It has become the custom to take a group photograph of the Bampton Traditional Morris Men when they dance at Grey Barn on the late May Bank Holiday Monday. This is usually about 9.15 to 9.30am. Dancers and musicians in the photo include:-
This is a group photo of the Bampton Traditional Morris Men taken at Grey Barn house in Queen Street in 1998. President was Francis Shergold and the squire was Tony Daniels. The dancers plus musician, cake carrier/collector and fool include:-
Francis Shergold began dancing with Jingy Wells side, (William Nathan 'Jingy' Wells) as a young man and eventually took over as squire of the side. In recognition of his decades of devotion to keeping the tradition alive in Bampton the EFDSS awarded Francis their Gold Badge in 1996 at a special evening in Cecil Sharp House, London. The Citation was given by Derek Schofield. In one picture, after the presentation Francis can be seen with his sister Ruth and wife Ann and in another picture having a quiet pint with Sydney Alfred 'Nibs' Matthews. Francis died in 2008 and this obituary was written by Keith Chandler.
'Nibs' Matthews was not a Bampton man but he was a staunch supporter of Bampton Morris and a good friend to Francis Shergold. He is sitting on the right in this photograph where he's enjoying a pint with Francis after Francis had just been awarded the EFDSS Gold Badge at Cecil Sharp House, London. The citation for Nibs was in The Guardian on April 17th 2006
Group of 24 Photos taken on the Sunday before Bank Holiday Monday, Garden of The Eagle Last chance to practice before Monday's celebrations, and an opportunity to Barn Dance
Francis Shergold spent most of his adult life dancing Bampton Traditional Morris and was the squire of the Bampton Traditional Morris Men for over 50 years. In 1996 he was awarded the gold badge of the English Folk Dance and Song Society at Cecil Sharp House in London. The citation (included here) was read by Derek Schofield; 'Nibs' Matthews (Sydney Alfred Matthews) had the pleasure of pinning the badge on Francis's jacket. Francis gave a heartfelt speech of thanks and had his photograph taken with his beloved wife Ann and his sister Ruth Wheeler and then enjoyed a pint with Nibs. Sadly, now in 2017 both Francis and Nibs are long gone and their obituaries are included in this pdf.
