50 results with digital objects Show results with digital objects
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.
Janet Westman
Thieves steal four marquees from SPAJERS
Witney Gazette, 2017
THIEVES stole £3,400 worth of marquees from a village charity group - less than a week before they were due to be used for an event. The four marquees, which cost about £850 each, were stolen from a barn outside of Bampton on Monday night, just days before they were due to be used for a vicar's send off on Saturday. They were stored there by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing (SPAJERS), a charity which organises popular quirky event to raise funds for the village’s elderly residents. Eighty-year-old Don Rouse, who has organised events and been involved with the charity for several decades, said:
“When you mention SPAJERS Bampton people put their hands in their pocket. The whole embodiment of Bampton is in SPAJERS. It is a shame. We all work for the good of Bampton so when something like this happens it’s gut wrenching. But nothing will stop SPAJERS and Bampton. The community spirit here is incredible. We’ve already ordered two new ones and hopefully they’re on their way.”
The thieves used bolt cutters to gain access to the barn, on a lane off Mount Owen Road, and a trailer stored inside to get to the marquees. They were due to be used on Saturday as villagers get together to bid farewell to The Rev David Lloyd, who is retiring after 21 years of serving parishes in the area. The event will get under way on the Buckland Road sports field at 3pm.
SPAJERS holds a number of popular events throughout the year, including the Bampton Shirt Race and the Donkey Derby.
Nik Stanbridge
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
Janet Westman
History of the SPAJERS in Bampton
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.
Janet Rouse
Shirt Races in 1955, c1965 and 1989
These three pictures show the Shirt Race over several years. The first race ever took place in 1953 to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. All the contestants wore long night shirts hence the name.
The children's race is seen by the bridge in Buckland Road. In those days the race started by The Swan Inn just beyond the bridge on the left.
In later years, the night shirts were done away with and with fewer and fewer prams available, the modes of transport have varied and the costumes are now so good there is a competition before the races to judge the best one.
Janet Rouse
Anne Shergold, Penny Danniels and Theresa Dora Townsend in school kitchen
Ann Shergold, Penny Daniels and Dora Townsend cooking a S.P.A.J.E.R.S. dinner
Nik Stanbridge
Although the caption talks about a 'Street Fayer' the picture is actually of Jim Smith and Martin Barber in fancy dress for the Shirt Race organised annually by the SPAJERS ie the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing. The society organises fun things to raise money for the senior citizens of Bampton and Lew.
Bampton Community Archive
A pair of entrants in the 1983 Shirt Race
Keith Mitchell and Rhona Peacock in fancy dress for the shirt race in 1983. Their pram was made into a coffin on wheels.
Bampton Community Archive
Death of Edith Susan Quick nee Sheppard Sept 10th 2020
Edith Susan Quick nee Sheppard died on September 10th 2020. Edie came from a Bampton family of several generations. Her husband John was the principal founder member of the SPAJERS, our charity which creates fun events to raise funds for local senior citizens. They include the Shirt Race, Donkey Derby, Josie's Grand Draw and in conjunction with Bampton's fire brigade a wonderful bonfire and firework night. In the past there have been balls in Weald Manor.
Bampton Community Archive