RECORD
NO.
LT 395
SERIES
TITLE
People and
Places
Abingdon,
River
Thames
LT 396
People and
Places
LT 397
People and
Places
LT 398
People and
Places
CONTENT
John Simpson interviews people who work and play on
the River Thames at Abingdon. 1) Lock Keeper Derek
Bloomfield talks about his work. 2) Matron Joyce Tribe
talks about Long Alley Almshouses. 3) Freddie Watts,
resident, Brick Alley Almshouses about his life and
wartime flying and driving experiences based at RAF
Abingdon. 4) Peter Egerton, Abingdon Boat Centre, talks
about the boat centre and the bridges. 5) David Bridge
manager of the Abbey Meadow open air swimming pool.
6) Ted Jarman, 85, a member of the Abbey Sailing Club
who still sails a single hander boat.
Great Tew
John Simpson visits Great Tew and talks to some of the
residents. 1) James Johnston, estate manager, history of
the estate, houses, farming. 2) Mrs. Beryl Goodall who
runs the village store and post office. 3) Beryl and Harold
Pratt, live in the 4) John Milligan, landlord of the Falkland
Arms, talks about the pub, sells clay pipes filled with
tobacco. 5) Tom Varlett, head of Great Tew County
Primary School, problems of lack of public transport, the
school building. 6) Betty Burchell, born Great Tew,
changes in the village, recites poem 'Song of a Country
Lass' which she wrote.
Bampton
John Simpson visits Bampton and talks to some of the
residents. 1) Sarah Wearne talks about Bampton Castle
and the history of Bampton. (5'46) 2) George Wheeler,
worked at RAF Brize Norton, then at Bampton Railway
Station, remembers raids on (5'45) 3) Judith Warwick,
West Oxfordshire Arts Association which exhibits in the
Town Hall. (5'45) 4) Arnold Woodward and Sunny
Townsend, morris dancing, horse fair. (8'59) 5) Major
Robert and Rosemary Colville, changes in the village,
customs. 6) John Parrish, churchwarden, the church.
Abingdon
John Simpson talks to people who live in the Abingdon
Road, Oxford Road area of Oxford. 1) Stan Revell, lived in area all his
INTERVIEWER
Simpson, John
DATE
BROADCAST
27.7.1985
Simpson, John
3.8.1985
Simpson, John
10.8.1985
Simpson, John
8.1985
LT 399
People and
Places
Wendover
LT 400
People and
Places
Marcham
LT 401
People and
Places
Middleton
Cheney
life, took over his father's butchers shop, other family
businesses, involved with scouts for 30 years. (7'16). 2)
Barbara Wilson, psychologist at Rivermead Rehabilitation
Centre, work of the centre and staff. (7'50). 3) Norman
Cofield, groundsman for Brazenose College. (7'41). 4)
Gordon Woodward, former Lord Mayor of Oxford, lived
in area 35 years, talks about Abingdon Rd and increase of
traffic. (7'10). 5) Ginny Scholes, aged 92, lived in Western
Road 57 yrs. Boarded undergraduates for many years.
(6'18). 6) John Shepherd, secretary Oxford City Football
Club, talks about the club. (6'41).
John Simpson talks to some of the inhabitants of
Simpson, John
Wendover, Bucks. 1) Tony Mogford, Bank Farm, by-pass,
effects on village. (7'17). 2) Tom Getley, Wendover
Centre, community centre. (7'29). 3) Daphne Symonds,
part time postlady, and Kay Weller Bond, of parish
council. (6'48) 4) Yvonne McDonald, assistant
housekeeper at Abbeyfield, sheltered accommodation.
(5'00). 5) Ken Timbury, dairy farmer, chairman Chiltern
Hills Agricultural Association, farming and the
countryside, Jersey herd. (9'22). 6) Howe, aged 70,
journalist, local tornado, history, old village hall known as
'the old sweat box'. (9'39)
John Simpson talks to some of the inhabitants of
Simpson, John
Marcham. 1) Peter Holmes, blacksmith, talks about his
work and the village. (local accent) (7'03). 2) Agnes
Salter, National Chairman of WI, Denman College,
courses held. (6'42). 3) Rev. David church, village
community. (6'30). 4) Nellie Gosling, caretaker of Church
Institute hall, talks about the building. (6'30). 5) Bernard
Higgins, village shop. (5'40). 6) William Cumber, farmer,
Manor Farm, chairman of parish council, grandfather out
Shire stallions, BMX track, village. (6'20).
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live in
Simpson, John
Middleton Cheney. 1) Jean Green, upper and lower parts
of the village. (6'04). 2) Len Jerrams, who has written a
8.1985
8.1985
9.1985
LT 402
People and
Places
Ickford
LT 403
People and
Places
Goring
LT 404
People and
Places
Bloxham
local history book, village memories, brass bands and
quoit beds. (7'37). 3) Len headmaster Middleton Cheney
County Primary School. (6'26). 4) Mrs. Dorothy Waters,
lived in village for 62 yrs, worked with the Red Cross,
nominated to receive Royal Maundy money. (7'05). 5)
Tom Bonham. former stone mason, worked with
Middleton and stone. (6'45) 6) Cliff and Joyce Christie,
naturalists, hospital for sick birds and animals. (8'21).
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live in
Ickford. 1) Alec Neill, beef farmer, Peacehaven Farm.
(6'47). 2) Harry Bunce, local history. (6'25). 3) Mrs.
Elizabeth Shaw, chairman of parish council, talks about
her thatched cottage and the (6'27). 4) Ron and Violet
Cherry, landlords of Royal Oak ph. Pub games,
customers, pub library. (5'31). 5) Mrs. Olive Barton,
village stores and PO for 30 years, flooding. (5'53). 6)
Molly Ingham, lives on a small holding.
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live in
Goring. 1) Norman Radley, chairman of the parish
council, housing, traffic, village activities. (9'46). 2) Jim
Thomas, best kept village, chairman of very active
Twinning Association. (8'00) 3) Woodward, day centre
for the elderly which is held in the old school. (8'26). 4)
Michael Napper, family grocer's shop. (4'51). 6) Gillian
Norton, matron of nursing home. (5'35). 7) Eleanor
Simpson, founder member Goring and Streatley Local
History (7'30).
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live in
Bloxham. 1) Rev. Edward Condrey, talking from half way
up the church tower, has lived in Bloxham only 3 months.
(6'20) 2) Margaret Griffin, WI market. (4'50). 3) Michael
Vallance, headmaster, All School. (7'47) 4) Yvonne
Huntress, vice-chairman Bloxham Village Museum,
origins and collection. (10') 5) Bert Dancey, butcher's
shop, Jubilee Park (6'32) 6) John (Jack) Mawle, one of the
older inhabitants, talks about his life in the village, work a
Simpson, John
9.1985
Simpson, John
9.1985
Simpson, John
28.9.1985
LT 405
People and
Places
Upper
Heyford
LT 406
People and
Places
Tetsworth
LT 407
People and
Places
Wendlebury
farm, father looked after the gas works. (10'08)
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live in
Simpson, John
Upper Heyford. 1) George Grey, 14 yrs clerk to parish
council, noise from aircraft, golf, football referee. (8'13)
2) Peggy Cuss, leader of The Warriners - over 60's club,
links with NCO Wives at the USAF base, organizes
mystery trips. (6'20) 3) Marion and Leslie Hedges,
assistant organist and secretary/treasurer to the church.
British Legion. (7'30) 4) Kevin Buxey, Leys Caravan Site,
car repairs, flower show (7'00) 5) Paddy Quinn, of parish
council, manager of local football club, battle for village
school, commemorative stone - link between Royal Air
Force and village (8'19) 6) Bill Edmunds, aged 80, lived
all his life in the village. RAF base, early aircraft. (8'00)
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live in
Simpson, John
Tetsworth. 1) Ron Crockett, blacksmith, talks about his
trade, done work for several university buildings. Mark
Crockett who works with his father. (7'33) 2) Stephen
Payne, looks after cricket (6'55) 3) Stan Lindars, 82,
worked at Pressed Steel for 40 yrs, changes in the village.
(8'18) 4) Paul Sellwood, Jackie Moore, Explorers at the
village hall. Heather Moore, runs the Explorers, a church
based group for under elevens. Also runs the office. (5'03)
5) Arthur Vinden, ran village shop for 53 yrs, remembers
rationing. (7'05) 6) Bill Stokes, dairy farmer, vicechairman parish council, village community, proposed
gypsy caravan site. (7'54).
John Simpson talks to some of the people of Wendlebury. Simpson, John
1) Mrs. Florence Lapper, mixed farming (5'25) 2) George
and Cicely Dumbleton, carpenters and joiners shop. (6'46)
3) Frank Shouler, farmer, Elm Tree Farm , Young
Farmers Assoc.(8'00) 4) Bill recently celebrated golden
wedding. (7'28) 5) Vic Jones, landlord of The Red Lion ph
talks about recent renovations, and the menagerie
inherited from the previous landlord, attracting customers.
(6'58) 6) Brig. Gordon Newark, chairman of parish talks
5.10.1985
12.10.1985
19.10.1985
LT 408
People and
Places
Little
Barrington
LT 409
People and
Places
Horsefair,
Banbury
LT 410
People and
Places
Upton
about his house which was derelict when he bought it,
village in general, parish council, motorway. (7'06)
John Simpson talks to some of the residents of Little
Simpson, John
Barrington, Gloucestershire 1) Basil and Jessie Harvey,
talk about the village, the traffic, interest in model steam
engines, local building stone (8'50) 2) Rev. Colin
McCartor, vicar, talks the church (8'13) 3) Alice Williams,
lived in village all her life, owned village shop until 1959,
changes in the village, animals on the green (6'45) 4) Jim
Lazenby, works in the garage, talks about his grandfather
who was headmaster of the school started the Working
Man's Society. Mentions primrose day, walnut picking
day. (9'37) 5) Jane Mills, Barrington Grove, runs a group
of Riding for the Disabled. (7'45) 6) Eileen Smith, works
in the pub. (5'19)
John Simpson talks to people whose activities are based in Simpson, John
The Horsefair, Banbury. 1) Sarah Gosling, curator of the
Banbury Museum, talks about the horse fair for which the
area was named, Banbury Cross and other buildings in the
area, and the traffic. (6'56) 2) Bruno Manca, manager of
the Whately Hall Hotel, talks about the hotel and its
clientel (6'40) 3) Celia Claridge, church office secrtary,
Banbury Baptist Church Centre, explains about the
building, and the various activities held (7'26) 4) Ian
McConnell, partner in Saville's estate agency, talks about
the business and reasons for choosing Banbury. (7'34) 5)
Robin Hillman, manager of Classic cinema, talks about
the cinema and work as a projectionist. (7'28) 6) Rev. Ron
vicar of Banbury and team rector, talks about the parish
church St. Mary's, a rather uninspiring building on the
outside but beautiful inside.
