A personal account of time at the Horse Fair

The Horse Fair in Bridge Street looking east. At one time, it was one of the larger horse fairs in the country. Boys with barrows collected the horse dung for sale. The Wheatsheaf became the post office in 1972 and a private house in 2010 when the post office moved to the middle room of the Town Hall. The three semi-circular windows in the first floor of was the HSBC bank (in 2014) and Patrick Strainge butchers have been altered at some point to look like their neighbouring upstairs windows.

Horse Fair, ponies on Church Green sold for pit ponies. By Bourton Cottages

Percy Hughes butcher's shop next to the Horse Shoe before it was rebuilt

img168 Horse Fair, ponies on Church Green sold for pit ponies

Horse fair with these animals at the south end of Church View. Notice that the ladies also came out to see the horses making it a spectacle and event for all to enjoy.

Horses on Church Green. Men with white flags kept the horses under control. A strip of white rag was tied on the tail of a horse when it was sold. In later years, a white sticker was stuck to their rumps. Note the temporary railing in front of Church Gate house. Ladies and children stayed safe in the churchyard while they watched proceedings.

• Daniel Gibbard
• Hay harvest
• Horse fair, Church Green
• Goodman's Tea Dealers
• Mr & Mrs Dewe
• Mr White of Ampney Lodge & Meadow Farm
• Letter from Lucinda Leech with 5x4 inch negative of 1904

Horse Fair - ponies tied up on Church Green were considered by the vendors to be suitable for pit ponies and the Welsh miners knew to come to this part of Bampton to buy their pit ponies. Here, the ladies and children are inside the church wall away from the horses but able to watch the proceedings. It was an event much enjoyed by all and the ladies and children have got their best hats on.

Horses on Church Green. Men with white flags kept the horses under control. A strip of white rag was tied on the tail of a horse when it was sold. In later years, a white sticker was stuck to their rumps. Note the temporary railing in front of Church Gate house. Ladies and children stayed safe in the churchyard while they watched proceedings