These two sketches were done by Alan Beers in 1990 and given to Bob West, who has kindly allowed the Archive to scan them. They are of Cyril Smith and Francis Shergold.
The staircase to the top floor of the Grammar School was removed in the 1960s when people stood a greater chance of getting to the ground floor by falling through the rotten floor than coming back down the stairs. The Bampton Community Archive members have worked incredibly hard to raise funds on the back of the tourism boost from visitors flocking to Bampton to see the this building which was used as the Cottage Hospital in ITV's Downton Abbey. The grant from WODC means the work to bring the whole building into good heart can begin.
Bampton celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II over 4 days at the beginning of June 2012. These are a few of the reports of some of the events which took place.
When Lloyd Hughes Owens created a series of albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s there were people alive who could remember seeing Fred Able in Bampton with his little cart, two donkeys and his dog.
This newspaper cutting is from April 1st 1983. The anniversary of the Women's League was celebrated by joining with the Mothers' Union for prayers and a celebration tea. The PTA held a bazaar and raised £75 for their funds which in 1983 was a good amount of money. The same day head teacher Malcolm Mason took some of the school's boy to Wembley to see the schoolboys' match against Germany. The wives club monthly meeting had a special speaker called Mr Blue who talked about colour in the home; he had previously worked on the interior of Blenheim Palace.
Although the caption talks about a 'Street Fayer' the picture is actually of Jim Smith and Martin Barber in fancy dress for the Shirt Race organised annually by the SPAJERS ie the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing. The society organises fun things to raise money for the senior citizens of Bampton and Lew.
Kite sculpture at Bampton Arts Centre Aug 8-22 1976 by Professor Kyle Hanton. The Bampton Arts Centre in later years was re-named West ox Arts and it is housed in the upper floor of Bampton's Town Hall.
Clare Dryden was invested as May Queen. Bob Harris, probably best known for presenting The Old Grey Whistle Test but at this point he was a presenter on Radio Oxford, put the sash on Clare. The ceremony took place in the WI Hall, Market Square. It is now the Village Hall.