The attendant at the back on the rigt is Sally Ellis. It's possible that the attedant on the left is Faye Fairclough (Smith).The picture is taken in front of The Elephant and Castle pub in Bridge Street. The building dates from the 17th century with alterations in the 19th century and in the 1960's. It seems to have been a public house for most of its life but it closed at some point in or after 2000 and is now a private house. It had a thatched roof until 1958 when a firework, let off some weeks before the 5th November, struck the roof and started a fire.

Mr & Mrs Harry Sollis owned and ran the Swan Inn in Buckland road for many years. In the last few years, Mrs Sollis ran it as a widow. Emmie Papworth, nee Bishop was a relative and adored Mrs Sollis; Emmie is seen with her in two of these pictures and her son Tom is with them in one of them. Mrs Sollis eventually sold The Swan by auction October 1st 1964; it was bought by Tim Tomlins.

List of winners of the Shirt race from 1953-2011, namely: Harry Hampton and George Hunt, Cyril Smith and Robert Radband, Thorarian Benediks and John Wixey, Franks Smith, Rodney Adams, Frank Hudson, Jim Townsend, Mikey Smith, Richard Snook, John Fox ,Frank Piercy, Anthony Collett, Bryan Withers, Richard Buckingham Gary Barber, Stephen Radband, Thomas Cole, Martin Wheeler, Michael Beckett, G Kane, Craig Godwin, D Lawrence, K Curtis, George Blackwell, S Preston, G Clack, D Beckett, G Benfield, Deane Barber, Andrew Bridgeman, T Perry, A Gardner J. Shuker Jr, S Godfrey, W Money, M Green, Jacob Booty Richard Stephens,

43 assorted photographs from Shirt Race and Donkey Derby taken over the years, showing how the people of Bampton have enjoyed these events since 1953.

This picture shows children in fancy dress as part of the fete, probably 1954, which took place mostly at Weald Manor although this picture is taken outside the Town Hall.

This newspaper cutting from the Oxford Mail of 1955 covers the 3rd Great Shirt Race to be held in Bampton, the first one being part of the celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Long before the days when everyone had a TV and many IT toys and gadgets, the WI Christmas Party was much enjoyed my many children. This group photo was taken 1956 at a Christmas party given by the WI.

Emmie (Emily) Papworth, nee Bishop and her son Tom.

This is a newspaper article written by S.P.B.Mais, following a visit to some Oxfordshire village inns. The Elephant and Castle in Bridge Street; The Malt Shovel in Lavender Square; The Horse and Groom in Black Bourton (now The Vines) and The Plough at Alvescot are all mentioned. The writer says by far the most interesting character was 85 year-old Mr. John Kent of The Malt Shovel, Lavender Square, Bampton. At that time Mr Kent had been landlord for 34 years and had an abundance of fascinating stories to tell.