These photos taken in 1980, show members of the Bampton Traditional Morris Men who are frequently guests of Abingdon Morris on their Mayor Making Day, along with their wives and girlfriends. In years when the whole side is not invited two members with partners are always invited.
3 Frames of an old film footage of the Morris Dancers possible 1930's, showing Sonny Townsend, Reg Whitlock, Bob Whitlock, Fred Pettifer. Don Rouse, Trevor Hewett and Jamie Wheeler, have commented on Morris Eight Band as follows Trevor Hewett – “The Morris Eight Band were: Colin Bathe, melodeon; Andrew Bathe, Alec Titchener, Trevor Hewett, fiddles; Curly Titchener, percussion; Francis Shergold, caller.” Don Rouse – “The Morris Eight Band that Trevor Hewett mentions was indeed the first Band that I booked for an Oxford - Leiden Barn Dance in 1974. Frank Purslow used to play for them. From them were formed the Bampton Barn Dance Band. Curly Titchener and Colin Bathe with their sons often helping out. At the same time the Beaker Folk with Ray Borrett in charge were performing. Mathew Green and Fred Cook were with the Bampton Barn Dance Band and broke away to present their own interesting style of Folk music to form the Woodpeckers. Arnold Woodley then formed a Band at this time which I cannot remember their name. Can Jamie Wheeler help me. So, during the 1970s - 80s and 90s there were five very capable bands operating from Bampton.” Jamie Wheeler - Arnolds band was the Bampton Bushmen. I played regularly with the Morris 8 from 1979 to 1983 and on an occasional basis with Beaker Folk from 1982 right up to 2015
Advertisement detailing celebrations in the Village for the 70th Jubilee of the Queen. June 2nd - June 5th. Included the Shirt Race and Morris Dancing which usually took place on May Bank Holiday weekend. Organised by Parish Council
Newspaper cutting reporting on Tramps' Supper put on by Pumpkin Club to raise funds for the elderly residents on Bampton. Held in the Cotswold Grill and the Food donated by Dave Passmore the proprietor. Prizes were given to the best dressed Tramps. The Weekend activities included Judging of Whitsun Garlands made by Children, prizes went to Andrew and Mark Whitlock, George and Amanda Gascoigne and Floyd and Christine Curtis. Morris Dancing and an Art Exhibition were also held. The cuttings are from the Standard, Times, & Echo dated Friday 1st June 1973. “Holiday festivities in Bampton”, “Bampton shirt race comes of age” and “Bampton Annual Fête”