Together with Paul Bovington, John Quick founded SPAJERS in 1953 as a 'one-off event ' to celebrate the Queen's coronation. Following the passing of John, a flowering cherry tree was planted in his memory in the grounds of the War Memorial. In the photos can be seen Edie, John's widow, together with his son Kenny. Also representing the SPAJERS are Don Rouse and Frank Hudson.

Photos of the Shirt Race in 2024, Copy of programme and 34 photographs showing the amazing fancy dress and the crowds enjoying the event, which happens every year on Whit Saturday and is organised by the SPAJERS.

Newspaper article about the cancellation of 2023 Shirt Race, which had been one of Oxfordshire’s most popular social events was cancelled in 2023 , The historic Great Shirt Race at Bampton, organised by the Spajers (the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing) - has delighted hundreds of people annually for seven decades. Cancelled because three committee members had resigned. Don Rouse, one of the organisers still in post, was Master of Ceremonies at this race since 1970.
The modern version began in 1953 when village gasman John Quick, farmer Doug Read and fishmonger Paul Bevington dreamed up the idea of a pram race through the streets to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation.

Article in Witney Gazette May 29th 2019 about Shirt race and donkey derby 2019 and Local Newspaper Cuttings