Olive Gibbs: A Remarkable Woman

A new documentary about the inspirational life and times of Olive Gibbs, twice Lord Mayor of Oxford and the first woman chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

In the late 1960s, Olive successfully led a campaign to prevent most of Jericho from being demolished as slum clearance, having witnessed the destruction of her own beloved parish of St Thomas’s and neighbouring St Ebbe’s a decade or so earlier.

Among many other campaigns, Olive opposed the construction of an inner ring road through Christ Church Meadow. With her husband Edmund, she helped bring down the infamous Cutteslowe Walls, built in the 1930s to separate an estate of private houses from council tenants. As a founding member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, she took part in numerous peace marches in the 1960s and 1970s.

Passionate about education for all, Olive became chair of Oxford College of Further Education and a governor of Oxford Polytechnic. She was made an Honorary Freeman of Oxford for her outstanding service to the city.

Featuring interviews with family members, former colleagues, historians and local residents, this film tells the story of a brave and exceptional character, remembered for her outspoken passion, lively sense of humour and spirited dedication to improving the lives of ordinary people.

The film comes to Jericho after two sold-out screenings at Oxford's Ultimate Picture Palace cinema.

The screening will be introduced by the filmmakers and followed by a Q&A with historian Liz Woolley.

Proceeds from this evening will go to St Barnabas Church.

Host or Publisher Bank Lane Films