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
All 13 photographs were taken during the celebration of Francis Shergold's 80th birthday. As well as Francis other people seen in the photos include Roy Shergold, Paul Goss, Rod Stradling, Bob Davenport, Bob West, Ted Poole, Martin Landray, sister Ruth Wheeler nee Shergold, wife Ann Shergold, Danny Stradling, Reg Hall, Margaret Landray. Francis's birthday was January 31st and he was born in 1919
These three pictures, taken by Bob West are of Ann and Francis Shergold and brother Roy Shergold taken inside the Elephant & Castle Inn on Bridge Street in 1999 on the occasion of Francis's 80th birthday.
Handwritten notes by Hilda Kent, about the history of her home Cromwell House and the Old Forge. The tenants and owners from 1660's,, included Ann Waring Jane Coxeter John Fox John Jorden Messrs Orpwood and Smith Mrs Sammons Richard Coxeter Richard Sunderlands Thomas Sammons William Stamp
Article in the Limited Edition Magazine of Oxfordshire in 2000 about Don Rouse having been connected with the Bampton Mummers for 50 years. Characters in the play, the script of which has been handed down through the ages by word of mouth, include The Doctor, Jack Finney, The Turkish Knight, the Royal O'Prussia King, Tom the Tinker, Father Christmas, Robin Hood and St George or King George. The Bampton Mummers are organised by The SPAJERS and they collect funds by performing at private homes and pubs on Christmas Eve every year.
