These two photographs were taken in 1989 and ten years later in 1999 - they are the Bampton Morris Men. Taken in Glebelands by Roy Barratt

On August 4th 2014 a short service of Remembrance was held by the War Memorial in the Market Square, in remembrance of the outbreak of WWI. Reverend David Battersby conducted the service and Gary Gummer held the Standard of the Royal British Legion.

While the title of this piece refers to the Shirt Race, which started as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, this articles talks about many people and is a lovely snapshot of social life in Bampton in 1959. People mentioned include:-

Albert Chandlers, saddler and leather worker and chairman of the parish council and still working hard at his leather work aged 81. Reference is made to the 100 or so council houses built in Weald since the war but there have been no council houses built in Weald, they were along New Road and the area north of New Road.

Percival O Money, "bespoke and surgical boot maker where everything was done by hand, even stitching when repairing footwear. Mr Money was a founding member of the debating society and secretary of the bowls club (which was in the grounds of Weald Manor.)

John Quick, one of the founder member of the SPAJERS - The Society for Ancient Junketer - who organise the Great Shirt Race and other events to raise money for Bampton's senior citizens while providing fun for all.

Mr & Mrs Arthur Scott-Norman licensee of the Elephant and Castle Inn in Bridge Street, knew each other in their school days then bumped into each other again in Tanganyika, never to be parted again. During the war Mr Scott-Norman was in the RAF and later in the Colonial office in Dar-es-Salaam and Mrs Scott-Norman was matron of the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam.

There is much more of interest in the articel.

Map showing Oxfordshire area from Westwell to Curbridge and Kelmscot to Coat (Cote) Common, Bampton Hundred,
plus segment showing St Giles, Oxford.
Published by R. Davis Lewknor August 1797 and indicating:
Alvescot, Asthrop Farm, Aston, Bampton and Aston Fields, Bampton in the Bush, Barley Park, Black Bourton, Brize Norton, Broadwell Grove, Broughton, Burwell Farm, Caswell, Clanfield, Clarks Wier, Claywell, Coat, Curbridge, David Wier, Ducklington, Ducklington, Eaton Hastings, Eaton Hastings, Friars Court, Grafton, Great Lemhill, Harts Wier, Holwell, Kelmscot, Kencote, Langfiord, Lew Barrow, Lew Barrow, Little Clanfield, March Haddon, Nans Wier, Nethber Filkins, New Mill, Ouseham Mill, Over Filkins, Oxley, Radcot, Rushey , Shill Farm, Shilton, Signet, Starvehall Farm, Sworn Leys, Tadpole and Bridge, Ten Foot Wier, Turnpike, Westwell, Witney Park, ,

Indenture Document dated May 10th 1808, with reference to rents and land at Bampton and yeomen Edward Whitaker, Joseph Andrews, John Fludger Salisbury, Barnard Green, John Shingleton, William Williams, Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend. Transcript as follows, see notes at end.

