Newspaper article about the cancellation of 2023 Shirt Race, which had been one of Oxfordshire’s most popular social events was cancelled in 2023 , The historic Great Shirt Race at Bampton, organised by the Spajers (the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing) - has delighted hundreds of people annually for seven decades. Cancelled because three committee members had resigned. Don Rouse, one of the organisers still in post, was Master of Ceremonies at this race since 1970. The modern version began in 1953 when village gasman John Quick, farmer Doug Read and fishmonger Paul Bevington dreamed up the idea of a pram race through the streets to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation.
Display Boards used to exhibit the restoration of the Old Grammar School. These boards explain the restoration of the Old Grammar School built in the mid 1650s with a legacy of Robert Vesey, as a school to educate the children of Bampton. The Old Grammar School has been in some kind of trust for the village for 370 years. The current trust called the Bampton Exhibition Foundation (“BEF”), was set up in 1906 after the school had officially passed into the hands of the Government Education Department. Bampton Community Archive wanted to secure the future of the building for another 300 years, and give a formal home for the foreseeable future and continue the job of creating and maintaining an historical record of Bampton and surrounding villages. Thanks to lots of hard work and generous support from the landlords (Bampton Exhibition Foundation), WODC, OCC, all our visitors and the benefit of the ‘Downton Abbey’ connection helped to raise sufficient funds to undertake the long-planned improvements to the interior of the Old Grammar School. The building reopened in May 2022. Downstairs Library and Vesey Room with its exhibition space and shop and upstairs a spectacular space which had not been accessible since 1961.
Lynne Rosemary Pointer was born on 23rd April 1946 and in Bampton enjoyed helping save the local library from closure, and being involved with the SPAJERS charity whose events are fun, legendary, and unique to a village with a strongly supportive community.
Invitation to attend an evening event to celebrate the 20th Anniversary at the Old School House, Langford, the former home of Sir Hardy Amies, Queen Elizabeth II dress designer, hosted by the president of the archive David Freeman.
Photographs of spectators of Morris Dancers and customers enjoying the Bampton pubs at the Whitsun weekend: Some people named as: Martin and June Hewitt. Roy Hewitt. Max Norman, Sue Wigglesworth in Romany. Dennis Merrils, Harry Walton of the Talbot, Cyril Phipps, Alan Eldret, Vic Grinsell. Taff and Babs Suggs, Dick Arnott, Martin Barber and Jimmy Smith 1980s Roy Shergold, Jean and Jeff Chance, Gordon Lorimer, Annie Grinsell, Wendy Eldrett, Stuart Howlett, Mike Watson, Ursula and Bob Booth Landlord and landlady of the Romany. Kevin Bradley, Terry Curtis, Michal Farmer outside Romany Easter Bonnet Parade
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.
