This article was written for the September 19th issue of the Witney Gazette. It reports that the O2 telecommunications mast near Bampton has been faulty since it was first reported on August 2nd 2018. There is huge frustration with it being faulty for well over a month and the lack of communication from O2. Much fore information in the article.

Frank Purslow was not only an excellent melodeon player, he taught many local people as well. He also had a wonderful catalogue of music gathered throughout his life. It was shocking to see it all put outside the gate of his house after his death for the bin men to pick up. A little was rescued but the vast majority was thrown away. The letter from Frank shown here was a follow-on from one sent the week before and the text will explain all.

Bampton has had a long history of playing cricket and Anna Pitt put on a wonderful, well researched exhibition on the subject in January/February 2019. The catalogue of the exhibition is still on sale. This is a double spread newspaper article about it that was in the Witney Gazette January 23rd 2019.

This picture was taken in the late 1950s or very early 1960s. The names of the people are all printed on the photograph and include
Tony Allam
John Marston
Vernon Cannons
Ted Harding
Geoff Wilson
Jim Sweetingham
Jim Barton
George Dafter
Chris Timms
Fred Mildenhall
Pete Allam
Harry Green
Cyril Smith
Micky Brooks, George Dafter’s nephew

A photograph of a Trojan Tourer 1924 model owned by Doug Read. Douglas Read OBE driving, passengers David Hunt, Bill Bullock, Geoff Hunt.

Dr Alan Cole was in the practice in Bampton for many years. In this picture you can see his on-call alarm in his top pocket.

This is the Bampton Directory published in 1993. It lists all the services, clubs, societies and organisations to be found in Bampton along with the contact details. Advertisers who support the publication are :-

Spar, grocery shop
Electric Vehicles
Farmhouse Hotel & Restaurant, Lew
Rouse Pianos, keyboard lessons, piano tuning, soloist available
Elephant & Castle Inn, plus accommodation
Steve Rees, plumbing & heating
Bampton Cars, short and long distances
Centre for complementary medicine
A Simmonds, bread, cakes, general groceries, toiletries, pet food
L A Wootton, visiting chiropodist
Martin Drew, chiropodist
Cancer Research Campaign
Girobank
Bampton Driving School
Day & Partners, veterinary surgeons
Hazel & Phil Shaw, B&B
Boarding Kennels
M H Thomas, building landscape gardens, fencing, supplier of cut flowers
A P Sykes, B F Sinson & Associates, Dental Surgeons
Emmies, newsagent, tobacconist, confectioner
A Garage Door Associates, supply, fit, automation, repairs etc
C L Baker, extensions, porches, conservatories, UPVC fascia & guttering
The Cotton Club, natural fabrics
Countryman Building Ltd., builders & property maintenance
Frank D Stanger, solicitor
N Woodley, building maintenance, extension, roofing, electrical, plumbing
Romany Inn, accommodation, restaurant
Andrew Bowman, master thatcher
Bubbles, dog grooming
McKenzie Brown, domestic & commercial heating, plumbing, electrical work
J Temple, hardware, DIY, fancy goods, toys
K J Mullis, plumbing and heating
P Lewis, electrician
R Cooper, builder, painter, carpentry, general repairs, dry stone walling
E Taylor & Son, funeral directors, Carterton & Witney
Health Matters, shop, homeopathic remedies, health foods, cosmetics, perfumes

This delightful Frog Prince was created by Jo Lewington.

Airman, Reg Smith, married Albert Radband's sister, Beryl Joan Radband.
He was the brother of twins Peggy and Dolly.
Godfather of Jamie Wheeler.
Marion Paintin said "Joan and Reg had two children Linda and Michael who married my sister Susan and they live at Brading on the Isle of Wight."
Lyn Dunsby said "Linda lives in Lowestoft. She keeps in touch with my mum (Ruth Wheeler.) Joan was my mum's friend but we always called her Aunty Beryl as that was her other name."

This is the funeral program from the church service for Constance Irene de Hamel. Constance did many things but is possibly best known for being a continuity announcer during WWII

There is a sound recording of Constance talking about her whole working life on YouTube at https://youtu.be/lnKzcJOBO8Q