Interviews with (1) Audrey Stone, chairman of the parish
Simpson, John
council, about the village of Upton and the parish council
responsibilities. (2) Stan Lynch, Upton Fruit Farm, about
running a small fruit farm - mainly apples. (3) Guy
Napper, retired talks about farming, the great fire of
26.10.1985
2.11.1985
9.11.1985
LT 411
People and
Places
Hailey
LT 412
People and
Places
Horspath
Upton which started in a barn in Pound Lane when he was
16, and the ballroom he's built in an old storeroom. (4)
Gwen Greenough, an elderly resident who makes corn
dollies, and presses flowers for cards and talks about her
life in the village. (5) Monica Rowbotham, churchwarden,
who talks about the church, and life in the village. (6)
Mrs. Elizabeth Radway, daughter of a head shepherd, who
talks about shepherding in the village and the shepherd's
which was donated to a bishop in Singapore.
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live in
Simpson, John
Hailey 1) Michael Drew, farmer, who has lived in Hailey
7 yrs. Specializes in vegetables - has a farm shop, supplies
local shops - and straw for thatching. Chairman of Friends
of Hailey Church. 2) Peggy Pratley, chairman parish
council, best kept village award. People and work
involved in winning. Development of and traffic through
village. (6'38) 3) Fred Buckingham, 72 yrs old, lived in
village all his life except for 24 yrs in Navy. about the
school, praises the schoolmaster, career in Navy (10'03).
4) George Thornett, butcher's shop, tells how he started in
the business, killing pigs raised by villagers, rationing.
(9'23) 5) Margaret Colley, churchwarden, whose house
was once pub, The Carpenter's Arms. Talks about the
names Poffley End and Delly End.(4'47) 6) Jack Fisher,
Fisher and Townsend builders, talks about the start of the
family business, cricket, football. (5'10) 7) Jean Scothern,
school governor, talks about school, WI, meals on wheels.
(6'54)
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live in
Simpson, John
Horspath 1) Bob Walker, Manor Farm, president of
cricket club, mixed farming beef and corn, involvement in
village activities. (7'35) 2) Esme Shorter, churchwarden,
organist, potter. Talks about church organ, work as a
potter. (6'24) 3) Norman Bowley, chairman of parish
council for 25 years, open space Bowley Ground named
for him. Need to keep Horspath a village. Bought land and
16.11.1985
23.11.1985
LT 413
People and
Places
Middleton
Stoney
LT 414
People and
Places
Sutton
Courtenay
lived in Nissen Hut until he could get planning permission
to (7'30) 4) 'Jiggy' Coppock, born in Horspath, involved
with village cricket and football, old railway tunnel. (7'03)
5) Shirley Woodcock, involved with the 32nd Oxford
Horspath Scout Band, recently won a national
championship for the second time. 6) Greta Beckhelling,
teacher at the village school, talks about the school and
her enjoyment working there. (8'04)
John Simpson meets some of the residents of Middleton
Stoney. 1) Donald Livingston, owner of The Jersey Arms
for 6 months. Offers en-suite accommodation. Many
customers from Upper Heyford air base and their visiting
families. Tells of ghosts seen by others. (6'00) 2) Derek
Blake, manager of education centre which runs courses as
a bridge between 6th form and university, also industry
courses. Social aspects of the centre. (9'18) 3) Brig. Peter
Goozee, church warden, editor of parish and fund raiser.
Also discusses need for motorway and gliding, which he
teaches. (9'26) 4) Ted Benjamin, chairman of village hall
committee, member of parish council, changes in the
village, traffic, used to be a road inspector. (8'34) 5)
Elizabeth district and county councillor, lives in old stable
block Middleton Park, no longer a school or shop in
village, interest in politics stems from course held to teach
women about politics. (7'30) 6) Hilda Woodley, talks
about her time as cook in the during the war, after leaving
army came to village as housekeeper for Mr. Horton at
Middleton Stoney House. Helps raise money for the
Evergreen Club by making jam.
John Simpson meets some of the residents of Sutton
Courtenay. 1) Roy Davies, editor of Sutton Courtenay
News, talks about the newsletter and his old cottage.
(7'36) 2) Ted Whitehead, lived in village nearly 80 yrs.
Talks about the Asquith family lived opposite him, and
mentions the paper mill. Went to Culham College School,
talks about walking to school. (8'06) 3) Rosemary Allen,
Simpson, John
30.11.1985
Simpson, John
12.1985
farmer's wife, secretary to parochial church council, talks
about farming, George Orwell buried in churchyard,
charities. (7'48) 4) Stuart Walton, champion sausage
maker, talks about his butcher's shop, Christmas period.
(6'56) 5) Nancy Vincent, Southfield Farm, most of it built
circa 1450. Talks about the old buildings around the
village which she mentions the paper mill, the Norman
Hall, Swift Ditch and its Bridge. How she came to live in
Sutton Courtenay after retiring from the colonial service.
(8'45) 6) Reg Morris, lived in village 60 yrs., talks about
his business as antique restorer dealer and his interest in
fine wood. (9'22)
LT 415
LT 416
LT 417
People and
Places
People and
Places
Compilation
People and
Places
Pendon
Museum,
Chearsley
12.1985
John Simpson meets some of the residents of Chearsley,
Simpson, John
Bucks. 1) Ted Hooton, interested in village history, made
photographic record of everything that happened in
village during year of 1980, mentions old footpath to
Ashenden. (7'56) 2) Kathleen church organist, the church
organ, history of the house she lives in - once The Boot
ph., mother's activities in the village during the war. (7'11)
3) Michael Heybrook, farmer, Manor Farm. Talks about
the unusual tiled wall (once thatched) on the farming, tugo'-war and other activities, village hall, chairman of parish
council - tree planting. 4) Mary Norton, village school
secretary, talks about her work, school dinners arrive
during conversation. (5'31) 5) Ted Cox, lived in village
most his life, worked with the horses on Manor and Grove
farm, ploughed with a pair of horses, left to work on
railway when put to work with cattle. Worked for railway
42 years, talks about the Princes Risborough line. (7'56) 6)
Bill Slatter, lived in 43 years, changes in village, need for
a playing field, tug-o'war, increase in traffic, working on
the road. (9'14)
John Simpson visits Pendon Museum, Long Wittenham,
Simpson, John
and talks to some of the people who make models for its
21.12.1985
28.12.1985
Long
Wittenham
LT 418
People and
Places
Stanton
Harcourt
showpiece - the unfinished, 68 ft, very detailed model of
the VoWH area as it was in the 1930s- and its founder.
Their contributions, how got involved, the research and
attention to detail needed. 1) Howard Fuller, landscape
modeller, describes the model (8'14) 2) Stephen Williams,
buildings. 3) Austin Attewell, talks about the model of the
fictitious Dartmoor railway branch line housed in the
museum. 4) Chris Pilton, who has journeyed from
Lincolnshire to bring a new model of an Elizabethan
building he has just completed. 5) Carolynn Jewel, helps
in the shop. (5'37) 6) Roye England, founder, tells how it
all started. Began model in 1931. (9'15)
John Simpson visits Stanton Harcourt and meets some of
the people who live there. 1) John Faulkner, chairman of
parish council, village activities, traffic generated by
gravel workings, rubbish tip, industrial estate. Roads
needing resurfacing. 2) Kath Uzzell, involvement in the
village, community fund raised to help organisations in
the village. Campaigned against way gravel was extracted
- resulting in by-pass. (7'51) 3) Ann Gascoigne, member
of the Harcourt family which has been here 37
generations. Talks about Pope's Tower, Alexander Pope
spent 2 summers here in 1700s translating Homer's Ilyad,
the medieval kitchen which has no chimney (7'24) 4)
Charles Eatwell, left farming to work in the gravel
industry, digging out the Started school aged 7, left aged
12. Organised flower show, is involved in village
activities and was clerk to parish council. (8'09) 5) Les
Eden, called up in 1939, wounded in 1944. Show
secretary of Windrush Horticultural Society, is a keen
grows vegetables. Caretaker of local cemetery, standard
bearer for Dunkirk Veterans. Beater for game shoots.
(7'07) 6) Doug Burden, gravel extraction, Stanton
Harcourt once famous for violets, family grew them
commercially. Teacher at Bartholomew Eynsham. 7) Pat
Burden, teaches at Stanton Harcourt School, plays organ
Simpson, John
4.1.1986
LT 418a
People and
Places
South
Newington
LT 419
People and
Places
Stadhampton
at parish church. Enjoys village life.
John Simpson visits South Newington and talks to some
Simpson, John
of the people who live there. Introduction and history.
(2'45)
1) Joyce Ayden talks about the village hall, the playgroup
held there three mornings a week, the village. (7'30)
2) Mrs Edith born in the village, talks about the changes
she has seen. Worked in service in London, in a pub in the
village. Fire at the vicarage c.1912. (5'45)
3) Aubrey Charles, talks about renovating the row of
cottages where he lives. Changes in the seen now.
Josephine Charles, talks about the paper round they had.
(8'15)
4) Julian Barbour, outstanding medieval wall paintings in
the church c.1340., why the playing area is called the Pole
Axe. (8'30)
5) Mrs 'Mac' Grundy, designed, planned planted her
beautiful garden. Gives gardening talks to various
societies, involved with WI. Produces plants for the Royal
Show, Bloxham WI Market. Flower Show. Helped
redecorate the village hall. (8'14)
6) Hugh Colvin, tree planting around David farm and
other areas, has helped to plant about 15,000 trees. Potter made flowerpots as a living, now makes architectural
models of stately homes etc. most of which are exported
to USA. Occasionally makes fantasy buildings which
couldn't exist. (8'19)
John Simpson talks to some of the residents of
Simpson, John
Stadhampton.
1) Diane Howe, chairman of PTA, talks about her
involvement with the PTA, and the charity Action
Research for the Crippled Child for which she is county
organiser and supervises and recruiting. (7'46)
2) David Watts, farmer, Church Farm. Family farmed here
since 1937, was dairy now beef and cereals. Has planted
200 - 300 trees in the last few years. President of the
11.1.1986
18.1.1986
LT 420
People and
Places
Charlton-onOtmoor
Young Farmers Club. (7'56)
3) George Nicholls, talks about the birdlife - especially
rooks, the old saw pit and the timber cut there. Fishing as
a youth. (7'48)
4) Nan Saw, born 1903, lived in Stadhampton all her life,
talks about her schooldays, watch given for perfect
attendance. army marching through the village, stopping
on the green. Cattle and horses on the green. Ascott Park.
Husband used to dairy farm and she delivered the milk
round the village. May 1936 mystery of undergraduate
burnt to death, Scotland Yard called caused quite a
commotion, open verdict. (9'34)
5) Lance Foster, chairman of Stadhampton Community
Association, set up to enable beer to be sold at club held
in school hall - legal requirement. Since set up swings for
children, organised bonfires, equipment for hall.
Advantages of using school as a community centre. (7'17)
6) Alan Miles, chairman of football club, football played
on the green. Training to be lay reader, assists vicar with
services and in parish. Keeps goats for milking, pigs,
grows vegetables.
John Simpson talks to some of the residents of Charltonon-Otmoor.
