The Directory
The following list is compiled from Islanders’ recommendations only. No one pays for an entry and suppliers are removed if there are reports of unreasonable rates or service so always check the latest list.
Tried & Tested
| Garden design | ||
| Olivia’s Gardens | a fully qualified horticulturalist, now focusing exclusively on garden design | tel 07866 476 044 |
| Removals and storage | ||
| Isis Removals | Fast and Professional Removals & Storage ("nice people to deal with") | Free phone 0800 047 47 82 (01865 37 78 01) or 07967 818135 |
| Washing machine repairs | ||
| RG Domestic | Repairs all makes and has timed appointments including after 6pm | tel 01865 718299 m 0771 113 2961tel 01865 718299 m 0771 113 2961 |
| Chris Griffin of CE Electrical Services | (‘I can thoroughly recommend him’) | tel: 01865 842598 or m. 0778 23 60 979 |
| General builder | ||
| Chris Willis | does general building work/carpentry, for example (re)hanging doors, laying patios, decking, associated painting/decorating, as well as kitchen/bathroom fitting (‘the work was carried out efficiently and to a very high standard’) | mob: 07974 155 638 |
| Building and roof repairs | ||
| Keith Webster | (‘strongly recommended’); | 01865 374585 |
| PJS Roofing Ltd | (‘member of the Confederation of Roofing Contractors and provides a reliable and professional service’) | tel 01235 559803 m 07702 946255; |
| Electricians | ||
| Lee Chapman | a green electrician (‘really fantastic’) | m 07825 133337 |
| DEC electricians | 'very good' | 725453 |
| Baldwin Domestic Appliances | 'they can fix anything' | 01865 377484 |
| Plumbing and heating | ||
| Ivan Kilbee | (‘I have used Ivan for several years for servicing my boiler and general plumbing work. I'd give him a beta plus. His work is good and he comes on time, but he's not always easy to reach even on his mobile’ | tel: 01235 847527 mob 07050 133783 |
| John Abbey | plumbing, heating and gas services (‘a great plumber!’). | tel 01865 882810 mob 07802 399694 |
| Handyman | ||
| Jon Butt | ‘a friend recommended him. He lives in Witney but very willing to travel to Oxford’ | tel 07766 144116 |
| David Morris | (reasonably priced; highly recommended) | tel 725875 |
| Chimney sweep | ||
| Dennis Northcott | (‘does a good job’) | tel 01235 526617 |
| Window cleaning | ||
| Paul Smith | (‘like many others I use Paul's window cleaning service. He is amiable and reliable.’) | mob 07979 692895 |
| Interior and exterior decoration | ||
| Paul Simmons |
About Osney Island
Osney Island is one of Oxford’s best-kept secrets. Located to the west of the city only minutes from the railway station and just off the busy Botley Road, it’s a small ‘village’ of some 300 households surrounded on all sides by the Thames and the Osney Stream.
Walk over the footbridge and drop down to the Island you are immediately in another world with boats, wildlife and the tranquillity of the river. It really is an island in the centre of Oxford.
Shaped like an old-fashioned belt buckle, streets named after the points of the compass provide its frame with Bridge St the prong in the middle. Most of the houses are small terraced homes – but you’d be amazed how inventive people have been in making the most of small spaces.
The population of Osney Island is an eclectic mix of people. Some have been born and bred here, others are commuters, academics, artists. We all enjoy the very special community spirit.