This picture must have been taken some time between 1926 and 1938 because that was the period when Bertie Clark, seen here on the fiddle, played in Bampton.

They are dancing at the East end of the Market Square.

Colin Harold Bathe died on May 8th 2011 at the age of seventy three. His close friend David John Titchener, widely known as Curly, preceded him by just a few months dying at the age of seventy six on January 20th 2011. Both were well known in the area around their home town of Swindon for numerous activities relating to sports and motorised vehicles, but it is their involvement with traditional music, Morris dancing and song for which they will be remembered by Bampton people.

The article gives you far more information about these two men.

Between 1926 and 1938 Bertie Clark, although not a Bampton man, played for the Bampton Morris Men and he can be seen here on the left. The dancers are on the South side of the Market Square in front of Folly View semi-detached houses.

Each year, usually in November, the Bampton Traditional Morris Men had a party with singing and dancing and a lovely buffet. Swindon Folk Club members were invited along with a few other special friends associated with the side. These pictures were all take at their 1996 party in the Village Hall, Market Square

The Bampton Traditional Morris Men danced at Tickhill many times, invited by Bob West who took these photographs. This was their visit in 1985.

The Bampton Traditional Morris Men nearly always held their annual Morris Party in the Village Hall. These are pictures of their party and a session in the Horse Shoe. Photos by Bob West

Another of several visits by the Bampton Traditional Morris Men to dance at Tickhill, this time in 1993. Photographs by Bob West

Another much enjoyed visit by the Bampton Traditional Morris Men to Tickhill where music sessions were enjoyed as much as the dancing. Photographs by Bob West

Dave Rose is seen dancing outside the Talbot on May Bank Holiday Monday in 1980. Roy Shergold is fooling and a young
Shaun Mullis can be seen resting on a car.

Over the last 10 to 20 years, a group photograph of the Bampton Traditional Morris men has been taken at Grey Barn in Queen Street and this one was taken in 1997. The dancers, fool and cake carrier are

1. Francis Shergold – squire
2. Peter Mathias
3. John Grout
4. Martin Landray
5. Billy Main
6. Peter Peterson
7. Jamie Wheeler
8. David Townsend
9. Liam Main
10. Rod Stradling
11. Jason Blackwell
12. Martin Ferguson
13. Craig Godwin
14. John Shuker
15. Tony Daniels
16. Paul Townsend
17. Jasper Walsh
18. Bob West – cake and collecting box
19. Cyril Smith
20. Terry Rouse – fool
21. Ray Borrett
22. Frank Godwin