For what feels like years and years, WODC have been putting together a Local (housing) Plan and at long last, it was agreed by the governments planning inspectorate. All far too late to stop the speculative developments which WODC could not stop in Bampton which resulted in 160 house in New Road, a further 160 to be built at the bottom of Mt Owen Rd and the fight to stop yet another development between the Aston and Buckland Road continues (as at Sept 2019). A development on the east side of Station Road following on from the two semi detached bungalows has been granted and are being built now (Sept 2019). 7 new dwellings at Weald Manor farm have been built, Glebe Farm farther down Weald Street are building 6 as I write and a 7th will be added to them.
The surgery is at full stretch, no road improvements have been made, people are parking on pavements, some of the new houses in New Road have experienced sewerage back-flows. There are so many cars parked in Bampton now it's nearly always impossible to pass them without causing a motorist coming in the other direction from having to stop and wait

John Chipperfield usually has a page in the Witney Gazette where he recalls events in times past. This item recalls the time in 1978 when Susan Morris, pictured at the organ in Clanfield Church played for 10 hours taking turns with John White and John Goodrun. It was to accompany the Flower Festival in the church. Susan is still playing at Clanfield (2019)

In 1978 the vicar looked after both Bampton and Clanfield churches. By 1970, the vicar of the time lived in the vicarage in Bampton and was responsible for the churches not only of Clanfield and Bampton but Lew, Aston and Shifford as well.

The people of Bampton always pull together when push comes to shove. Residents got fed up with the litter about the paths and lanes and organised a mass clean-up. This article gives much more detail about it.

The Bampton Community Archive puts on three exhibitions each year which run for two months. In September 2018 Janet Newman put up a wonderfully researched exhibition on some of Bampton's Families. Family trees were printed out on scrolls for people to see as well as written text. In this picture, young Devon Townsend and his father David can be seen looking at one of the family trees and have found themselves on it much to young Devon's delight.

Gilly French and Jeremy Gray celebrated the 25th year of the Bampton Classical Opera in 2018. They are the founders and still work tirelessly to make every year a huge success. It is now known as one of the top venues and events of its type and people come from abroad to see it.
This newspaper article gives lots of interesting information.

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.

Bampton has had a long history of playing cricket and Anna Pitt put on a wonderful, well researched exhibition on the subject in January/February 2019. The catalogue of the exhibition is still on sale. This is a double spread newspaper article about it that was in the Witney Gazette January 23rd 2019.

The SPAJERS - The Society for The Preservation of Ancient Junketing - organised many dances as part of their fundraising events to enable them to give fun to Bampton's senior citizens while everyone had fun.
There are 6 tickets here with dances from 1960 to 1970.

A carnival and fête, organised by the British Legion, held in the grounds of The Grange by kind invitation of Major and Mrs W.W.B. Scott. The event started at the Town Hall with the crowning of Carnival Queen, 16 year old Pamela Quick. Her attendants were Christine Neagle and Carole Edwards and a young Mathew Green was crown bearer. You need to read the article for a list of all the events, side shows and winners. 1965

Admiring the work on display at the Gallery in the Town Hall are Karen Taylor aged 8, Edward Forester-Walker aged 7 and Tom Woods aged 5.
Six local schools took part.
Works included portraits of Mum, the local librarian and nurses as well as embroidery, bird paintings and a large collage.