Newspaper article about the cancellation of 2023 Shirt Race, which had been one of Oxfordshire’s most popular social events was cancelled in 2023 , The historic Great Shirt Race at Bampton, organised by the Spajers (the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing) - has delighted hundreds of people annually for seven decades. Cancelled because three committee members had resigned. Don Rouse, one of the organisers still in post, was Master of Ceremonies at this race since 1970.
The modern version began in 1953 when village gasman John Quick, farmer Doug Read and fishmonger Paul Bevington dreamed up the idea of a pram race through the streets to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation.

This photograph was taken in the early nineties. In the background, on the extreme left can be seen the popular restaurant, The Poacher's Rest. Next to the restaurant is Adrian Simmond's shop. Further to the right it is just possible to see the little shop that was originally owned by Onisipherous Collett, who built a car in the garage behind the shop,in the very early 1900s. The shop later became Elsie Hughes's wool shop and later a newsapaper shop. It is now known as Exeter House.To the right of the picture can be seen The Market Square Garage. When it was demolished, it was replaced with Thornberry Flats for people aged 55+. The beautiful blue, 4.2 litre straight 6 twin overhead cam E type Jaguar, was owned by Mr. Jimmy Watts of Black Bourton.