6 Pages article about Francis Shergold written by Keith Chandler Francis Shergold resigned as Squire of the Bampton Morris in November 1995, after an astonishing 60 years as dancer with the side - 45 of those as Squire. He was awarded the Gold Medal of the EFDSS in 1996 as had the former Squire, 'Jinky' Wells, some 38 years before. With the rebirth of MT, it seemed an appropriate time to commission an article on Francis, as he assumed the mantle of Honorary President of the side. At 79, he continued to participate in all the side's activities, including the dancing at times, Keith Chandler's article follows Francis' career through to the 1980s,
Bertie Clark. Fiddle rear Harry Hampton (fool) Peter Alum, George Hunt, Bobby Wells cake Bertie (1877.-1958) was another Bampton Morris fiddler, but unlike Wells was not born into the tradition. He was brought up in London, where he worked at a railway depot in Camden Town. He had some violin lessons, and played in the railway staff orchestra. Sometime before the Great War he moved to Carterton, the village next to Bampton. When in 1926 Jinky Wells had a falling-out with his Morris side, and went off to form his own, Bertie Clark was invited to be fiddler for the original Bampton Morris; he initially learned the tunes from Cecil Sharp’s published manuscripts (presumably relations with Wells were such that he wasn’t going to teach them to Bertie himself!) Recordings of his playing made in 1958 appear on Rig-a-jig jig; dance music of the south of England from Topic Records’ "Voice of the People" collection. A listen to his playing is very instructive. At the time he would have been 81 years old, was quite likely well out of practice and possibly arthritic.
Article from Witney Gazette written by Miranda Norris senior reporter, about the opponents of the 20 mph scheme to be introduced in villages throughout England in 2022, and stating that the Bampton Parish Council supported the proposal and it would go ahead. Refers to a flawed Survey Monkey where 155 objections came from the same IP address. Bill Cotton, Corporate Director Environment and Place, wrote: “The parish council support the proposals as does the local elected county council member. Given this support it is considered that this outweighs the objections given.” Bampton resident Alan Oliver said: "It's not so much that the county council has discounted the consultation, they seem to have done that everywhere. But, basically, if Bampton Parish Council asked for 20mph they would get it."
Leaflet advertising an illustrated talk by Owen Green held in the Lewington Room March 2023, Oxfordshire born William 'Strata ' Smith was known for his great geological map published in 1815