Oxford & Buckinghamshire Branch

Welcome to Oxford and Buckinghamshire  branch

We are a branch of about 900 members, spread over the counties of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

We hold branch meetings for members 4 times a year and try to move the meetings around the area so all members get an opportunity to come to a branch meeting in person, or join in online, since all meetings are held as both in person and virtual events, this means you can attend either in person or virtually on Zoom. In addition, we will host a number of informal "coffee morning" meetings when we shall be pleased to meet members and those who would like to know more about Equity.

Forthcoming dates are:

BRANCH MEETINGS

We will hold these meetings at various venues in order that as many members as possible can come to meet us in person. We will let you know as soon as we can where these meetings will be.

Next Branch Meeting

Monday 14th September 2026 at 7 pm - venue to be advised

2026 Branch meetings & Annual General Meeting

Monday 7th December 2026 at 7 pm via Zoom

AGM - Monday 9th November 2026 at 7 pm - venue to be advised

Campaigns you can help with

At our meetings we will tell you about the campaigns that Equity is running. You will have the opportunity to support these campaigns as well as discussing what is important to you  - and how the Branch can start its own, local, campaigns.

Remembering Jeanne Golding 

Jeanne Golding was an actor, singer, director and teacher. She trained at Central School of Speech and Drama and was a proud Equity member for several decades. 

Jeanne was a founder member of the original Oxford General Branch launched in 2015, becoming an active committee member from day one. She wrote in her original statement to branch members: “It is very exciting that Oxford is to have its own branch of Equity which will give the members in the area an opportunity to meet others, share experiences and concerns, attend interesting events and just have fun too. I believe it is very important that our diverse industry has a strong, proactive and campaigning Union, which listens and responds to its members' concerns. Equity raises awareness of so many issues such as the loss of regional theatres, low and no-pay work and many areas involving concerns in the fields of diversity and equality. The Union offers practical advice and support to members in need including work injury, problems with employment conditions, financial concerns and the welfare of its oldest members. It's good to know it's there!”

Jeanne and I worked together as committee members of the new Equity branch for nearly 5 years. We shared PRO & secretarial tasks; while I concentrated mainly on the branch website and newsletters, Jeanne worked hard at contacting and inviting guest speakers for our branch events. She was instrumental in getting the wonderful TV writer-director-producer Sally Wainwright to come and talk to local Equity members, a memorable, well-attended branch event at the Oxford Playhouse, which was a highlight for many. 

Jeanne was funny, kind and passionate about theatre and education. She was a proud Geordie and kept us all going with her energy and her sense of humour. She died in October 2025 and is greatly missed by her family, friends and Equity colleagues. I will always be grateful for her joyful company and support during our years together on the committee.

Juliet Dante, founder member of the Oxfordshire General Branch and committee member from 2015 to 2021

Founding Committee 2015: L. to R. Thomas Bewley, Jeanne Golding, Juliet Dante, Richard Grayson, Allan Webb, Paul Mead and Noni Harrison.

Oxon Branch Committee 2019: L. to R. from back row: Michael Curran, Thomas Cardwell, Jeanne Golding, Juliet Dante, Allan Webb, Paul Mead, Richard Duployen, Thea Oxbury and Sedhar Chozam.

Keeping things going . . .