Pipe Organ Restoration at St Mary's, Bampton.
Work started on February 17th 2016 with the arrival of a second hand electric organ for use while the pipe organ was dismantled, taken away, parts renewed, enhanced and created. These pictures show the work on the pipe organ and the frame that was done at Cousans in Coleville, just SE of Loughborough. The pictures were taken by Ian, one of the senior skilled workers at Cousans.

A large section of wall in Church Close fell and badly damaged at least two vehicles. The wall was eventually repaired and a new opening created where a gateway was made.

The Friends of St Mary's have recently been arranging a series of 3 talks, one in Feb, March and April to raise funds for the church. This poster was for the Feb 2018 talk entitled
"The Graveyard Shift: surgery and body snatching at Guy's Hospital in the 19th century."
The talk was given by Professor Roger Jones.

The Friends of Saint Mary’s try to offer three talks each spring to raise funds for the church.
This flyer was one of those talks.
The Role of Wine in the Church by Robin Shuckburgh

The Friends of Saint Mary, Bampton as part of their fund raising have in recent years organised a series of two or three talks, one a month, in the springtime. Robin Shuckburgh was to talk on the Role of Wine in The Church but sadly, due to dreadful weather this had to be cancelled and it is hoped Robin can do this another year.

On February 17th 2016 work began to dismantle the old pipe organ in St Mary's. Douglas Clare, one of our two churchwardens in April 2019 wrote the following article for the May issue of Contact.

Newspaper article and Leaflet asking for donations to help with the restoration of the Church Organ which was originally made by William Gray in 1812 at a cost of £460 guineas. Estimated cost for the project was £175,000 which would comprise of £75,000 grant and £100,000 from donations. Work was eventually carried out by Cousins Organs in Coalville North-west Leicestershire, after the company Peter Collins Ltd of Melton Mowbray went into administration. Douglas Clare -churchwarden and treasurer and choirmaster - David New

Set of Photographs taken on June 9th 2019 showing the members of St. Mary's Choir, Bampton enjoying a Barbeque at Glebe Farm Black Bourton

The outbreak of Coronavirus in 2020 has caused devastation to the way of life all around the world. New restrictions and advice were being given daily by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and two specialist advisers each day at 5pm from the week beginning Monday March 16th 2020.

It was announced during this week that all schools were to close but the pupils of key workers could still go to nominated schools to allow their parent to continue with his or her essential job. Also, pupils who would normally have free school meals would be able to go in order to have at least one square meal per day.

On Friday, the list of key workers was published and this article from the on-line Witney Gazette lists those key workers.

An instruction from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York this week said there would be no services until the risk of catching coronavirus has passed. Weddings can take place with a maximum of 5 people attending but that did not say if it was the bride and groom and the clergy plus two, or those 3 plus 5. Not helpful.

Article written by Dr Ernest Parkin describing the Double Easter Sepulchre in the church, which is "special" because it is double. Dated from 15th Century.