This Indenture made the tenth day of May in the forty eighth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of the united Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight Between Edward Whitaker of Bampton in the County of Oxford Esquire Joseph Andrews of Bampton aforesaid, Surgeon John Fludger Salisbury late of Bampton aforesaid but now of the City of Oxford Surgeon Barnard Green of Bampton aforesaid Cow Leech John Shingleton of Bampton aforesaid yeoman William Williams of Bampton aforesaid yeoman Thomas Gillet of Weald in the Parish of Bampton aforesaid yeoman and Thomas Townsend of Weald aforesaid yeoman of the one part and William Andrews of Bampton aforesaid Butcher of the other part Witnesseth that for and in the Consideration of the Yearly rents Covenants payments and agreements herein reserved mentioned and contained which on the part and behalf of the said William Andrews are and ought to be done performed and kept according to the time intent and meaning of these presents They the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend Have and each of them Hath devised and to farm let and set and by these Presents Do and each of them Doth demise and to farm let and set into the said Willima Andrews All those two closes or inclosed grounds of pasture called Moor Close and Rake Ready Lane containing by Estimation eleven acres (more or less) lying and being in Bampton aforesaid Except and always reserved into the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrew John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs and assigns out of this present demise all Timber and other Trees whatsoever and of what nature or kind soever now standing growing or being in or upon the said Premises or any part thereof or which shall during the Term hereby granted stand grow or be in or upon the same premises with free Liberty of Ingress Egress Regress way and passage to and the said Eward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs and assigns and their Servants Workmen Horses Teams Carts and Carriages to fell cut down dig grub up take and carry away the same at their free will and pleasure To have and to hold the said Closes or inclosed Grounds and every part and parcel thereof with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said William Andrews his Executors and administrators from the fifth day of April last for and during and unto the full end and term of seven years from thence next ensuing and fully to be complete and ended Yielding and paying therefore yearly and every year during the said Term unto the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs or assigns the rent or the Sum of twenty seven pounds of lawful Money by two half yearly payments that is to say on the tenth day of October and the fifth day of April yearly the first payment to begin and be made on the tenth day of October next ensuing the date thereof and so continue to be paid half yearly during the said Term and also yielding and paying on the days and times and in manner aforesaid unto the said Eward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs or assigns the further yearly sum of twenty pounds for each acres of the said hereby demised premises and so in proportion for more than an acre which the said William Andrews his Executor or administrators shall plough dig up or convert into tillage the first payment thereof to begin and made on such of the said days of payment as shall happen next after such ploughing digging up and converting into Tillage and so continue to be paid half yearly during the said term And the said William Andrews for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrators doth covenant promise and agree to and with the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs and assigns by these presents in manner and form following that is to say that he the said William Andrews his Executors or Administrators or some or one of them shall and will well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs and Assigns the said yearly rents or Sums of Money on the days and times and in manner aforesaid without making any deduction or abatement whatsoever And that if the said rents or Sums of Money or any part thereof shall be behind or unpaid in part or in all for the space of twenty one days next after either of the said days or times of payment whereon the same ought to be paid as aforesaid being lawfully demanded or if the said William Andrews shall assign this present Lease or subdemise the said Premises hereby leased or any part thereof without the License or consent of the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs and Assigns under their Hands and Seals first had and obtained that then and in either of the said cases it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs and Assigns into and upon the said demised premises or any part thereof in the name of the whole to reenter and the same to have again repossess and reenjoy as in their first and former Estate or Estates any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise howsoever notwithstanding And also that he the said William Andrews his Executors and Administrators shall and will pay bear and discharge all and all manner of Taxes rates Levies charges and assessments whatso ever as well parliamentary as parochial which shall or may be taxed rated charged or assessed on the said premises or for or in respect thereof or of any part thereof or on the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs and Assigns for or in respect thereof the Landtax Landlord’s property tax and quitrent only excepted which the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend do hereby covenant to pay bear and discharge or abate deduct and allow out of the said hereby reserved rents And that the said William Andrews his Executors and Administrators shall and will during the said Term keep all the Gates Stiles Hedges Mounds and Fences of and belonging to the said premises in good and perfect repair and at the end of the said Term leave the same in such good and perfect repair and shall not nor will lop or top any Maiden Tree or lop or Shroud any other Tree or cut the Hedges of the said Premises but at the proper and Seasonable time of the year nor more than once in the said Term and shall not mow the Grass more than once in each year of the said Term and the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend for themselves their Heirs and Assigns do covenant with the said William Andrews his Executors and Administrators that he the said William Andrews his executors and administrators paying the said rents and performing the said covenants according to the true intent and meaning hereof shall and may peaceable and quietly have hold occupy and possess and enjoy the said demised premises with the appurtenances during the said Term without the lawful let suit Trouble Hindrance Molestation Interruption or denide of or by them the said Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury Barnard Green John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet and Thomas Townsend their Heirs and Assigns In Witness thereof all the said parties to these presents have hereto set their respective Hands and Seals the day and year first above written
Edward Whitaker
John Fludger Salisbury
John Shingleton
Thomas Gillett
Joseph Andrews
William Williams
Thomas Townsend
(no signature of Barnard Green next to the seal)

Sealed and delivered by the within named Edward Whitaker Joseph Andrews John Fludger Salisbury John Shingleton William Williams Thomas Gillet Thomas Townsend and Willima Andrews in the presence of
Thom Broad Macey

Sealed and delivered by the within named William Williams In the presence of
? Macey

Feoffees of Moor Close and Lake Ready Bampton to Mr Wm Andrews
Lease for 7 years from April 5 1808

Macey Witney

Notes

1. Feoffee – a trustee invested with a freehold estate to hold in possession for a purpose
2. The Inclosure map of this area dated 1821 shows the lane call Rake Ready Lane and not Lake ready as written in this indenture

These maps are copied from the document housed at St. Luke's Museum, in East Oxford. The Maps show The fish ponds and water courses, the areas of land and boundaries allocated to the Landowners and names of the plots. There are fish ponds marked in grey behind the Grange, by The Deanery, Weald Manor and down Cheyne Lane
Landowners are named as follows
Lord Shrewsbury, Jesus College, Miss CA Horde, H. Willis, L&T Dewe, James Dewe, The Revd G Richards, The Honourable J Coventry, H. Williams Lefsee, Abingdon Poor, Jos Andrews, Catherine Upjohn, Allotment for Tithes, The Dean and Chapter of Exeter, The Rev J Francis, Rev H Owen, W.J. Walker, Bernard Green, E. Whitaker, Josiah Andrews, G. Shingleton, Catherine Upjohn, Jos Barratt Esq, John Roberts , The Rev T Burrow, Swinbrook Charity, The Rev J Francis, John Kenn,
Names of Plots
Werge Furlong, Youngs Close, Pond Close, Cock, Hen and Chick Furlong, Burnthouse Closes, Bedsons Close, Lains Close, Wrights Hill Furlong, The Poor House, Pettifers Close, Kirks Close, Gravel Pits, The Bowling Green, Forty Acres, Grove Orchard, Dr Andrews, Forty Acres Furlong, Hawkins Piece, Lamperts Seven Acres, The Mews, Swinbrook Close, Home Orchard, Lower Orchard, Lissets Close, Fishers Bridge Close, Coppity Ground, Hows's Closes, Grove Orchard, Kirks Close, Clay Close, Little Clay, Landalls Mead, Calved Close, Dickinson Mead, Coneygra, Headland, Ten Acres F, Horse Close, The Knowl, Eight Acres, Barley ground, Eight Acre F, Gullivers Pieces, Rushey Close, Stray Close, Ham Court Orchard, Sandfords, Great Bourn, Watts Close, Bull Green, Furlong Shooting on Clanfield Footpath, Coxeters Furlong, Coxeter Piece, Varnells Furlong, Rake Ready Lane, Home Close, Spring Close, Bull Furlong, Thoroughout Furlong, Clay Furlong, Wright Hill Furlong, Home Orchard,

