Fascinating memories of the village of Lew and the people who have lived there, along with memorable events by Donald Rouse

First ever meeting held in the newly restored upper room of the Grammar School June 9th 2022. The upper room was named The Lewington Room after Jo Lewington, whose idea and dedication brought about this amazing restoration.

Alec Wixey is the dancer in Royal Marines uniform. He caught the train from Lympstone barracks in Devon to Swindon, got a lift to Bampton, danced all day in full uniform and went back to barracks in the evening. Francis & Roy Shergold on the left, Pete Allam far right. Sitting , on the right, is Mrs. Ellis with Gary Gerhardt and Mrs Snook with Wayne. Standing on the left are Sheila Stephens and Margaret Clements (Hayes).

Jean Countess of Donoughmore, who died aged 89, was kidnapped by the IRA along with her husband in 1974. The Earl and Countess of Donoughmore were kidnapped from their home in Knocklofty, Clonmel, Co Tipperary in June 1974.
She married John Michael Henry Hely Hutchinson in 1925. He was the elder son of the 6th Earl of Donoughmore. During the second World War she was in charge of the Red Cross in the East End of London and was made an MBE for her work in 1947.
Following the death of the 7th Earl of Donoughmore in 1981, he was succeeded as the 8th Earl by his son , who came to live at Bampton Manor, Broad Street and later at Frogwell, Bushey Row.

This is a newspaper article written by S.P.B.Mais, following a visit to some Oxfordshire village inns. The Elephant and Castle in Bridge Street; The Malt Shovel in Lavender Square; The Horse and Groom in Black Bourton (now The Vines) and The Plough at Alvescot are all mentioned. The writer says by far the most interesting character was 85 year-old Mr. John Kent of The Malt Shovel, Lavender Square, Bampton. At that time Mr Kent had been landlord for 34 years and had an abundance of fascinating stories to tell.

This newspaper sketch shows the fiddler Billy Wells - better known as Jingy Wells. Second from the left is Charles 'Cocky Tanner', the Bagman.Charles danced for forty years. At the back can be seen the Fool, Dave Edginton and at the front, extreme right, is Thomas 'Buscot' Tanner, the Squire.

Arthur Hill and Mr Fred Lomas crossing a very quiet High Street. Arthur Hill had the little antique shop, now the hairdresssers, next to The Horseshoe. It was stacked to the ceiling , with just a small path through to view the many antiques. Arthur would often refuse to sell items, particularly if they were in the window. Fred Lomas, in his later years, was the guard at The Midland Bank, opposite Arthur's shop. Duttons at this time was a greengrocers, delicatessen and pharmacy.

There are three bits to this document.
The registered copy of the will starts on page 1 - TNA PROB 11/169/189
and ends - Acknowledged, signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us Robert Vesey the younger, Thomas Napkin, Edward Bush.
The probate act, in Latin, translated is in purple
The sentence of the court, in a case brought against the executor by many of the beneficiaries, begins - TNA PROB 11/169/421

The attendant at the back on the rigt is Sally Ellis. It's possible that the attedant on the left is Faye Fairclough (Smith).The picture is taken in front of The Elephant and Castle pub in Bridge Street. The building dates from the 17th century with alterations in the 19th century and in the 1960's. It seems to have been a public house for most of its life but it closed at some point in or after 2000 and is now a private house. It had a thatched roof until 1958 when a firework, let off some weeks before the 5th November, struck the roof and started a fire.