1) Mrs. Bessie Coulthard talks about her schooldays,
trained as teacher, came back to Charlton as headmistress
in 1951. Flower and vegetable shows, dances in the
school, people not interested in the old entertainments and
country ways. Fires outside for cooking after spring
cleaning to keep house clean. Changes in village.
2) Kate North, involved in fund raising to improve village
hall (an old building) and possibly to a new hall.
3) Gordon Holder, has run Charlton-on-Otmoor Services
(bus service) since 1955, talks about the service he
provides.
4) Annie Miller, aged 89, remembers the ringing of the
curfew bell which ended during the war, and the black
Simpson, John
25.1.1986
LT 421
People and
Places
Ock Street,
Abingdon
LT 422
People and
Places
Marsh
Gibbon
water Ran the village shop for 20 years, dinners cooked at
the bakehouse.
5) Bob Markham, restorer of traction engines, some of
which are quite rare, talks about the restoration process.
6) Bert Jakes, aged 85, talks about the moor when he was
a boy, in the winter, mother once skated to Oxford.
Mother and wife used to make rush mats. Used to ring
curfew bell.
John Simpson talks to some of the people who live and
work in Ock Street, Abingdon. 1) Kieran O'Keefe and
Norman Bragg, firemen. Talk about the fire station, Ock
Street, and some of the fires they have been called out to.
2) Peter Pratt, runs an business, re-covers old furniture in
the traditional manner. Talks about methods and
materials. 3) Sarah Taylor, has lived in Ock Street 55
years. Worked as a cleaner, talks about the street as it was
years ago. 4) Michael Harris, monumental business,
gravestone carving, marble fireplaces . Business been
there since Victorian times, has changed hands several
times, still has some of old tools - explains some of them.
5) Mervyn Beadle, Beadle's (ironmongers). Tries to keep
to the way of selling, eg. supplying loose nails rather than
packets. Shop here since 1836, his father started in 1951.
Still a family business, he's joined by 3 brothers and his
son. Member of the Casualties Union (act as casualties as
teaching aid for aiders to practice on). He specializes in
make-up. Have to research reactions to injuries to enable
them to react properly. 6) Leslie Argyle, Mayor of Ock
Street - leader of the Abingdon Morris Dancers. Talks
about the election and investment, dancing and the fairs.
Talks about the Ock Street of his childhood.
John Simpson visits Marsh Gibbon and talks to some of
the people who live there.
1) Derek Leonard, farmer, chairman of parish council,
housing and schooling, sport in the village. (7'23)
2) Tom Herring, joined Marsh Gibbon Silver Band in
Simpson, John
11.2.1986
Simpson, John
8.2.1986
LT 423
People and
Places
Buckland
LT 424
People and
Places
Watlington
1922, bandmaster. (7'50)
3) Edward Benfield, dairy farmer, talks about organisation
involved in Vintage and Veteran Steam Rally organised to
raise funds for village hall - only three held as became too
large and popular, but achieved object. Farming.
4) John Cutforth, local historian, talks about history of
village. (6'00)
5) Florrie Parker, aged 80, talks about the village shop
owned by her father, now by her brother, evacuees,
school, changes in the village, Club Day with the band.
Bill shopkeeper, talks about family and the village. (10'20)
6) Les White, former farm worker, fetching water with a
donkey, working with horses, hedge laying, milking.
(9'08)
Phil Rapps visits Buckland and talks to some of the people Rapps, Phil
who live there. 1) Charles Wellesley talks about running
Buckland Estate. 2) Alec Carr, academic registrar,
Buckland House now used by University College. History
of the house and college. relations between village and
college. Registrar's job. 3) Mary Gowing, Ash Tree Farm,
temporary chairman of parish council, village amenities
and development, the farm, peacocks. 4) Regina Gray, cat
sanctuary, fund raising, how it started, finding 5) Russell
Godfrey, former wheelwright, lived in village all his life.
Friendly Society Club Day. Work as wheelwright, would
make a wagon in the winter when work was slack, made
their own metal tyres, lasted a long time if tyres kept tight.
6) Les Helen Friar, trustees of the Memorial Hall - the
village hall, doors and windows made on the estate, floor
is maple, Youth Club took over running in 1962. Used for
many functions. Hall has a swimming pool attached.
John Simpson talks to some of the inhabitants of
Simpson, John
Watlington. 1) Introduction. 2) Anna Valentine, landlady
of the Chequers ph, helps with the youth club. Hobby going to jumble sales. (6'42) 3) Eric Newman, chairman
of Parish Council, is Watlington or village? Town Hall
15.2.1986
22.2.1986
LT 425
People and
Places
Little
Clarendon
Street,
Oxford
being restored. Possibility of a relief road. President of
Cricket Club, reasons for living in Watlington (8'17) 4)
Basil Lewis, lived in same street 86 years - few changes in
centre of town. Was a baker, took over family his father
did everything the old-fashioned way but he modernised
it. Made approx. 600 loaves a day. Previously worked for
the met. office in Benson. Founder member of the first
Watlington scouts 1907, later became a scout master.
Talks about growing, Carter's fire c1907 - remembers the
old fire engines. (10'08) 5) Len Milton, runs bar at
Memorial Club - a sport and social centre bequeathed to
the town and used by various organisations. Building has
a priest's hole behind the fireplace 6) Miss Erica
Westmacott, born in New Zealand. Reasons for coming to
Watlington, bought and renovated cottage during the war.
Remembers the blackouts and the wardens, had friends to
stay from London when London was being bombed. Was
a professional - taught people to sing. (6'57) 7) Irene
Andrews, Watlington Times, involved since first issue,
started by delivering the newspaper, now the editor for 10
years. Talks about the newspaper and its production,
Watlington and its facilities (7'41)
John Simpson talks to some of the traders of Little
Simpson, John
Clarendon Street, Oxford. 1) Introduction. 2) Richard
Clarke, chairman of the Little Clarendon Street Traders'
Association, aims of the association. Annual street fair for
charity - this year for Runs hairdressing business,
expanded over the years. Raises money for charity
through hairdressing evenings. 3) Graham Brown, came to
street 1973 with rugs brought back from Middle East,
rented basement under Usbornes to start, later became
Oasis with 16 shops around UK. Mentions people who
started small in the street and then expanded. Street seen
as a community, the traders co-operate with each other.
Travels to widen range of merchandise, use of indigenous
skills to supply Western 4) Chris Marling, The Malvern
1.3.1986
LT 426
People and
Places
Spelsbury
LT 427
People and
Places
Shabbington
Cheese Supplies. Reasons for coming to Oxford. Gaining
experience and sourcing cheese. 5) Mike, chef at Michel's,
starter's and sweets, working hours. 6) John Gray,
University Chest principal accountant. Deals with the
finances of the university, talks about his work, changes in
the street. 7) Ginny Fenton, manager of Laura Ashley,
discusses the shop, her training, and dealing with
customers. Impressions of the street. 8) Chris Poole, his
shop sells scientific appeal of unusual things. Changes in
the character of the street, talks about items for sale in the
shop.
John Simpson talks to some of the inhabitants of
Simpson, John
Spelsbury. 1) Susan Thompson, worked for the Dillon
family. Talks about the family and the village. (8'00) 2)
Bob Datson, farmer, talks about Glebe Farm - cereals and
pigs. Started as bailiff in became tenant farmer in 1976. 3)
Walter Harris, lived in Spelsbury all his life, mentions
school, worked on farm as herdsman, talks about milking.
Later worked at Parker Knoll, Chipping Norton. Talks
about the village, pub burning down. (8'13) 4) 'Bill'
Elliott, secretary to the church council, was in the air force
37 years, rear-gunner during ww2. (7'28) 5) Ken
Wakefield, duties as captain of bell ringing team, the
village, entertainments club. (4'45) 6) Dolly Hatton,
Spelsbury Parish Committee, its activities - remarkable for
such a small village. She began by arranging bingo which
still continues. Pub fire - 1924, remembers old horsedrawn fire engine. Home made wine. (7'58)
1) Introduction by interviewer John Simpson. 2) Percy
Simpson, John
Plested, lived in Shabbington since he was 3 years old.
First job was working on farm keeping crows off. Started
working on roads 1925, keeping them in good repair.
Mostly horse and cart traffic that time. Flooding near pub,
sheepwashing, carrying milk in buckets. (7'12)
3) John Max, chairman of parish council, village shop
keeper. Talks about his involvement in the village. (5'20)
3.1986
15.3.1986
LT 428
People and
Places
Culham
4) Jack Silver, has lived most of his life in Worked at the
brickworks, then as a builder. (5'05)
5) Tom Crittenden, taught agricultural engineering at
Rycote Wood College. Talks about his teaching days.
6) Pam Chatterton, member of the parish council, talks
about the village, the Singers and the flower club in
Thame.(4'33)
7) John Godwyn, head of science dept. Oxford CFE.
Involvement with church. Twice a month service is given
by member of congregation as no longer a vicar in the
village. Talks about the progressive they hold to raise
money for charity, Pensioners Cheer Fund, village
hut.(8'30)
8) Morton King, former parish and district councillor.
Lived in village since 1919 aged 10. Father was livestock
farmer. 50 years on parish council, 38 years as of district
council. Remembers going round village aged 13
collecting the hospital benefit. (6'21)
1) Introduction by interviewer, John Simpson. 2) Dick
Broad, aged 75, was born in village. Talks about his
bungalow, electricity coming to the village. Worked in a
clothing factory which went bankrupt, then as carpenter in
building trade. (7'11) 3) 'Billy' Williams born 1904 in
cottage she still lives in. Father worked for Morrells, who
owned Culham, he was also an undertaker. Alice worked
as travelling salesman selling door to door, first for
Vineys, then for 40 years for Coxeters. (5'42) 4) Youthed,
former vice-principal Culham College. Talks about the
college and her work. (6'34) 5) Bob Donaghue,
policeman. His work as a rural policeman and the reasons
he became a policeman. Involved with the youth club,
working with schools. (8'56) Elizabeth Edgecombe, head
teacher at village school, the school and teaching. The
school rat. 7) Sally Bainbridge, chairman of parish
council. School house being brought back into use for the
parish after having been used as a private house. Now by
Simpson, John
22.3.1986
LT 429
People and
Places
Shenington
LT 430
People and
Places
Waddesdon
both school and parish council. Fairs for church
restoration fund. Reads poem - Ballad of Culham Water
Meadow. (8'29)
1) Introduction by interviewer John Simpson. (1'48) 2)
Fred Coles, talks about the village and the ironstone used
for the buildings, the Victorian school he attended and
where he is now chairman of board of governors. Ties
between church and (6'50) 3) Christine Hawtin, runs
village shop, organises mowers to keep village tidy. Won
best kept village 3 times in past. (5'30) 4) Dr. Bill Boyd,
retired village doctor. Came to village 1964, village
community, village doctor's patients also surgery is a
dispensing surgery. (6'29)
5) Peter Gibbs, farmer 700 acres, mixed farm. Farm was
used as an aerodrome during the war - now used for
gliding and go-karting. Chairman of parish council.
