presenting our new committee

Posted on 5 Mar 2026 by michael

The Association was on the verge of closing, but there was a strong feeling at the well attended Oxford Leon Association AGM on 23 February that something of value would be lost, both for Oxford and León, if the Association ceased operating, and fortunately volunteers came forward! The Leon Association supports the twin between Oxford and León in the Central American republic of Nicaragua.

“I am thrilled that the Leon Association, the first Oxford link with a city in the Global South, will continue”, says outgoing chair and former Oxford Lord Mayor, John Tanner. The Association raises funds to support clean water projects in remote communities and education projects in poor areas of León and cultural exchanges.

The new officers are: Patrick Gray OBE (chair, shown below, left), Cllr Mike Rowley (secretary, right) and Jenny Houston (treasurer). Patrick Gray was a long-time director of the Midlands Co-operative Society and is a former City councillor. Mike Rowley is Oxford’s Deputy Lord Mayor and visited Leon in 2013.

Christian Bonilla (Vice-Chair), Deirdre d’Arcy (membership) and Michael Gross (publicity) stay in their previous roles.

Oxford’s twin with far-away Leon was set up nearly 40 years ago to support health, education and the relief of poverty in Leon. Members have visited to see how projects we support are managing and we have also brought over teachers and musicians from León and visit schools to talk about life in León. We welcome new members to keep the link going! Long may the link continue!

we have a new committee!

Posted on 2 Mar 2026 by michael

After worrying that we may be short of people and ideas to continue running the association, we had a very well-attended and constructive AGM and managed to elect a new chair, secretary and treasurer.

The new officers are: Patrick Gray OBE (Chair), Cllr Mike Rowley (Secretary) and Jenny Houston (Treasurer). Patrick Gray was a long-time director of the Midlands Co-operative Society and is a former City councillor. Mike Rowley is Oxford’s Deputy Lord Mayor and visited Leon in 2013.

Christian Bonilla (Vice-Chair), Deirdre d’Arcy (membership) and Michael Gross (publicity) stay in their previous roles.

The Oxford Clarion reports:

Oxford’s twin town arrangement with Leon, Nicaragua, will continue after the Leon Association was revived at a Town Hall meeting. The cities were twinned 40 years ago to show support for the Sandinista government, but dwindling volunteer involvement had raised fears for its continuation. “I am thrilled that the first Oxford link with a city in the Global South will continue,” said outgoing chair and former Lord Mayor John Tanner. “Politics has turned sour in Nicaragua and it is impossible to have official links. But the association still supports clean water and education projects.” This week’s City Council budget allocated an extra £20,000 to support volunteers in town twinning groups, with amendments which proposed to spend the money on other Oxford community projects defeated.

The news was also reported in the Oxford Mail.

meeting tomorrow

Posted on 24 Feb 2025 by michael

we have been a bit quiet since the misa campesina, as we had no major event to shout about, but we’re still meeting every once in a while to discuss meaningful things to do to help the people of Leon in Nicaragua. The next meeting will actually be tomorrow, Tue 25th, at the town hall, starting 7pm.

Oh, and it also happens to be the AGM. So do come numerously.

twins concert coming up on Saturday

Posted on 12 Jul 2024 by michael

The concert featuring young musicians from Oxford’s twinning links is coming up on Saturday, 7pm at the town hall, tickets here. José (violin) and César (cello) are representing our link with Nicaragua.

The young musicians have rehearsed all week and it already sounded amazing when I listened in. Here are some snaps from Monday’s rehearsal:

how to get news from Nicaragua

Posted on 5 Apr 2024 by michael

We discussed at the last meeting that it is increasingly difficult to follow and understand what’s really going on politically in Nicaragua, so I’m now going to list some sources here that may help. I’m linking directly to the search page for “nicaragua”:

Colombian newspaper El Tiempo (Spanish)

Latin American Post (each article available in English and in Spanish)

well, that’s all I have so far, suggestions welcome!

meeting tomorrow

Posted on 18 Mar 2024 by michael

meeting at the Town Hall (and on zoom) on Tue 19.3. at 7pm. Lots of exciting plans for this year to discuss including the visit of two young musicians from Nicaragua who are due to perform with others from the other twin cities in a concert this summer.

OLAT meeting 19.9.2023

Posted on 18 Sep 2023 by michael

A friendly reminder that the next meeting of OLAT is on Tuesday 19 September 2023, 7 pm at Oxford Town Hall and also on Zoom.

Please note that we have updated the Agenda. The last item on the Agenda is “Where do we go from here? What should be the future for the Leon Association?” We hope to have a full discussion on this, so it is important that as many people as possible attend, either in person or on Zoom.

We will also be looking at how the Sponsored Swim went on Friday 13 July – despite awful weather! And our future plans for OLAT.

Do join us either in person at the Town Hall or via Zoom, it will be good to see you!.

Thank you for your continued support.

misa campesina rehearsals confirmed

Posted on 7 May 2023 by michael

All singers and musicians are invited to join in this year’s Misa Campesina on Sunday 4.6. at 11:15 am . We are now able to confirm the rehearsal times.

Two rehearsals will take place at the Quaker Meeting House in St. Giles:

Saturday 27.5.

Saturday 3.6.

each from 10 am till noon.

mulled wine and international links

Posted on 17 Nov 2022 by michael

During the seasonal lights festival on Friday 18.11. there will be a mulled wine stall on Bonn Square where you can meet people from all the international links including the Oxford Leon Association. We’ll be there from 4:30 to 9 am.

I’m afraid we’re not listed on the official page of the lights festival, but I’m putting the link to facilitate planning the evening …

OLAT meeting on Tuesday 6.9.

Posted on 5 Sep 2022 by michael

The next meeting of the Oxford León Association is on Tuesday 6 September at 7.00 at Oxford Town Hall. You will also be able to join us online via Zoom, email Jen for details.

There is a lot going on with Twinning in the autumn. There is an opportunity for all the links to tell Oxford all about Twinning at an event at the Sheldonian Theatre on Saturday 1 October, 10 am to 4 pm. We need OLAT to be represented.
Then on Wednesday 5 October there is Oxford’s UN Older People’s Day at the Town Hall, with a stall from OLAT.
OCC are also asking for people to contribute to a video about the impact that Twinning has had on their lives: “We are looking for people that have taken part in a visit to Oxford, or one Oxford’s twin cities and the impact it has had on their lives – has it changed their career choices, has it opened up further opportunities, have they learned a new language or skill or made new friends?” Please contact me if you would like to take part – it would be good to hear from people whose experience goes back to the old days of OLAT!

We were very pleased to be back with the Sponsored Swim on 15 July – some money is still coming in, we will let you know how much was donated soon. We are hoping to hold the Misa Campesina in October/November at Blackfriars.

Thank you for your continued support over these continuing difficult times.