Cutteslowe Walls Blue plaque

Who would build a wall in the middle of a city? Here at the Cutteslowe Walls Blue plaque, we unravel a tale of class division and social upheaval. The Cutteslowe Walls, a stark symbol of segregation, once stood just steps from where we gather. These weren’t just any walls. They were seven-foot-high barriers, complete with rotating iron spikes. Imagine the imposing presence they must have had. The Cutteslowe Walls were erected in 1934 by Clive Saxton’s Urban Housing Company. They separated a private housing estate from the new Cutteslowe council estate. Saxton, fearing his properties wouldn’t sell if located next to “slum dwellers,” chose this drastic measure. The walls caused a 600-meter detour for council residents to reach the Banbury Road. This sparked immediate outrage. The walls divided not only streets but also communities. The Cutteslowe Walls became a battleground for social class. In May 1935, communist activist Abe Lazarus rallied 2,000 people to tear down the walls. Police intervention halted the protest. The council itself attempted demolition in 1938. They were promptly sued by Saxton and forced to rebuild. Even a tank accidentally knocking down a section during World War II didn’t bring them down permanently. The walls became a national symbol of class struggle. They stood as a testament to the social tensions of a rapidly changing Oxford, transitioning from a university town to a motor manufacturing hub. Finally, in 1959, after years of struggle, the walls were demolished. The council purchased the land for £1,000. Councillor Edmund Gibbs, son of a long-time demolition advocate, struck the first blow. This blue plaque commemorates the Cutteslowe Walls. It reminds us of a divisive chapter in Oxford’s history. It serves as a reminder of the importance of social equality and the power of community action.