Controversial council rubbish tip, parking in a problem.
Changes as outsiders buy cottages and school takes pupils
from other villages. Church warden - unusual custom of
strewing grass in church aisles at Holy Trinity - people
come for miles to see this. (9'46) 6) Stanley White, artist,
local Christmas card showing scene of Shenington or
Alkerton. Worked illustrating comics and annuals, later
went into advertising. (8'13) 7) Harold Clifton, chairman
Oxfordshire County Council, stone mason. Talks about
the ironstone, family were worked with family from
leaving school. Working on a carving to replace a C14th
church carving which needs to be preserved. Involvement
in local government. (8'05)
1) Introduction by interviewer John Simpson (1'58). 2)
Dillys Todd, has just retired from running village
playgroup. Started the playgroup in her home 20 years
ago. Husband runs a dairy farm with which she will now
help. (6'41) 3) Ben Marlow, born lives in house in which
he was born in Frederick St. Talks about the shops which
were there. Anecdotes about family. Working on the
Simpson, John
29.3.1986
Simpson, John
5.4.1986
LT 431
People and
Places
Aston, nr
Bampton
LT 432
People and
Ardley and
Waddesden Manor Estate, village blacksmith. Buses
which used to serve village, before that horse and cart.
(10'14) Roy Southam, chairman of Parish Council,
problems of traffic and parking, numerous accidents.
Village employs a part-time litter collector to improve the
streets. Family has been in the village since at least 1750.
(6'41) 5) Norman Carr, interested local history, beating the
bounds, the Rothschilds and their influence on the village.
Chairman of Junior Football Club. (9'36) 6) Len Wood,
deputy president Royal National Rose Society, has 2,000
rose trees in his garden, grows for exhibition. His in rose
growing and exhibiting, eventually exhibiting nationally,
won amateur championship 1978. (8'08) 7) Lieut. Col.
Anthony Crawthorne, manager of Waddesdon Manor
which is now in the care of the National Trust and open to
the public. Various aviary, grounds. (6'32)
1) Introduction by interviewer Mary Small. (1'06) 2)
Small, Mary
Wesley Jones, aged 84, lived in cottage since 1940, father
owned village stores/butchers. Wesley took over
butchering side of business. Memories of village, helping
in the shop as a child, sugar bags. Interest in local history.
(10'34) 3) Bob Murden, butcher. Grandfather was a pig
killer and Bob still uses his grandfather's humane gun for
killing pigs in back yards for owners consumption. Sang
in church choir. Sings 2 verses of (8'11) 4) Janet
Glanville, headmistress of village school which has 99
pupils. School in the community, changes in village,
school pond. Importance of assembly. Lives in the School
House. (10'12) 5) George Wiltshire, came to Aston as an
evacuee in talks of some of his experiences, had 5
different lodgings. Returned to London for a few weeks
but preferred country life. Interests. (9'45) 6) Michael
Hook, farmer in Cote. Talks about the Hook family, how
he misses the elm trees, his childhood, changing the
village.
1) Introduction by interviewer John Simpson. (1'42) 2)
Simpson, John
4.1986
19.4.1986
LT 433
Places
Fewcott
People and
Places
Brightwell
cum Sotwell
Norman Fraser, chairman of Parish Council. Ardley as a
community, noise from Upper Heyford airbase, traffic
problems of A43 which will be relieved by M40.
Involvement with Gardening Club and show. (6'40) 3)
Bob Keays, lived in village since 1941. Became District
Councillor in 1946, helped procure improvements to the
two villages. Instrumental in provision of playing field.
Secretary of Fewcott Fuel Allotment Charity. (7'41) 4)
Joan has run Ardley Stores and Post Office for 14 years.
Stores as the hub of the village, enjoyed by Americans
from the airbase. Talks about the armed robbery of the
P.O. - was commended fpr courage and bravery. (7'43) 5)
Graham and Lynne Carpenter - White Lion ph, Fewcott.
Local football team sponsored by pub. Has reputation for
good, reasonably priced food. Both enjoy the village and
running the pub. (7'15) 6) Colin Pickford, farmer, corn,
sheep, beef. Two farms divided by A43, looking to M40
extension to reduce traffic. Animals cope well with noise
from aircraft. Concern with conservation - recently re-dug
pond, planted more trees. Church warden. (7'56) 7) Peter
'Tom' Sawyer, chairman of Playing Field Committee,
helped to get play area installed. Meeting Room at playing
field used as village hall - extended and kitchen installed.
Well used by various organisations. Tree planting to
screen forthcoming M40 already underway. (8'19)
John Simpson visits Brightwell-cum-Sotwell and talks to
Simpson, John
some of the people who live there. 1) Introduction (1'48)
2) Fred Heyworth, retired school headmaster. Name of
village, editor of village newsletter. Reasons for coming to
village, interest in changes in village. (9'56) 3) Michael
Maughan, chairman of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell
Community Assoc., which was started during the Jubilee
celebrations originally to raise money for recreational
facilities. Village now has playground and tennis Future
projects. Helped organise last years village ball. (7'28) 4)
Vivian Brookes, helps at playgroup held in village hall.
4.1986
LT 434
People and
Places
Jericho,
Oxford
Husband pastor at Brightwell Free Church. Impression of
village and what it is like to live there - strong community
Talks about the beginnings of the Free Church. Future
projects for fundraising for charity. (6'36) 5) Tom Everex,
went to village school when it was held in the village hall.
School days. Left school aged 14, worked for his father on
the farm, going into partnership with brother in a dairy
farm. Difficulties during WW2. Church warden. (11'03) 6)
Paul Dean, landlord Red Lion ph. Lived in village 1 year,
previously in London but prefers village life. Involved
with re-starting youth club at hall. (5'50) 7) Carol Dennis,
parish councillor, village as a community. Village
organisations. Property prices a concern. Parish fact sheet
produced by the council, car surgery service. (7'31)
John Simpson visits the Jericho area of Oxford and talks
Simpson, John
to some of the people who live there. 1) Introduction
(1'30). 2) Percy Broadis, memories of the ferry, knocker
up for railway workers, lamp lighters etc., wharf area,
changes in the last few (8'27) 3) Father Michael Wright,
vicar of St. Barnabas Church. Church - Lombard
Romanesque architecture used by Thomas Hardy in 'Jude
the Obscure'. Off the beaten tourist track so not too many
visitors. Exhibition on Life in Jericho. (7'56) 4) Rose
Eddie Broadway, married 58 yrs. Rose born in Nelson St.
Jericho, talks about her childhood. Eddie talks about his
life and the changes in Jericho. (5'12) 5) Paul Hornby,
chairman Local Community Association. Talks about the
St. Barnabas Centre, the building, Jericho as a community,
parking problems, planning policies in the area. (6'48) 6)
Stella Campion, silversmith and jeweller, Jericho
workshops. Her training, the craft workshops, difficulties
of becoming known, items she makes. Is in chase work.
Toby Sylvester, clockmaker, talks briefly abiut his work.
(9'22) 7) Ted Harris, lived in Jericho all his life. Lives in
Combe Road. Talks about Thomas Combe for whom the
road is named, the school, the Bookbinders Arms,
3.5.1986
LT 435
LT 436
LT 437
People and
Places
People and
Places
Meadle
People and
Places
Didcot
Railway
Centre
Hook Norton
celebrations reunions (7'07)
People and Places Meadle
John Simpson visits Hook Norton and talks to some of the Simpson, John
people who live there. 1) Introduction (2'26) 2) Frank
Horn, butcher, born in Hook Norton, started butchering
aged 14 in the same shop he has now. Took over business
15 years ago. Played for village team. (7'35) 3) Tom
Williams, market gardener, chairman of parish council for
30 years. Helped obtain many changes for the parish.
Market garden - cold, wet conditions hampering them this
year. (7'55) 4) David Clarke, managing director head
brewer Hook Norton Brewery. 4th generation to work for
brewery, which started in a farm house. (5'32) 5) John
Gibbs, has made a video of Hook Norton Past and Present.
Interested in local history and rural crafts. (7'30) 6)
Barbara Brown, with Hook Norton's association with
Pinval, a village in India, money collected for the school
there. Headmaster of the school writes long letters about
life in the village. Talks about various organisations in
Hook Norton. Keeps 3 donkeys. (7'04) Fred Beale, born in
village, father worked in Brewery, Fred went with him as
a child. Emigrated to Canada aged 19 to join his brother.
Stayed there 10 years working on the farms. Hook Norton
- remembers the trains over the viaduct, kilns for drying
thatched roofs catching fire, winters. (12'12)
John Simpson talks to people from the Great Western
Simpson, John
Society at Didcot Railway Centre. 1) Introduction (2'03)
2) Graham Perry - the origins of the society and growth
over 25 years, now 4,500 members. The facilities they
have now. Time and effort (8'05) 3) Jeannette Howse,
catering manageress, organizing events, encouraging
family visits. Dining experience. Participation of women
in the society. (7'22) 4) Fred Gray, curator of the museum
opened 1982. Exhibits, collecting and restoration. in the
social history of the railway. (11'15) 5) Dick North, chief
5.1986
17.5.1986
24.5.1986
LT 438
People and
Places
Crawley
LT 439
People and
Places
People and
Places
Cholsey
LT 440
Black
Bourton
steward. Responsible for supervising public open days,
ensuring trains run safely, ticket sellers in place etc. (7'45)
6) Dave Martin, restores carriages. The processes
involved and various types of coaches. (6'24) 7) Fred
Graves, on the footplate. The fascination of steam, used to
work as a fitter on the railway. (7'00)
John Simpson visits Crawley and talks to some of the
people who live there. 1) Introduction (2'06). 2) Elsie
Warner talks about walking to school in Hailey, walking
to Witney. The blanket mill where her husband worked.
(Speaks with Oxfordshire 3) Pauline and Keith Harris changes in the village. Folk Music club in Witney. (8'03)
4) Phyl Margetts - parents used to look after the Lamb ph.
Hall attached to the pub used as a village hall. Had
evaccuees in the village during the war. Games the pub,
entertainments in the village. (6'45) 5) Richard Parsons,
chairman of parish council. Small village so not too much
business. Problem of traffic, older people upset by church
closure. (7'38) 6) John and Judy Borroughs - owners of
The Lamb for 14 months - learning process, reasons for
becoming publicans. Pub games - darts, Aunt Sally, crib,
tug o' war. Pub meals. (9'57) 7) Roger Bunker has
business premises in Crawley Mill Business Estate Industrial hydrolic engineers. Talks about estate and the
old mill. (6'51)
People and Places. Cholsey
John Simpson visits Black Bourton and talks to some of
the people who live there.1) Introduction (1'41) 2) Mary
Palmer, local history, village name, story of wall paintings
in church, Bourton Place, field names. 3) Cliff Taylor,
first chairman of council formed in 1985, when Black
Bourton became independant from Caterton. (6'44) 4)
Harry Hall, lived in village since marriage 60 years ago.
