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Shirt Race
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Cyril Smith 1933-1922 - Death Notice in the Witney Gazette

  • BCA - 2022.3886
  • Item
  • 2022

Order of Service for the funeral of Cyril Smith born on December 7th 1933. He lived in South Leigh, where his father was a farm hand. and then lived to Bampton. He played for Bampton Town Football and took part in the Shirt Race. He was one of the Bampton Traditional Morris Dancers, and worked for W J Lock & Son until they closed then continued to work as a builder until he was eighty. Married Margaret and had one son Christopher.

Janet Westman

Queen Elizabth II Jubilee Celebrations 2022

  • BCA - 2022.3963
  • Item
  • 2022

Advertisement detailing celebrations in the Village for the 70th Jubilee of the Queen. June 2nd - June 5th. Included the Shirt Race and Morris Dancing which usually took place on May Bank Holiday weekend. Organised by Parish Council

Janet Westman

Covid-19 diminished Morris Dancing & Garlands Spring Bank Holiday 2020

  • BCA - 2020.2383
  • Item
  • May 25th 2020

The pandemic of covid-19 affected every aspect of the lives of people all around the world and the fun over the whole Bank Holiday weekend in Bampton should have started with the Shirt Race on Saturday May 23rd which had to be cancelled and the day of Morris Dancing on Monday May 25th, which, as you will see below, just managed to maintain an unbroken tradition of 102 years. There would normally have been many spontaneous music sessions in our pubs as well but the pubs are closed because of the virus. There would also have been a competition to see which group of children could make the best flower garland and one family made sure there was a garland to be seen and it was place in the west porch of St Mary's church, because the church is locked because of the virus.

The last time there was no Morris Dancing at all at Whitsun in Bampton was 1918. The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, moved this bank holiday to the last Monday in May, following a trial period of this arrangement from 1965 to 1970.

Here in Bampton our dancers were determined not to have another year like 1918 and so three different pairs of dancers from squire Craig Godwin's side danced a jig, one in New Road, another outside Churchgate and the third one outside their headquarters of The Romany. A pair from Laurence Adams side danced outside the Church gates also. No times were published so a crowd did not gather.

Keith Chandler took the photographs and Jamie Wheeler posted the following on Memories of Bampton.

"In 1960 Bampton Morris didn't have a musician. Reg Hall came to the rescue. In 2020, 60 (yes 60!!) years later Bampton Morris didn't have a musician (albeit for very different reasons). Reg Hall came to the rescue. Let no-one ever doubt the debt we owe to Reg (and don't forget Rod Stradling either). Reg would, of course, be the first to admit that it is a double edged sword and that he has gained plenty from it too in the form of fun and friendship. Roy Shergold once said to me that he (Roy) had taken more out of the Morris than he had ever put in. I don't think that was particularly true of Roy. It certainly isn't of Reg. Thank you!!"

When Keith Chandler sent me these photographs he wrote the following:-

"There was some morris dancing today, and you could see it as long as you knew the when and where in advance. Two-man jigs only. Matthew Green didn't turn a set out at all. Craig Godwin's side did three stands, two dancers at the first (New Road), a different pair at second (Church Gates) and third (outside The Romany). Lawrence Adams' side did one stand only (Church Gates), himself and his son Jonathan. So, a handful of jigs as a token gesture to maintain continuity. The last time there was no public performance was 1918. Hopefully, things will be back to normal next year."

Bampton Community Archive

SPAJERS Correspondence relating to Shirt Race, Donkey Derby and Chariot Race

  • BCA - 2024.6858
  • Item
  • 1953-

Various letters, receipts and newspaper cuttings from the records of the SPAJERS. Poster advertising the exhibition in the Vesey Room, on 11 September 2011
The receipts from local businesses and Brewery, thank you letters from the pensioners, Entry Rules, Lists of winners, Newspaper cuttings from Oxford Mail and Gazette

Janet Westman

SPAJERS: list of winners of the Shirt Race 1953 to 2011

  • BCA - 2024.6872
  • Item
  • 1953

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,

Janet Westman

50th Shirt Race Booklet

  • BCA - 2024.6851
  • Item
  • 2002

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.

Janet Westman

Queens Golden Jubilee: Programme of Celebrations

  • BCA - 2024.6867
  • Item
  • 2002

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

Janet Westman

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