Donkey Derby 2007 organised by the SPAJERS and held in Sandfords Field on August Bank Holiday Monday each. The money raised while having fun is to make sure Bampton's pensioners have fun
2006 Programme for the Donkey Derby, annual event held on August Bank Holiday and organised by the SPAJERS. Proceeds from this go to the senior citizens of Bampton and used to provide a monetary Christmas gift and possible summer outing. The Donkeys are ridden by children in races, which are sponsored by local businesses and bets are made on the winners. Held in Sandford's Field with accompanying Fete.
2004 Programme for the Donkey Derby, annual event held on August Bank Holiday and organised by the SPAJERS. Proceeds from this go to the senior citizens of Bampton and used to provide a monetary Christmas gift and possible summer outing. The Donkeys are ridden by children in races, which are sponsored by local businesses and bets are made on the winners. Held in Sandford's Field with accompanying Fete.
The Bampton Community Archive came into being in 2002, the brain child of Jo(sephine) Lewington ably assisted by Tony & Lis Page. A request was sent out for old photographs, documents etc and Tony and Jo plus
Booklet produced to commemorate 50 years of the Shirt Racer as part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, with a message from Don Rouse and details of how the Shirt Race came about in 1953. The booklet was printed by Margaret Johnson of Witney, and contains advertisements of local Shops and businesses.
Programme of village events planned for the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002 from 31st May to 4th June Includes Bell ringing in the Church, the SPAJERS 50th Shirt Race, Flower Festival, Art Exhibition, Garlands, Sports Day and Plant Sale. Commemorative Mugs and a Barn Dance in the Market Square
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.
One hundred pensioners were treated to a day out in Weymouth by The SPAJERS. A wonderful time was had by all. However, when the coaches were halfway home, it was realised that two passengers were missing! Mr. Don Rouse, Chairman of SPAJERS, phoned the police in Weymouth who conformed that the two ladies had reported in and then booked themselves in to an hotel. Next day, Mr. Rouse returned to Weymouth to retrieve the lost pensioners.
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.