SARAH JANE COOPER (1848-1932), marmalade maker, at 83 High Street, Oxford

She was born at Beoly, Redditch and married Frank Cooper in Clifton, Bristol, in 1872. They began their married life at 31 Kingston Road. From there in 1874 they moved to the High Street where at No. 84 Frank ran his grocery shop. It was in the same year that Sarah Jane first made marmalade that was sold at the shop, preparing it either at Kingston Road or, more likely, in an outbuilding behind 83 High Street, formerly part of the Angel Inn. It was a great success. In 1900 Frank Cooper Ltd established a factory at Victoria Buildings, Park End Street (still exists). In 1947 production was moved to the old ice-rink premises in Botley Road (demolished).

The business was bought by Brown and Polson in 1967 and left Oxford but it again had a presence in the city from 1985: Frank Cooper Ltd leased 84 High Street and established a museum there. The building was then taken over by the Grand Café in 1998. The Oxford Bus Company has an office at 83 High Street. Both 83 and 84 are owned by University College.

Source: Brigid Allen, Cooper’s Oxford (1989)

The plaque was unveiled on 10 October 2001 by Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire. Among those attending was Mrs Sheila Guest, the granddaughter of Frank and Sarah Cooper, and other family members.