These are a collection of records compiled by Lloyd Hughes Owens and cover many aspects of local life and people. 1247 local tithes; 1275 extract from Quo Warranto Roll concerning tenures; 1288 Bond of obligation to pay rent for Vicars' house; 1262 Grant of land in Chimney; 1307-8 Confirmation of the rights of the D & C to manorial privilege in Bampton; 1318 Composition concerning common pasture; 1308-19 Records in suit - depositions of witnesses etc - concerning the tithes of Standlake and concerning the burial of the people of Standlake in Bampton parish church; 1360 Judgement in a suit against the chaplain of Standlake; 1406 Memoranda about the burials of the people of Standlake and Herdwyck away from Bampton parish church; 1445 Copy of an earlier grant, exemplified by Edmund Lacy, bishop of Exeter by the Bishop of Lincoln of portions of the parish church of Bampton to the D & C of Exeter; mid 15th century Draft letter recommending Richard Daber as Vicar of Bampton; late 15th century Group of letters about the manor of Bampton, addressed to the bailiff of the manor; 1503-4 Reference to the rebuilding of the chancel of Bampton church; Repairs made in 1496 at a cost of £20 in the accounts spread over 20 years; late 15th century? Reference to a suit between the Earl of Shrewsbury and the D & C concerning common of pasture in Bampton; 1670 Certificate by Bishop of Oxford re William Hodge's resignation of the vicarage; 1691 Receipt by Mr Veysey for the court rolls of Bampton. There is much more information in this collection of papers.
The Friends of Saint Mary, Bampton as part of their fund raising have in recent years organised a series of two or three talks, one a month, in the springtime. Robin Shuckburgh was to talk on the Role of Wine in The Church but sadly, due to dreadful weather this had to be cancelled and it is hoped Robin can do this another year.
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.
This is the Service program for the Thanksgiving Service for Victory held in 1945. As the service sheet was printed in London it was probably a standard service to be held across the UK
On September 11th 2010 I spotted this large, white fungus growing on the lime trees outside the North side of St Mary's. I found it to be very hard, it was impossible to make a dent in it.
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.
Roger Barnes lived in Ducklington with his wife Margaret, instrumental in many Bampton bellringers learning to become method ringers. He was one of the top ringers in Oxfordshire and rang in the cathedral church and others in Oxford. He taught many young people in Ducklington to ring and to help those in Bampton. Margaret is also a ringer and continued to ring in Bampton and for several years has been vice tower captain alongside the captain, Dave Rose.
Summary of Bampton Vicars and Vicarages, dating from years 11th to late 14th century. supplied by Maggie Harris of Churchgate House. Vicars names mentioned: Godfrey de Lucy John D'Alencon John Fitz John Hugh De Ilchester Philip DeExeter Hugh De Scotthorn Roger De Bromyard Nicholas De Bampton Robert De Lucy Simon the Vicar Nicholas de Totnes William Pibcerna William de Coleshill Henry de Paris John dew Kar William de Bodmin Richard de Beeston Robert De Buckingham Richard de Exeter Robert Bythewall John De Serynton Thomas Chasteloun John Chame(or Chanie) John Brown Roger De Heulee William Elys Robert Richard De Braud hurst Robert Fleming William Wenrich Wiliam Belamyslond Roger Ford Thomas Dyer John Moore John Culmere John Pope Richard Moore William Woode Robert Ayington Thomas yonge Thomas Fyssher William Gawel William Hoper Richard Clerk Edmune Willesford John Southwode Richard Heynson John Lichfield John Dyer Edmund Crispin John Dagle Walter Wright William Leveson Thomas de Boulegh John Holrygg John Wydelond John Forde John Fyla William Dyer alias Cole Robert Holcot Thomas Hoye Richard Crispin Thomas Burton John Whyte John Dotyn Henry Dotyn John Arthur Francis Dirston Robert Hopar Richard Houghall (Hughol, Huffield) Hjohn Hynton John Chaplain John Loskyns Richatd Clerk John Simondes Walkelin William Pincerna