The outbreak of Coronavirus in 2020 has caused devastation to the way of life all around the world. New restrictions and advice were being given daily by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and two specialist advisers each day at 5pm from the week beginning Monday March 16th 2020.

It was announced during this week that all schools were to close but the pupils of key workers could still go to nominated schools to allow their parent to continue with his or her essential job. Also, pupils who would normally have free school meals would be able to go in order to have at least one square meal per day.

On Friday, the list of key workers was published and this article from the on-line Witney Gazette lists those key workers.

An instruction from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York this week said there would be no services until the risk of catching coronavirus has passed. Weddings can take place with a maximum of 5 people attending but that did not say if it was the bride and groom and the clergy plus two, or those 3 plus 5. Not helpful.

John Chipperfield usually has a page in the Witney Gazette where he recalls events in times past. This item recalls the time in 1978 when Susan Morris, pictured at the organ in Clanfield Church played for 10 hours taking turns with John White and John Goodrun. It was to accompany the Flower Festival in the church. Susan is still playing at Clanfield (2019)

In 1978 the vicar looked after both Bampton and Clanfield churches. By 1970, the vicar of the time lived in the vicarage in Bampton and was responsible for the churches not only of Clanfield and Bampton but Lew, Aston and Shifford as well.

This pathway is now grassed over, which is perhaps, a pity. It runs from the gate on the south side of St Mary's up to the Norman door.

Vera Elward aged 92 took a flight in a microlight to help raise money for the restoration of the beautiful pipe organ in St Mary The Virgin Church in Bampton. Vera ran the Sunday School for over 20 years and has always worked for the church

On February 17th 2016 work began to dismantle the old pipe organ in St Mary's. Douglas Clare, one of our two churchwardens in April 2019 wrote the following article for the May issue of Contact.

Junior Church seen in St Mary's on Goof Friday 1999 along with their leader Mrs Margaret Battersby.

This view of St Mary The Virgin Church was taken looking across Sandford Field, probably in the 1950s but could be ten years earlier.

These picture were taken in 2007 and show the electric motor which now drives the church clock. It used to be powered by weight and pendulum which had to be wound up twice a week along with the weight that drove the carillon.

The old carillon had to be turned off permanently in the end when too many pins on the drum had fallen out and simply would not stay in place when put back.

On Saturday April 18th 2015 the choir from St Mary The Virgin, Bampton went to Lichfield Cathedral to sing Sung Evensong. Choir master and conductor David New, organist on the day for the choir was John Ridgway.