Hand drawn Map of showing fields and plots of land with their names in Weald, Bampton, Aston , Yelford and Shifford
The following plot names are included on the map: Aston Cow Common, Aston Sheep Common, Aston Way, Backrills, Badbury F, Bampton Wwstmoor Cow Common, Barnes F, Barow Laynes, Barrow Hill Furlong, Belham, Broad Close, Brook Eight Acres, Brookfast Furlong, Bush Furlong, Cabbage Mead, Calcraft Lane, Calcraft Paddocks, Calves Close, Carters Ham, Charney Meadow, Chimney, Church Field, Claye well Field, Clyell Furlong, Coae Moor Furlong, Coate Town, Columbine, Combe Hill Common, Corn Benny, Cornborn Mead, Cornburn Mead, Cottage Close or Cow Common, Cow Lease Furlong, Craze Acres, Cricklade Ham, Cripps F, Culvery F, Dales Middle East Hery, Dean Mill Furlong, Drove Close, Duxford East Hey, Esq Horde House, Farres First East Hey, Fore Mead, Fore Meadow, Fox Close, Foxes, Fross Furlong, Further Ash Close, Furths Edgerley F, Gander Fields, Garsons Field, Gaston Field, Green Close, Grafton Green, Grandmothers, Great Harnett Close, Great Hillingworth F, Great Nipham belonging to Duke of Marlbporough, Great Rushia, Green Benny F, Grrat Hell, Ham End Furlong, Hatchway Close, Hayway Furlong, Hesters Ground, Highmoor Meadow, Hilley Tithe, Hilly Lease, Holley Well Field, Home Covet, Home F, Home Rushia, Home Rushia, Kingsway Field, LaneCloses, Lanes Furlong, Langley Meadow, Laping Lands, Large Peece, Little Furzy, Little Harnett Close, Little Hell, Long Kendle , Long Lane, Long Sunderwell, Long Wood Furlong, Longlands Farm, Lower Bainey, Lower Cripps Piece, Marsh Long F, Mawbrook, May Furlong, Mead Furlong, Meadow or Elder Stump F, Middlefield, Mill F, Moor Furlong, Moors, Norloins, Oate F, Over Redlands, Pantins, Parsons Hedge Field, Perseland, Pissa Bed Furlong, Poulsworth Common Field, Pullins Piece, Rake Ready Lane, Redlands Farm, Rey Furlong, Rickley Hill, Rye Meadow, Shephouse Paddock, Shifford Common, Short Beer Furong, Short Hedge Furlong, Shortwood F, Shotton Fishermans Hedge, Showells Mead, Sidwell Close, Skinners F, Southby's Great East Hey, Spade Furlong, Sparkes Close, Spile Close, Stack Furlong, Stamps East Hey, Stocks Close, Stocks Lains F, Stone Acre, Swift Lake, Tanny Marsh, The Great Bourne, The Hakles, The Knoll, The Maths, Thirstle Reese, Thorney Lease, Town F, Turnpike Road, Upper Bainey and half Yard Mead, Upwell Grounds, Weed Furlong, Welshmans Acre, Westmoor Lane, Windmill, Wolands F, Wrights or Mill Field, Wymonds Place, Yard and half Mead, Youngs Close Furlong,

Plan of south Bampton showing 5 lots for sale. issued by Moore Allen and Innocent on June 14th 1962.
Lot 2 is where Ampney Orchard is now.
Also shown Isle of Wight Bridge, Tadpole, The Trout, Great Book, River Thames, Cote House. Chimney, Meadow Farm, Meadow Arch Bridge, Old gravel pit, Calais Farm,

3 Large ordnance Survey Maps used by Hadgood and Mammatt Auctioneers and Estate Agents from Witney. Published in 1921 price £5/- and £6/8d. Points of interest are Highmoor Brook, Plantation, Ham Court, Deanery Farm, Churchgate, Vicarage, Manor House, and Weald Manor House, old gravel pit and Beam Cottage, Calais Farm, Primrose Cottages, Fisher's Bridge

A general view of agriculture in Oxfordshire carried out in 1807 and published in 1813. Rates, thrashing mills and tillage. Drilling, wheat, beans and tares. Cattle and Labour. Relating to Bampton and its hamlets, Haddon, Weald, Cote, Aston, Lew, Chimney and Shifford. Report is written by Arthur Young and seems to use Mr. Singleton of Bampton as an example of of how things were done.