May 2012


Since the days of Europe’s first universities, higher education has tended to be elitist and exclusive. While there were always exceptions provided to the remarkably bright and talented, by and large universities educated the children of the wealthy.

Every Thursday, near the centre of Oxford, sees the Gloucester Green ‘Antique and Craft Market’. Two immediate caveats: Gloucester Green is now a car park rather than the picturesque grass field you might imagine (though there is the odd tree, as you can see); and it’s more of a flea market than its grand title [...]