Edith Susan Quick nee Sheppard died on September 10th 2020. Edie came from a Bampton family of several generations. Her husband John was the principal founder member of the SPAJERS, our charity which creates fun events to raise funds for local senior citizens. They include the Shirt Race, Donkey Derby, Josie's Grand Draw and in conjunction with Bampton's fire brigade a wonderful bonfire and firework night. In the past there have been balls in Weald Manor.
The 46th Donkey Derby took place in 2015. The afternoon's fun is organised by the SPAJERS (Society for The Preservation of Ancient Junketing) to raise funds to treat Bampton's senior citizens and at the same time provide fun for everyone
The contestants in the Shirt Race are at The Lamb Inn in the Market Square. This Inn was known locally as The Tree because there was a very large Ash tree in the garden.
The cuttings are from the Standard, Times, & Echo dated Friday 1st June 1973. “Holiday festivities in Bampton”, “Bampton shirt race comes of age” and “Bampton Annual Fête” This cutting describes the race and states it is in the 21st year. Harry Hampton and George Hunt , the winners of the first races in 1952/53 were the judges. Paul Bovington relayed the information. Junior class winners were Neil Hitchins and Darryl Hirons, and Adult Winners: Michael Bradley and Geofrey Lane from Black Bourton. Junior Race: 1st -Anthony Collett Andrew Bathe, 2nd - Malcolm Walker and Kevin Paintin, 3rd - Clive Tanner and Valerie Adams Senior Race: 1st Richard Snook and Mickey Smith, 2nd - Richard Buckingham and Darryl Hirons 3rd - Gordon Walker and David Pearce.
Photo of John Quick, founder of the SPAJERS, pushing the gasworks pram in the shirt race, and a link to Short film by Roy Barratt of Life in Bampton in Oxfordshire recorded by Roy Barratt during the early 1960s. General views and events in Bampton ending with a short time on Church Green in Witney. Town Hall windows are bricked up, there are few cars about and the Elephant & Castle, Malt Shovel, Eagle and George & Dragon pubs were still open. https://youtu.be/fldMqNA41NY
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
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.
2022 Programme and a variety of photos showing donkeys before saddles were used, and some senior citizens enjoying the teas. Roy Shergold, Ann Shergold, Rita Govier. Ralph and Primrose Seacole, Mrs Clarke, Joan Pearce, Mr and Mrs Taylor, Freda Bradley, Mrs Elward, Miss Hobbs SPAJERS COMMITTEE Andrew Money Chairman Simon Chatterton Vice Chairman lan Watson Treasurer Michael Fallon Secretary Julia Williams Social Media and communications Don Rouse Advertising and PR Nick Rivett Committee Member Mike Dunbar Committee Member Josie Buckingham Committee Member Ollie Weaver Committee Member Connor Mcclure Committee Member Toby Perry Committee