Worked in blanket mill, cycling to Witney. Involved with
dart team. Difference to village made by of Brize Norton
Simpson, John
31.5.1986
6.1986
Simpson, John
6.1986
LT 441
LT 442
People and
Places
People and
Places
Ludgershall
Kingston
Bagpuize
airfield. Father was a mole catcher - had 150 traps, was
paid 2/6d per moleskin in LOndon. (7'10) 5) Frank
Stewart Wood, Aylesbury Mushroom Farm. Talks about
the process of mushroom production and distribution.
Father bought the in Black Bourton after starting a
mushroom farm in Aylesbury. Employs 120 people,
process the compost at the farm. Parish councillor. (6'34)
6) Liz Welch, secretary of medieval murals appeal.
Medieval wallpaintings discovered in church 1866, over.
Subsequently preserved by using wax, since discovered
not the best way to preserve them, hence need for
restoration. ambitious fund raising programme. Member
of the Windrush Flower Club, Witney - in charge of
flowers for church, involved with in Bloom. (7'16) 7) Fred
Busby, aged 90, lived in village since 1930s, initially
herdsman, then became head poultryman at Manor Farm,
eventually ran his own poultry farm. After fowl pest
attacked poultry, went into pig farming. Worked at Brize
airfield running the barracks and at De Havilands during
war. Well water. (8'22) 8) Rev. Phillip Randell, rector,
fund raising for restoration of church wallpaintings.
Discusses the paintings and village life. (5'59)
People and Places. Ludgershall.
Clare Christie visits Kingston Bagpuize and talks to some Christie, Clare
of the people who live there. 1) Introduction (1'34) 2)
Richard Frost, chairman of parish council. Traffic
problems, controversial by-pass, need for link road.
Farmer - cereals, peas, beef, St. John's College
connection. (9'03) 3) Lady Tweedsmuir talks about
Kingston House and gardens and its previous owners. 4)
Richard Gardiner, supervising the work on the new village
hall, will have a vaulted ceiling. Labour provided by YTS
scheme. from VoWH, money raised in village and from
sale of old hall land. (6'47) 5) John Garrett, village baker
for 35 years, learnt trade from father and college. Starts
6.1986
28.6.1986
LT 443
People and
Places
Ewelme
LT 444
People and
Places
Wolvercote
work at 3am, talks about the business. (4'19) 6) Graham
Platt, editor Kingston with Southmoor News. What is
involved in producing the news letter. Retired headteacher
of village school, talks about the school. (8'35) 7) Colin
Tester, first Longworth Scout Band - competitions and
awards. How he joined, benefits of playing in a (7'17) 8)
Jan Kelly, treasurer of Kingston Bagpuize Drama Group,
acts with group, new village hall, talks about the group.
(6'05)
Clare Christie visits Ewelme and talks to some of the
Christie, Clare
people who live there. 1) Introduction (1'54) 2) Moira
Calvert, chairman of parish council. Parish council
business, living in the village. 3) Stephen Rowse, Rowse's
Honey business. Talks about business, importation of
honey, the effect of the business on the village. (5'36) 4)
Fred Harwood, thatcher. How he started and the thatching
business. (7'07) 5) Lucy Thomas, resident of almshouses.
Talks about the history of the almshouses and the trust.
(5'58) 6) George Cannon, retired head teacher of Ewelme
School. Talks about the school, Chaucer connection, the
village. (7'55) 7) Rev. Peter Renshaw, rector. The church,
in serious need of restoration, fund raising - the Rose
Festival, connection, work of the rector, village
community. (7'52) 8) Reg Winfield, aged 75, family lived
in Ewelme since 15th Century. Talks about his ancestors
and changes in the village. (7'54)
Clare Christie visits Wolvercote, Oxford and talks to some Christie, Clare
of the people who live there. 1) Introduction (1'38) 2)
Peggy Godwin, born in Wolvercote, childhood
reminiscences. Parents had a small holding, chores.
Played on Port meadow. Father ran business. Changes in
Wolvercote. Walking into Oxford, train into Oxford,
carriers. (7'27) 3) John Wain, novelist, critic, poet.
Reasons for living in Wolvercote - conducive to writing
poetry. (8'05) 4) Don Plowman, worker for 40 years at
Wolvercote Mill, talks about his work there. (8'00) 5) G.S.
5.7.1986
12.7.1986
LT 445
People and
Places
Blewbury
LT 446
People and
Places
Deddington
Murray, team vicar, explains the meaning of being a team
vicar. Wolvercote parish, Boys' Club. (7'54) 6) Gerald
Collett, secretary to Baptist Church. The Baptist
community in Wolvercote, the school - teachers by name.
Activities on Port Meadow. Father worked at Blenheim
Palace, took a local cricket team to play there. (8'35) 7)
Ron Bateman, chairman of Wolvercote Commons
Committee, talks about the preservation of common land
and grazing rights. of the commons and commoners.
(7'58)
Clare Christie visits Blewbury and talks to some of the
Christie, Clare
people who live there. 1) Introduction (1'30) 2) Pat
Magee, landlady of Blueberry Inn. Previous owners and
history of the pub. Resident ghost. (7'05) 3) Fulke Johnson
Houghton, racehorse and owner of Woodway Stables.
Stables horses for the Aga Khan and others. Aspects of
training. (4'29) 4) Rev. Hugh Pickle, vicar, talks about the
village, its growth, activities and beauty, the recent
pageant. (8'25) 5) John Snook, farmer. Farming,
involvement with village, changes. (6'39) 6) Glen Joel,
chairman of parish council. Reasons for choosing to live
in Blewbury, parish council business, housing (4'09) 7)
Claude Corderoy, lived in Blewbury since 1927. No
longer knows everyone in as he used to, different
atmosphere. Remembers village as it was - the water mill,
heating, transport. Bellringing. 8) Roger Cambray,
secretary of Blewbury History Group. History of
Blewbury, artists who used to live in village, attraction of
for artists and writers. Future development.
Clare Christie visits Deddington and talks to some of the
Christie, Clare
people who live there. 1) Introduction (2'08) 2) Fred
Deely, one of oldest inhabitants, the old village, horse and
trap, left school aged 13, worked in hauling - first for his
father then himself. Bowls Club. Many newcomers to
village. (9'35) 3) Richard Hannah, vicar, church, village,
community. (7'39) 4) Donald Welford, farmer,
19.7.1986
28.7.1986
LT 447
People and
Places
Waterstock
Bolderdyke Farm, Clifton. Mostly arable, some sheep and
chickens. Discusses farming today. Deddington as
community. Dislikes shooting and hunting - prefers to
watch the birds. (7'19) 5) Mike Ackland, jewellery maker
in partnership with wife Heather. Works with gold and
silver, lost wax process, designs pieces himself, been in
business 16 years. (6'10) Alan Rampley, police constable.
Work of village policeman. Involvement with scouts.
Pleasures of job. (7'58) 7) Mary Robinson, retired parish
councillor, activities in village, founder of Deddington
News - monthly free magazine, shops. Council - lighting
main road, housing (8'30)
Interviews at Waterstock. Track 1 - A tiny village, away
Christie, Clare
from the the main road from Oxford to Thame, houses
mainly 17-18 century. Track 2; Manoug Parikian,
internationally famous violinist, living at the Old Rectory,
explains why he moved to the and talks about past
summer schools when his pupils gave concerts at the
village church. Track 3 - John Bull, farmer whose family
has lived in the village and area over 400 years. Was a
tenant of the local landowners, the Ashhursts and was able
to the farm when part of the estate was sold. Track 4 Mervyn Talbot, church organist - how he came to have
organ lessons. The church no longer the centre of village
life, full only at Christmas and Harvest. Track 5 - Olive
Ashby has lived in the for 60 years since she came at 14 to
work for the Ashhursts at Waterstock Manor as an
underhousemaid. She talks about her life as a servant. In
the past the village was virtually a feudal society, with
everyone working on farms owned by the family at the
Manor. Track 6 - Waterstock Riding School where Lars
[Swedish] and Diana [brought up in the village]
Sederholm train horses and riders for top clss competition.
Track 7 - Jonathan Lawrence, dealer in English sporting
guns. Track 8 - Michael Chairman of the Parish Meeting,
talks of anxieties about the route of the M40 extension and
8.1986
LT 448
People and
Places
Minster
Lovell
LT 449
People and
Places
Childrey
the effects on the village of access roads.
1) Introduction to the village. 2) The Vicar, Derek Frost,
explains the unusual dedication of the church to St
Kenelm, and talks of the part the church plays in the
community. 3) Sybil Williams, Chair of the Parish
Council, talks about changes in village, the questions
discussed by the Council, and her work as secretary of the
Parochial Church Council. 4) Anthony Baines, painter,
fell in love with the village when on a painting holiday.
He talks about his painting - still life and 5) Dr Anthony
Ambrose runs a conference centre in the former mill
house. He is particularly interested in the history of the
village including the stories associated with the Lovell
family, the old houses, some built with stone from the
ruined house, the Charterville allotments project and why
it failed. 6) Timothy Turner, landlord of the 600 year old
Swan Inn, now a hotel and restaurant, still used for
meetings of village committees. 7) the Rt. Hon. Douglas
Jay, former MP and Labour Minister, retired to the
village, which he had loved since he was a student at
Oxford. A peaceful place in which to live and write.
1) Description of the village and its location near the
Christie, Clare
Berkshire Downs. 2) Bert Booker,living at the former
school head teacher's house, talks about his schooldays,
his work during World War 2 repairing aircraft at Milton,
and his setting up of own forge after the war. Changes in
the village. 3) The Rev Harry Price, Assistant Priest of a
group of 6 parishes, talks in detail about the village
church, its history, brasses, monuments, and the chantry of
the Fettiplace family, who endowed the 4) Andrea
Saunders describes the village playgroup, which she runs.
5) Gillian Taylor spins wool from her own sheep and is
involved with a group of spinners who meet at her house.
6) Alex Hanna, the owner of the village Post Office and
Stores, says he and his wife moved to Childrey and how
much they enjoy being part of the community. 7) Col.
8.1986
16.8.1986
LT 450
People and
Places
Stratton
Audley
LT 451
People and
Places
Drayton St.
Leonard
William Fletcher moved to Childrey from Warks. His
involvement as Chairman of the Parish Council and
governor of the village school. 8) Joy Bassett has with
horses for much of her life - riding with trainers, running
her own stables, and more recently helping with Riding
for the Disabled. 9) Jean Drummond's great interest is the
history of the village; she does research on the church, the
family, etc.
1) brief description of the village, near Bicester, and its
Simpson, John
connection with the Audley family. 2) Doreen Hanks runs
the village PO and Stores, with her husband whose main
interest is their large selection of books about aircraft,
mostly sold by order. 3) Harry Rothery, who has lived in
the village for 31 years, talks about changes - less work in
farming, but a greater variey of people. He serves on the
PCC and looks after the graveyard. 4) Derek Priddy-Smith
is in charge of the hounds of Bicester and Warden Chase
Hunt; he explains the particular terms used about hounds
and foxes. 5) Mollie Stockley began work as third
housemaid at Stratton House when she left school; a hard
life with low pay, but servants well looked after. 6) Eric
Goss of Elm Farm, and his herdsman Robin Davies,
explain the details of looking after a dairy herd, the twice
daily milking, the restrictions imposed by Milk Quotas.
