackbird Leys resident Mrs Amy Beet 1991MP Andrew Smith chats to Blackbird Leys resident Mrs Amy Beet 1991

MP Andrew Smith chats to Blackbird Leys resident Mrs Amy Beet 1991

In the 1990s Blackbird Leys neighbouring estate, the Greater Leys began.

In 1996 construction of the Kassam Stadium, Oxford United's Football Club, began. 

The first football match was played at the stadium in August 2001.

Oxford Mail: Kassam Stadium Kassam Stadium

The Kassam Stadium

In the EU referendum in 2016, it was recorded that the polling districts including Blackbird Leys and other areas of the southern edge of the city voted to leave the EU at 51 per cent. 

This was a stark contrast to the central areas of Oxford where 80 per cent of people voted to remain.

Oxford Mail: 2016 Annelise Dodds with then MP Andrew Smith - campaigning to vote to remain in European Union2016 Annelise Dodds with then MP Andrew Smith - campaigning to vote to remain in European Union

2016 Annelise Dodds with then MP Andrew Smith - campaigning to vote to remain in European Union

Mr Smith remained as MP for Oxford East until 2017 when Anneliese Dodds took over as Labour MP. 

Oxford Mail: Annelise Dodds wins seatAnnelise Dodds wins seat

Blackbird Leys is now undergoing plans for a regenerations scheme which will bring at least 250 homes to the estate.