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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
Part of Donkey Derby 2019
2l. China smashing
Nik Stanbridge
Part of Donkey Derby 2019
2j. Ice cream stall
Nik Stanbridge
2i. Hit with the hammer, ring the bell, win a prize
Part of Donkey Derby 2019
2i. Hit with the hammer, ring the bell, win a prize
Nik Stanbridge