Eric is a former Chairman of the Parish Council. 7) Les
Steward, landlord of Red Lion pub, speaking with the
background music of a visiting group of [female] Morris
Dancers, says he tries to keep the pub as far as possible a
country pub.
1) Situation of the village, on River Thame, liable to
Simpson, John
flooding; market gardening an important occupation. 2)
Ron Jones and his wife Margaret. Ken born in the village
in 1924, Chairman of the Parish Council; tells of his
schooldays in the village in Dorchester. The village's
small size and isolation; in former times cricket and
football teams and a cycle track. Margaret is very
23.8.1986
30.8.1986
LT 452
People and
Places
interested in history and archaeology. She mentions the
puzzle of why the village is called St Leonard while the is
dedicated to St Katherine. 3) Sue Hurley is Clerk to the
Parish Council. Her parents kept the village pub. Isolation
of the village - a bus [to Abingdon] twice a week. 4) Hugh
Farrant, member of Oxon County Council for many years,
now on his farm. He talks about the different types of soil,
his production of beef and dairy cattle, the beneficial
effects of flooding on permanent pasture, the disastrous
results of Dutch Elm Disease. 5) Peter Butler, landlord of
the Pigeons pub, has improved the pub and opened a
restaurant. The social feeling of the village pub in the
community makes it very different from Australian pubs.
6) Pat Tidmarsh runs a tiny shop in a shed in the garden
because the village shop closed 2 years ago something is
needed especially for older people without transport. 7)
Terry Rogers and his brothers are the main employers in
Drayton, producing paving stones, swimming pools etc,
and dealing in reclamation of non-ferrous metals. Terry
serves on Parish Council and is a Churchwarden. The
village raised over £20,000 for restoration of the church.
Ascott-under- 1] The village - in the Evenlode valley, near Wychwood
Simpson, John
Wychwood
Forest, site of a famous farmworkers' strike in 1873. 2]
Harry Cook, farmer, talks about changes in the village, the
threat of school closure, reduction in train services, lack of
small houses young couples, the Amenities Committee
and the Village Hall. 3] Mrs Emmie Acton was born in the
village; she worked as kitchen maid at the Grange. Her
husband worked at Leafield radio station - its tall aerials a
local landmark. 4] John runs the the Wychwood Arms
Hotel and restaurant. A good centre for the Cotswolds and
the Oxfordshire Way footpath. 5] Arthur Badger of Crown
Farm talks about changes in farming. Nowadays village
people work at Cowley or Witney; in the past there a gang
of men maintaining the railway. 6] Pam Shepherd,
President of the Women's Insitute, talks about their
6.9.1986
LT 453
People and
Places
Weston
Turville
LT 648
People and
Places
North Leigh
activities and their summer walks along local footpaths.
Remains of two castles in the village. 7] Eric Pratley was
apprenticed as a worked at Smiths' at Witney, now makes
window frames to order at home. A churchwarden for 28
years.
Track 1 - Introduction - a village between Aylesbury and
the Chilterns, stil rural but with many large new houses.
Track 2 - The Rev. Nicholas Maloney talks about the
church, with its carvings of arms of the Turville family
and of All Souls Oxford, the patron. Recent developments
in the village - expensive new houses for people who
commute to Reading, London etc., very few council
houses. Track 3 - Harold Axtell, born in the village in
1900, recalls his schooldays and describes the 'characters'
in the village and their occupations. Track 4 - Jim
Aitchison took on The Plough, one of the 4 pubs, after 26
years in the RAF abroad and latterly at Holton, leading
young people on expeditions for Duke of Edinburgh
Awards. Track 5 - Tompkins' family were wheelwrights;
he descibes how wheels were made, all by hand. He
worked as a carpenter for 50 years in the building trade.
Track 6 - Doug Burnham, Chair of the Parish Council.
Over the last 25 years 15 new streets and many houses
have been added to the village. Track 7 - The Voluntary
Community Service group, described by the Secretary,
Heather Henderson, was started when the doctor's surgery
closed, at first as a prescription collecting service, then it
began transport to hospital etc. appointments. She is also
on the Village Hall committee.
1] Situation of the village, with its remains of a windmill
and a Roman villa. Influence of Eynsham Hall and the
Mason family. 2] Brian Heritage, Chairman of Parish
Council, talks about life and activities in the village, the
turnover of residents. Margaret Lupton, editor of the
monthly village newsletter. 4] Frank Lord, former
Chairman of Parish Council, talks about past changes in
Simpson, John
13.9.1986
Simpson, John
20.9.1986
LT 649
People and
Places
Piddington
LT 650
People and
Places
Weston-onthe-Green
the village - the coming of electricity and mains water.
The Mason family gave the Village Hall and the cricket
ground, and were formerly a major employer. 5] Tom
Fathers has a bowling green in his front garden where he
and his friends play every weekend. He went to the village
school and Witney Grammar School. A previous Vicar
assembled a very good and started an operatic society. 6]
Peter King talks about the village football club, now
running three teams. 7] the Rev John Morgan describes
the numerous notable features of the church, including a
mural of the Last Judgement.
1. A village of 300 people 5 miles from Bicester, thatched Christie, Clare
cottages, no shop, no buses. 2. Air Chief Marshal Sir
Nigel Maynard and Lady Maynard bought the Manor
House to be a base when working abroad with the RAF.
Its history, connections with the John Drinkwater. 3.
William Holt, whose great-grandfather, grandfather and
father lived in the village, talks about life there in his
childhood. 4. Thomas Cholmondeley Tapper and a friend
set up an airfield at Haddenham near Thame in the 1930's
to ordinary people as pilots, to be ready for a possible war
against Germany. His career as a Formula 1 racing driver
in the 1930's. 5. Dot Baylis, living at the Old Bakery,
recalls when it really was a bakery, and talks about the
self-sufficient life people in the village. 6. Tony Tallents,
Chair of the Parish Council and Vice-Chair of Cherwell
District Council, discusses local concerns including plans
to build a large remand centre near the village. 7. Roland
Hawkins set up his own business as decorator after 38
years at Pressed Steel in Oxford. 8. Kostek Wojnarowska,
a Polish sculptor who came to England during the War,
served in the Polish Air Force, married an English girl.
His work as a sculptor, concentrating on portraiture.
1. Situation of the village and its main features. 2. John
Christie, Clare
Roper, Parish Council. The problem of heavy traffic on
the road past the village. The tragedy of the closing of the
27.9.1986
4.10.1986
LT 651
People and
Places
Fyfield
village school. The village green and village hall; the lack
of public 3. Bob Hessian runs a B and B. Interest in
researching village history. 4. Winifred Fox - her father
was the last wheelwright in the county. Changes in the
village during her lifetime. 5. Marion DeVriese, born
1897, the oldest inhabitant, organist 60 years, her training
as a primary school teacher. Her memories of the first
bicycles and cars seen in the village. 6. Adrian Wylie talks
about the Manor Hotel situated in the Manor House,
mainly 16th century, with some remains from the former
7. John Maling moved from London when he became
Asst. Principal of Oxford CFE. His wife Jackie edits the
Village News.
Track 1 - derivation of the name, church mentioned in
Christie, Clare
Domesday Book, old Manor House. Track 2 - John and
Maureen Lay at Manor Farm. Changes in farming - fewer
workers, farming more scientific, harvest used to involve
whole families. New industrial employ a few people.
Track 3 - John Howard, landlord of the only pub, the Whit
Hart - important to be interested in local people and
events; development of food side of the business. Track 4
- Peter Fennimore talks about the antiquarian and rare
section of Blackwells Booksellers, housed in Fyfield
Manor, a Grade 2* listed building dating from 14th
century. Customers from all over the world, 70% of the
business by mail, Track 5 - Margaret Hemming, member
of the Parish Coucil, talks about problems - loss of the
village school, possible effects of new by-pass which will
make access to the village difficult for ambulances etc.
Groups that used to meet in school building have given
up. One bus a week. No work for young people in the
Track 6 - Kath Harris and her children have run a paper
round for 23 years. Track 7 - Christine Rayner and her
husband have just arrived to take over the Post Office and
village store. Love being in the countryside, having
moved from Stockport to the rat race.
11.10.1986
LT 652
People and
Places
Eynsham
LT 653
People and
Places
Tackley
1) John Simpson visits Eynsham where he talks to some
Simpson, John
of the villagers. Eynsham is a large village with a long
history, site of a very important abbey until the
Dissolution. 2) Arthur Biggers, baker, his trade and the
bakery which his grandfather 3) David Wastie talks about
his family's long connection with the village, his garage
business, the Parish Council, apples named after the
family. 4) Rev. Robert Key talks about the present
restoration and history of the parish church and the who
meet there. 5) Annette Faulkner, aged 84, daughter of
blacksmith, talks about her father's trade, especially the
making of iron 'tyres' for carts. 6) Mollie Harris, well
known as an actress in 'The Archers', author of 'From Acre
End' and other 7) Dr. Jonathan Ferrier, Malt House craft
workshop, an old building restored for use by small
businesses. Edward Stuart, clock repairer and restorer
with a studio at the Malt House.
1) An ancient settlement, stone houses round a green,
Christie, Clare
away from the main road but with good transport and
facilities. 2) Bob Clow, on the Parish Council and on
management committee of village hall, former dairyman
and newsagent, now full-time youth talks about some of
the social events in the village, and the matters discussed
by the Council. 3) Patrick Mitchell, landlord of the
Gardeners' Arms. Changes in life style reflected in how
people use the pub - he offers discos, facilities for parties,
themed parties on his birthday. 4) Daphne Plumridge runs
the village Post Office; she likes dealing with the public,
welcoming newcomers, is on the Parish Council. Track 5)
Marcia Whitley, organiser of the Play Group; the
children's opportunity for mothers to meet, good relations
with the village school. 6) Christopher Smith is a cabinet
maker, specialising in furniture and windows. His father
ran the village pub. 7) Mary Broome, aged 80, all her life
in Tackley, was village for 30 years. What the village was
like when she was young - tied cottages, no piped water,
18.10.1986
25.10.1986
LT 654
People and
Places
Pishill
LT 655
People and
Places
Appletonwith-Eaton
dances in the village hall, the opening of the railway
station.
1] Introduction - the parish is called Pishill with Stonor;
Christie, Clare
derivation of the name. 2] Elizabeth Lakey at Bank Farm plans to restore it, to keep rare breeds, as far as possible
organically. 3] Penny Godfrey talks about the lively
family services the church which make it a focal point of
the village. 4] Christine Marks runs a B and B; she
describes what this entails, looking after visitors from all
over the world. 5] Tom Butcher talks about the Chilterns
Society, the village hall, bird watching. 6] At Pishill Farm,
Don Hookings talks about the work involved in restoring
the house as authentically as possible, seeking out Tudor
bricks, etc. 7] Jeremy Capon, landlord of the Crown Inn,
which has 11th century cellars, was in the fifteenth
century, and is said to be haunted. He is trying to attract
tourists as well as local people.
