Colin Harold Bathe died on May 8th 2011 at the age of seventy three. His close friend David John Titchener, widely known as Curly, preceded him by just a few months dying at the age of seventy six on January 20th 2011. Both were well known in the area around their home town of Swindon for numerous activities relating to sports and motorised vehicles, but it is their involvement with traditional music, Morris dancing and song for which they will be remembered by Bampton people.
The article gives you far more information about these two men.
These photographs, all taken by Bob West at the Spring Bank Holiday day of Morris Dancing 2000. All but the last two are Tony Daniels' morris side, (now at 2020 under Craig Godwin). The next to last picture is of Sherbourne Morris and the last picture is Eynsham Morris, both guests of the local side.
These photographs taken by Bob West record some of the activities of the late May Bank holiday weekend in 2000. Francis Shergold's morris side and visiting teams Sherbourne and Eynsham
These pictures were taken by Bob West during the May Bank holiday weekend 1997. People in the pictures include Ann and Francis Shergold, Reg Hall, Craig Godwin, Jamie Blackwell and other members of the Francis Shergold side.
These are photographs of the Bampton Traditional Morris Men dancing on Spring Bank Holiday Monday in 2005. The visiting guest Morris sides are Abingdon and Leyland Morris.
The photographs were all taken by Bob West who carried the cake for the Morris for very many years. They are all of the May Bank Holiday 1997 Morris Dancing
Bampton always has a weekend filled with fun and laughter over the late May Bank Holiday. These cuttings talk about the Shirt Race and the Morris Dancing. In one of the cuttings you can also read about
An exhibition of Arts and Crafts in the Town Hall
Cancer Research Bampton branch raising funds
The Community Fete organised by the Royal British Legion in the afternoon of Bank Holiday Monday
The Pumpkin Club which held a Tramps' Supper in the Cotswold Hotel on the Saturday night after the Shirt Race
Frank Purslow was not only an excellent melodeon player, he taught many local people as well. He also had a wonderful catalogue of music gathered throughout his life. It was shocking to see it all put outside the gate of his house after his death for the bin men to pick up. A little was rescued but the vast majority was thrown away. The letter from Frank shown here was a follow-on from one sent the week before and the text will explain all.
