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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
Bampton Community Archive
The Shirt Race run on May 28th 2016 was very well attended by both competitors and the crowd. The amount of effort the competitors went to was remarkable and the races for the youngsters and the adults was started led by The Stig.
Bampton Community Archive
Thieves steal four marquees from SPAJERS
Witney Gazette, 2017
THIEVES stole £3,400 worth of marquees from a village charity group - less than a week before they were due to be used for an event. The four marquees, which cost about £850 each, were stolen from a barn outside of Bampton on Monday night, just days before they were due to be used for a vicar's send off on Saturday. They were stored there by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing (SPAJERS), a charity which organises popular quirky event to raise funds for the village’s elderly residents. Eighty-year-old Don Rouse, who has organised events and been involved with the charity for several decades, said:
“When you mention SPAJERS Bampton people put their hands in their pocket. The whole embodiment of Bampton is in SPAJERS. It is a shame. We all work for the good of Bampton so when something like this happens it’s gut wrenching. But nothing will stop SPAJERS and Bampton. The community spirit here is incredible. We’ve already ordered two new ones and hopefully they’re on their way.”
The thieves used bolt cutters to gain access to the barn, on a lane off Mount Owen Road, and a trailer stored inside to get to the marquees. They were due to be used on Saturday as villagers get together to bid farewell to The Rev David Lloyd, who is retiring after 21 years of serving parishes in the area. The event will get under way on the Buckland Road sports field at 3pm.
SPAJERS holds a number of popular events throughout the year, including the Bampton Shirt Race and the Donkey Derby.
Nik Stanbridge
The SPAJERS once again held the Donkey Derby on August Bank Holiday Monday 2018. Many village clubs and societies have stalls in the field and there is a wonderful tea tent.
Bampton Community Archive
Death of Edith Susan Quick nee Sheppard Sept 10th 2020
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.
Bampton Community Archive
Covid-19 diminished Morris Dancing & Garlands Spring Bank Holiday 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
49 photos of The Donkey Derby held in Sandford Field, August bank holiday 2021
Master of ceremonies was Don Rouse and village communities had various stall, the Donkeys are jockeyed by children with parental consent.
Stalls included
Bampton Belles WI Cake stall
Splat the rat
Guess my name
Shopping Village
Face painting
Jo Lewingtons garden pottery
Buckingham Christmas time
Sue Stanbridge Stamps
Needle Felt
Tombola
Janet Westman
Anne Shergold, Penny Danniels and Theresa Dora Townsend in school kitchen
Ann Shergold, Penny Daniels and Dora Townsend cooking a S.P.A.J.E.R.S. dinner
Nik Stanbridge
2021 Donkey Derby held in Sandfords field on August Bank Holiday Monday ecery year. The event is accompanied by a fete and is well attended. The donkeys are ridden by children and the races are sponsored by local businesses. and there was a raffle with prizes given by Majestic Wine, Patrick Strange Butchers, Blenheim Palace, Crocodiles of the World, Bampton Garden Plants The Shake Shop Aston Pottery, Cotswold Wildlife Park. 50 Photos showing participating attractions and visitors.
Janet Westman