1] Situation of the village, peaceful although near a busy
Christie, Clare
main road. 2] Les Painter, Chairman of the Parish
Council, explains the combined parish of the two villages
only a mile apart. Eaton's award in the Best Kept Village
competition. Changes he seen; now market gardens and
nurseries have taken the place of farms. The village paper,
the Appleton Advertiser. Gives details of the main
activities in the village. 3] the Rev. Peter Wilde trained for
ordination after a career in publishing. He about special
features of the church and church attendance. 4] Ken
Langford is a saddler, making and selling saddles; was
formerly in the Horse Guards. 5] Frank White is one of
very few bell hangers in the country, following a family
trade. He how a heavy bell is hoisted to the top of a
church tower. He is a bell ringer at Appleton and at
Oxford Cathedral. 6] Bob Enstone, oldest male in the
village, talks about farming in the days of horses and
gives his [negative] impressions of his 7] Christine Harris
came to Appleton 23 years ago. As President of the
1.11.1986
8.11.1986
LT 656
People and
Places
Great Milton
LT 657
People and
Places
Noke
Village Hall committee she describes some of the
organisations that use it.
1 - An ancient village, with thatched cottages; in modern
Christie, Clare
times, proximity to the M40 brings celebrities to the
famous restaurant, Le Manoir. 2 - Gilbert and Edith
Pickett. Gilbert came to the village in 1926 to work on a
farm, but left farming and at Pressed Steel in Oxford
1929-1974. Changes in the village, work of the Parish
Council, generosity of local celebrity Tim Rice. Edith
talks about the Ladies Club for over 60's. 3 - Peter and
Helen Lawrence live at the Great House, an Elizabethan
house. He is chairman of the local history society which
records the village and the history of its buildings. 4 Joyce Chadbone describes her work as editor of monthly
Great Milton Bulletin which has Parish Council reports,
news of coming events. - Maurice Edwards succeeded his
father and sister as organist of the Methodist Chapel; has
lived in the village all his life. 6 - Sir John and Lady
Brown at Milton Lodge. Lady Brown talks about the work
of the Recreation Committee and the Parish 7 - The
interviewer talks with Emily Smith, aged 96, and Phyllis
Tame, happily settled in the old people's flats in the
village, about changes they have seen.
1) Noke is one of the 7 towns of Otmoor, 5 miles NE of
Christie Clare
Oxford, a rural oasis of 130 inhabitants. 2) Sir Vice
Marshal Jack Maggs settled in Noke after years in the Air
Force, living in 23 different houses round the world. The
village community - a no shop, church connected with that
of Islip under the patronage of Westminster Abbey. 3)
Ron Spice, at the former school house, runs a nursery
growing unusual plants for supplying to garden centres.
Travels abroad on behalf of FAO. 4) Tom Bagnall. family
came to Noke in 1929, he took over the farm from his
father 1938. Recalls running a milk round and breeding
champion cows. Went to the village school. Changes in
the village. These days, very little social life for teenagers.
15.11.1986
22.11.1986
LT 658
People and
Places
Chadlington
5) Reg and Grimshaw have been in the village for 40
years. They restored the Old Rectory. He was head of the
Art School at Oxford Polytechnic, his wife head of
Ceramics. He was Chair of the Parish Committee - the big
question was whether the M40 extension go across
Otmoor. He is Churchwarden - he and his wife often form
half the congregation. 6) Peter and Ann Brown live in a
thatched cottage; previously lived in Kenya. Life in the
village - most people go off to work every day, or are
retired. 7) Durrell, born 1907, the oldest inhabitant,
worked on the land all his life. Lost his right arm in an
accident at 16, learnt to do everything left-handed. When
he was young the lads used to cycle to other villages for
social life. Was at the village school.
Interviews with people at Chadlington, an old village, near Christie, Clare
Chipping Norton, with views of the Cotswolds and
Wychwood Forest 1) Introduction. 2) Roy Betts at his
garage, which he took over from his father in 1959; he has
enlarged it to cope with vehicles. Customers mostly local.
3) Sisters Enid and Maria Eden at Sycamore Farm; Maria,
now 86, married the son of the farm's owner. Changes to
their house, originally six cottages. Changes in the village.
4) Chadlington House Hotel converted a private house by
the owners Peter and Rita Oxford, who found the house
by chance in a newspaper advertisement. A quiet area but
not too isolated. 5) the Bakehouse belongs to the
Abbeyfield Society, which has converted it into 7 flats for
single people, one of whom, Tom Pitt, formerly a farmer,
used to own the house. He describes his life in farming
and his collection of old agricultural tools. 6) the Manor
House, home of Derek Strong and his wife Pru who was
born there, a farmers's and now farmer's wife. History of
the house and farm. 7) John and Julia Thompson - John
the Chair of Chadlington Parish Council - the questions it
has to discuss. Activities in the village; Women's Institute,
sports clubs, the Evergreens, the hall. Chadlington
29.11.1986
LT 659
People and
Places
Standlake
LT 660
People and
Places
Lapland
becoming a commuter village but retains village feeling.
House prices rising; less local employment than in the
past.
1) Describes the situation of Standlake, 5 miles from
Witney, a village with picturesque pubs and water sports.
2) Gordon Costar of Underdown Farm - in his family for
100 years. Before World War 2 a closely knit community,
mostly farms, now many moved from towns. Hard times
in the 20's and 30's. A bellringer. 3) Jack Gardiner,
formerly Head of Batt School, Witney. On Parocial
Church Council, former Churchwarden; Standlake one of
4 churches in parish of Lower Windrush. Other activities Legion, Over Sixties Club. 4) Alec Cantwell, one of 11
children in a family connected with Standlake and Cogges
for several centuries. Many of them were stone masons;
he and his brothers went into building. Life at the village
school. Recent - houses along the main streets, badly
planned, some open spaces should have been left. 5)
Arthur Giles, retired teacher, on Oxon County Council.
Local concerns - traffic lights to prevent damage by traffic
to the ancient bridge over the Thames at need for a speed
limit through the village. Involved also in education, both
the village school and the Mulberry Bush, a school for
children with serious behavioural problems. 6) Ted
Tolputt, Chair of the Parish Council, relates the long saga
of new village hall and where to put it. 7) Brenda
Edwards, Chair of the Standlake Community Craft Group,
which puts on sales twice a year. She also talks about
activities for children and young people and the elderly.
Christmas Edition of People and Places: a visit to
Lapland. Track 1: the interviewer reaches Lapland and
talks with Cedric the elf, the chief toy maker. Track 2:
Rudolf the head reindeer; his love of alcohol [red nose].
What the reindeer do for the of the year. Track 3: Miss
Clarabelle explains her work in charge of the reindeers'
stable. Track 4: Mrs. Stringent, housekeeper at Father
Christie, Clare
6.12.1986
Christie, Clare
20.12.1986
LT 661
People and
Places
East Hanney
LT 662
People and
Places
Kennington
Christmas' palace. Track 5: the Post Office, where Cynthia
Stamp and her helpers open and sort letters from Track 6:
Cyril Stitch, Father Christmas' personal tailor. Track 7:
Father Christmas. What sort of toys children like, what
happens to the spare sherry left out for him, his recent
delivery [in disguise] of toys for the Radio Oxford appeal.
Track 8: reads a short poem by Thomas Hardy.
1. A village in the Vale of White Horse, with a long
Christie, Clare
history, old houses, a school but no church. 2. Fred Carter
runs the village bakery in the 100 year old bakehouse, and
is Chair of the Parish Council. More and more people in
the village work but still a good community spirit. 3. Ann
Hewins is Secretary of the local history society and gives
interesting details of the village from Saxon times. 4. Pud
Farmer lives at the old mill; he formerly did work for
exhibitions etc in London, now sculptures out of all kinds
of materials. 5. Herbert St Pierre came to Oxon as
foreman of building of new airfields. 6. Gwen Mulford
runs the Black Horse. Changes in village social life and
drinking habits. The village church was closed because
not enough. Memories of the village school. 7. Valentine
Shadbolt, the sub-postmaster, explains how a community
shop, staffed by volunteers, is to be set up to replace the
former village shop.
1. A large village, just outside Oxford, formerly in
Christie, Clare
Berkshire, a separate civil parish since 1936. 2. Ray
Chasney took over the Tandem pub from his parents. In
the past it used to attract many walkers. 3. Trevor Cowlett,
who teaches piano and talks about the village choral
society and its wide range of public performances. The
conversation is followed by a recording of him playing an
organ piece. 4. The Vicar, Father Harry Bloomfield,
speaks about the building of the modern church and
excellent co-operation between the three churches in the
village, about the village school and the Memorial Hall. 5.
Roger Dennett, activities in the village; amateur
3.1.1987
10.1.1987
LT 663
People and
Places
Nuneham
Courtenay
LT 664
People and
Places
Yarnton
dramatics, fundraising for overseas aid, plans for the new
Village Centre, of Kennington. 6. Doris Beyer explains
how the Meals on Wheels scheme developed from the
'Good Neighbours' organisation. 7. Olga Dickinson, the
village librarian, describes how the library evolved; the
sort of books people like to borrow. 8. Pope talks about
the origins, and the concert tours and successes in
competitions, of the village youth brass band.
1 - Village 5 miles SE of Oxford, with a long history,
Christie, Clare
unspoilt except for the busy main road that runs through
it. 2 - Norman and Carol Treadwell run the village Post
Office and shop. 3 - Ronald Benson, Home Farm, Chair of
Parish Council. History the farm. The village church was
made redundant, now used by the University for storage.
In the Green Belt, so no new houses. Main concern traffic makes it difficult to cross the road, an underpass or
bypass needed. 4 - John Mattock is in his rose nursery.
The family firm, founded in 1875, grows 250-300 kinds of
rose, sold to customers all over the world. 5 - John
McCorcoran at Nuneham Park Conference Centre, housed
in a Palladian mansion built for the Earl Harcourt in 175660; entailed moving the whole village and rebuilding it on
the main road. After world War 2 the Harcourt family
chose to live in their other house at Stanton Harcourt, and
Nuneham Park became a training and then a conference
centre. 6 - Bill Bolton in a cottage on the main road,
where 12,000 vehicles pass per day. The University
improved all the cottages, installing mains water etc. 7 Jason Conway at the Harcourt pub. Changes in people's
tastes - more discerning about food and drink/driving.
1. fast growing village near Oxford; old buildings, ancient Christie, Clare
meadows, nature trails. 2. Rosalind Brain, problems gravel extraction, traffic. The Care Committee which
helps the elderly. 3. Joan Roe, keen local historian,
describes changes in the effects of the railway [closed in
1962] and the new road to Witney. The ancient custom of
17.1.1987
24.1.1987
LT 665
People and
Places
Horton cum
Studley
LT 666
People and
Places
Ducklington
drawing lots for rights to cut grass in the village meadows.
