Set of Letters and correspondence relating to the SPAJERS including from Parish Council re: plans to Celebrations for the Queens Jubilee in 1953 Asking for donations to supply Coronation Mugs, floodlighting, supper and film show provision of commemorative seat and trees and proposing the start of the Shirt race, now held annually. Mostly dated 1950’s
Letter from Balmoral to the SPAJERS from Queen’s lady in waiting, and some letters from grateful recipients of the Christmas gift supplied from the proceeds of the collection at the Shirt race.
Letters from Morland and Clinch Breweries donating ale for the race, and various invoices and correspondence from contributors to the event.
Names of the runners 1958: R. G. Adams and. Partner, Buckland. . D. Green, and Mrs. P. Gates. . J. Hunt and R. Kew. . R. Radband and Mr C. Smith. . K. Long and. F. Hudson. Bob Ody, and K. Lomas. . Phil Martin and.B. Killick. . J. Wixey and Mr. 0. Benedixt. Quentin Gray and Barrie Cripps. . Mike Radband. and Joe Buckingham. . Jack Lawrence and Mr. Ron Smith, Great Milton. . John Maclean and Mr. Tom Sallis . W. Smith and E. Jackson. J. Quick and Mr. W. Lomas. . G. Dafter and Mr. T Bradley. C. Weeks and. J. Court. . A. Radband and R. Wixey. . Son Townsend. and. Perc. Radband, . J. Townsend. and. Mansell John. . Peter Horne and R. Skittral

43 assorted photographs from Shirt Race and Donkey Derby taken over the years, showing how the people of Bampton have enjoyed these events since 1953.

Collection of SPAJERS dance tickets from 1958 and 1960 and 1970. for Shirt Race Ball held at Weald Manor and WI Hall.
Featuring Frantic Fred and his Fantastic Foursome, his Family and his Frolics. Fabulous Butch Quartz (who was Fred's son) and his Four Pintz, Profit was used to promote the Shirt Race

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.

Bampton always has a weekend filled with fun and laughter over the late May Bank Holiday. These cuttings talk about the Shirt Race and the Morris Dancing.
In one of the cuttings you can also read about

1. An exhibition of Arts and Crafts in the Town Hall
2. Cancer Research Bampton branch raising funds
3. The Community Fete organised by the Royal British Legion in the afternoon of Bank Holiday Monday
4. The Pumpkin Club which held a Tramps' Supper in the Cotswold Hotel on the Saturday night after the Shirt Race

The Great Shirt Race takes place on the Saturday before the late May Bank Holiday. The winners in this year were Anthony Collett and partner Richard Buckingham. Neither of them can be sure of the year, they won more than once but it will be 1978, 1979 or 1980.