Lynne Rosemary Pointer was born on 23rd April 1946 and in Bampton enjoyed helping save the local library from closure, and being involved with the SPAJERS charity whose events are fun, legendary, and unique to a village with a strongly supportive community.
Article by Miranda Norris, entitled "Bampton's annual Donkey Derby is a runaway success" Children race donkeys around a field as a much-loved village tradition on bank holiday Monday. The donkey derby in Bampton is run by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing (SPAJERS), which was formed in 1953 and also runs the village's famous shirt race. Children aged eight and above and weighing under eight stone are allowed to ride the donkeys with a donkey welfare officer in attendance.There are eight races, with six donkeys in each. Each race is sponsored by a local business, and the donkeys are sponsored by villagers. All proceeds from the event go to events and trips for Bampton's senior citizens. Visitors to Sandford's Field also tried their hand at games such as crockery smashing and Splat the Rat, while children not keen on donkey racing enjoyed pinning the tail on one.
2021 Donkey Derby held in Sandfords field on August Bank Holiday Monday ecery year. The event is accompanied by a fete and is well attended. The donkeys are ridden by children and the races are sponsored by local businesses. and there was a raffle with prizes given by Majestic Wine, Patrick Strange Butchers, Blenheim Palace, Crocodiles of the World, Bampton Garden Plants The Shake Shop Aston Pottery, Cotswold Wildlife Park. 50 Photos showing participating attractions and visitors.
Series of 33 photographs some with names of participants of the Shirt Race over the years Roy Hewitt, John Shuker, Martin Barber, Henry Barber, Dougie Moncrieff Ben Tan ner, Rocky, John Mattingly, Tommy Tanner, Mark Norman, Paul Mellin, Mickey Beckett Ian Gough, Lee Woodley, Danny Beckett
The cuttings are from the Standard, Times, & Echo dated Friday 1st June 1973. “Holiday festivities in Bampton”, “Bampton shirt race comes of age” and “Bampton Annual Fête” This cutting describes the race and states it is in the 21st year. Harry Hampton and George Hunt , the winners of the first races in 1952/53 were the judges. Paul Bovington relayed the information. Junior class winners were Neil Hitchins and Darryl Hirons, and Adult Winners: Michael Bradley and Geofrey Lane from Black Bourton. Junior Race: 1st -Anthony Collett Andrew Bathe, 2nd - Malcolm Walker and Kevin Paintin, 3rd - Clive Tanner and Valerie Adams Senior Race: 1st Richard Snook and Mickey Smith, 2nd - Richard Buckingham and Darryl Hirons 3rd - Gordon Walker and David Pearce.
Programme and photographs of the 2022 Donkey Derby held in the Sandford Field August Bank Holiday This is organised by the SPAJERS and generates funds for the Senior Citizens of Bampton and Lew. Local Companies sponsor the races and the donkeys are ridden by children There are also stalls selling local crafts and produce.
49 photos of The Donkey Derby held in Sandford Field, August bank holiday 2021 Master of ceremonies was Don Rouse and village communities had various stall, the Donkeys are jockeyed by children with parental consent. Stalls included Bampton Belles WI Cake stall Splat the rat Guess my name Shopping Village Face painting Jo Lewingtons garden pottery Buckingham Christmas time Sue Stanbridge Stamps Needle Felt Tombola
Don Rouse, probably the longest serving committee member of the SPAJERS (Society for The Preservation of Ancient Junketing) wrote this history of the society in March 2022.