This article was written for the September 19th issue of the Witney Gazette. It reports that the O2 telecommunications mast near Bampton has been faulty since it was first reported on August 2nd 2018. There is huge frustration with it being faulty for well over a month and the lack of communication from O2. Much fore information in the article.
3 Frames of an old film footage of the Morris Dancers possible 1930's, showing Sonny Townsend, Reg Whitlock, Bob Whitlock, Fred Pettifer. Don Rouse, Trevor Hewett and Jamie Wheeler, have commented on Morris Eight Band as follows Trevor Hewett – “The Morris Eight Band were: Colin Bathe, melodeon; Andrew Bathe, Alec Titchener, Trevor Hewett, fiddles; Curly Titchener, percussion; Francis Shergold, caller.” Don Rouse – “The Morris Eight Band that Trevor Hewett mentions was indeed the first Band that I booked for an Oxford - Leiden Barn Dance in 1974. Frank Purslow used to play for them. From them were formed the Bampton Barn Dance Band. Curly Titchener and Colin Bathe with their sons often helping out. At the same time the Beaker Folk with Ray Borrett in charge were performing. Mathew Green and Fred Cook were with the Bampton Barn Dance Band and broke away to present their own interesting style of Folk music to form the Woodpeckers. Arnold Woodley then formed a Band at this time which I cannot remember their name. Can Jamie Wheeler help me. So, during the 1970s - 80s and 90s there were five very capable bands operating from Bampton.” Jamie Wheeler - Arnolds band was the Bampton Bushmen. I played regularly with the Morris 8 from 1979 to 1983 and on an occasional basis with Beaker Folk from 1982 right up to 2015