4. Rev Eric Craig, recently arrived from a parish in
Yorkshire; first impressions. 5. Gladys has lived at
Paternoster Farm since the 1920's. Stories about the
village. Many new houses; village people now mostly
commuters. 6. Dr David Patterson at Oxford Postgraduate
Centre for Hebrew Studies, housed in Yarnton Manor.
History of the Manor Work of the Centre. 7. Nigel
Wallbridge at Yarnton Nursery and Garden Centre, started
by his brother and himself in 1969.
1. One of Seven Towns of Otmoor, very quiet village in
Christie, Clare
Green Belt. (1'36) 2. Jean Wakeman, in village for 34
years; a Churchwarden. Changes in the village since
breakup of Studley Priory estate, now many commuters.
The village church, designed by with patterns of coloured
bricks. (9'30) 3. Benjamin Coles, nearly 85, the oldest
inhabitant. The village school and shop, working on
Beckley estate. (2'38) 4. Studley Priory Hotel. The
proprietor, Jeremy Park, describes the building and its
(7'40) 5. Jim Young, Manager of Warren Farm, owned by
Oxon County Council and used for training in agriculture
and farm management. Comments on organic farming.
(8'34) 6. Richard Hawes talks about the thatched village
hall and who uses it. Problems by the Parish Council.
(10'13) 7. Gordon Curtis, organist and conductor at St
Barnabas Church, describes how village people got
together to rebuild the case of the church organ and put in
new pipework. The Studley Singers, a small choir which
gives with a wide range of music. (7'44)
1. Village near Witney, with old stone houses and Norman Christie, Clare
church. (1'26) 2. Freda Best, active in the village History
Society which collects information from older inhabitants
and from Censuses etc. No manor house nor large houses,
just small farms cottages; formerly two mills on River
Windrush. (6'56) 3. Lou Gould at the Village Hall talks
about his first impressions of the village at the age of 8
31.1.1987
7.2.1987
[born in 1904]. Left school at 13, worked for the Post
Office delivering telegrams. (8'27) 4. Hudson runs the
Post Office and Stores. Passing trade disappeared with
building of by-pass. (6'21) 5. Jenny Izzard lives in a
thatched cottage that once housed two families in two
rooms. Jenny - supervisor of Play Group. (7'26) 6. Paul
Corrigan, of the Primary School. Reception class in the
Victorian school house, other classes in a new building.
(4'52) 7. Peter Boggis at Manor Farm. Changed from
dairy cows to arable, growing, among other things, peas
for canned mushy peas. (2'32) 8. Jean on the Parish
Council and editor of the bi-monthly village newspaper
(8'31).
LT 667
LT 668
LT 669
People and
Places
People and
Places
Special
People and
Places
Kirtlington
Grove
14.2.1987
1. Grove a 'village' of 10,000 people near Wantage;
expanded greatly in 1960's. 2. Maurice Bull, proprietor of
Fine Foods, talks about the traders' association. 3. Cyril
Wickham, 79, born in Grove, recalls his home, school, his
5 years' in the electricity industry, and his work at Didcot
power station. 4. The Vicar of Grove describes the church
building, the third on the site. The purpose of his message,
the choir, house groups. 5. Arthur Smith explains how the
family dairy beginning with deliveries to London by train,
developed into the company Elm Farm Dairies. 6. Liz
Farmer, member of Parish Council, talks about the village
hall, activities in the village. Most people work at Harwell
or Didcot, or commute to 7. Bill Fuller, policeman and
local historian, looks for the remaining old cottages using
old photos. History goes back to King Alfred.
1. Village 8 miles from Oxford, goes back to 6th century
BC, near pre-Roman road Akeman Street. 2. Lt-Col and
Mrs. Shellard. He describes his work as editor of the
village newspaper and as timekeeper at polo matches. The
polo club, founded in attracts teams from all over the
country. 3. Barbara and Len Berry, known as the Portway
Christie, Clare
21.2.1987
Christie, Clare
28.2.1987
LT 670
People and
Places
Stanton St.
John
LT 671
People and
Britwell
Pedlars, folk singers, perform at folk clubs and festivals,
talk about collecting old Oxfordshire songs, writing music
[Barbara] and about the traditional Lamb Ale Feast [Len].
4. Barbara and Len sing a song from their collection. 5.
Albert Edgington, born in the village; school in the 1920's,
children's games, learning to swim in the canal, leaving
school at 10 to work on farms. The village in the the
Lamb Ale Feast; his first ride in a car. 6. Enid Griffiths,
enrolling member, i.e. President, of local branch of the
Mothers' Union. What it does, who can join. 7. Andrew
Banks, architect of the new village hall, under
construction; the involvement in the planning. Is race
director of the annual triathlon, an unusual local event. 8.
Vicarage Farm - John Hunter, Chair of Parish Council.
The Council's work -traffic, the village hall, trying to
conserve the beauty of the village.
1. Pretty village, in Domesday Book, thatched cottages,
church going back to Saxon times. 2. Nigel Tucker,
landlord of Star Inn. Pub dates from 1723. 3. Les Barnes
describes the activities of the Youth Club. 4. Stanton
House, used by a Christian Warden Philip Daley. The
house provides accommodation for missionaries on leave
or retiring, and also short breaks for clergy, teachers and
others. 5. Eva Costar came to the village when she was 5
in 1917. She talks about schooldays, transport, in village
life of the family who owned Stanton House, working in
service after leaving school at 14 and the strict hierarchy
of servants. 6. Helen Robson, chair of Parish Council. The
village in a Conservation Area, thus few new houses. Not
enough so the village school was closed. Plenty of social
events, sports clubs. 7. Brenda Knight, born in the village,
President of local Women's Institute. Reminiscences of
the village Post Office and shop which her father ran.
Evacuees in World War 2. George Lees, Sub-Postmaster
and owner of village store, came to the village in 1978.
1. Small, isolated village near Watlington. Origin and
Chrisrie, Clare
7.3.1987
14.3.1987
Places
Salome
LT 672
People and
Places
Churchill
LT 673
People and
Places
Haddenham
pronunciation of its name. 2. Alan and Beryl Paul at the
Red Lion. A family pub, used also by riders and walkers
[near the Ridgeway]. 3. Kenneth and Dorothy Chapman,
living in former farmhouse in 1683. Changes in the last 20
years. Very beautiful conservation area. Kenneth - Clerk
of the Parish Meeting. 4. Biddy O'Sullivan, American, has
known the village since coming for family holiday in
1913; father a singer, mother a painter, their divided
between UK and California. Has written a book about the
village, based on research in the Bodleian, diaries. etc. 5.
Leslie Greenwood, noted painter especially of flowers,
began painting exotic flowers in India during World War
2. 6. Ivy, in the village, talks about the good spirit of
friendship and mutual help when she was young. 7. The
Priory Farm, run by Mary Roadnight, taking over from
her father; what the farm produces.
1. Between Chipping Norton and Kingham with views of
the Cotswolds. Memorial to William Smith 'Father of
British Geology'. 2, Dr Russell Rathbone and wife Cherry
live in house where Warren Hastings was born. Dr
Rathbone on committee hoping to further deterioration of
mediaeval parish church. 3. Isobel Harman, former
teacher at village school, editor of village newsletter and
leader of group of handbell ringers. Lives in house of Ann
Walters, 18th century benefactor. 4. Joan and Bill run the
post office; no shop in the village. 5. Percy Durner, aged
80, still keen on hunting after a lifetime connected with
horses, as groom and huntsman . 6. Peter Wildman, Chair
of Parish Council, talks about changes in the village and
its situation with access to Chipping Norton and Oxford.
7. Colonel Robert Hayward Lonsdale, farmer,
churchwarden, talks about the extensive repairs being
started to the parish churh, built in 1826.
1. Near Thame, old church and houses, much recent
building, population 5000. 2. Ken Duffil, Chair of Village
Society, which encourages interest in local history;
21.3.1987
28.3.1987
LT 674
People and
Places
Islip
involved in tree planting, renovation of village pond. 3.
Diana Alderson, member of Has many postcards and
photos of village buildings and rural life. Changes since
she came to the village 72 years ago. 4. John Landon leads
Haddenham Health Supporters' Group, concerned with
health education, publishing a newsletter, taking people
hospital etc. One of about 60 organisations in the village.
5. Elsie Rose describes a map of the village drawn by her
father, with information from villagers, showing the
common fields divided into strips. He published two
books, on the Village and on village life. 6. George
Taylor, postman for 36 years, always the same round, still
does it by bicycle. 7. Marilyn Gardner, youth worker.
Three clubs, meeting in purpose built centre, senior club
members help with running of clubs for younger get
experience of leadership.
1. Village near Oxford, stone houses. Birthplace of
Edward the Confessor. 2. Ray Newman and his wife at
village shop and Post Office. Member of Oxon. Village
Shopkeepers Association. 3. Bert Hughes, involved with
village football club since 1945. Aunt Sally teams at the
village pub - an Oxon. game. 4. Kate Lee, in the village
for 26 years; her husband was Vicar of the University
Church in Oxford. Activities in the village, the church and
fund raising for repairs. Edward the Confessor, born Islip,
brought up in Normandy. 5. Ted Henman at Mill Farm,
following father and grandfather. Memories of helping in
the farm when a child and going to the mill [in Domesday
Book]. On Parish Council - problems of through traffic
using narrow village 6. Don Clarke, in village 77 years,
now 79. Childhood, playing in the meadows and streets,
village school, then Technical School, going by train to
Oxford. Does superb paintings of flowers; some have
been published. The poet Robert Graves lived in village.
7. Mary Gullie, in village 60 years, the village hall, the
dramatic society. Chair of the school governors; the
4.4.1987
LT 675
People and
Places
Bodicote
LT 676
People and
Places
Stonor
school founded by a former Rector in 1710.
1. Near Banbury, much growth 1960's onwards, plenty of
facilities and activities. 2. Valerie O'Brien talks about her
voluntary work as a puppy walker, on behalf of Guide
Dogs for the Blind. 3. Diana Callant at the Manor House,
governor of village talks about charity fund raising and
about the village's housing for old people. 4. Alan
Pennington, Chair of Parish Council. Questions dealt with
by the Council - planning, street cleaning, etc. The village
hall, the many activities, play groups, shows, the church
school, etc. 5. John Blencowe, landlord of the Plough. He
and his son brew their own beer for the pub by traditional
methods. 6. John Walton has spent most of his life in
Bodicote. Life in the village when he visited his there
before World War 1. The growing of rhubarb and herbs.
7. Rev Donald Bishop. The parish church originally a
Chapel of Ease to Addington. A very good congregation,
the church involved in the community. The school named
after Bishop Loveday. A benefactor gave land on which,
with the help of a housing association, flats and
bungalows have been built for old people.
1. Village in Chilterns, best known for Stonor House, in
Christie, Clare
the same family since 12th century. 2. Maurice Hunt, born
in the village, a life spent in farming. The village in 1920s,
self contained, but now no school, no Post Office/shop. 3.
John retired to Stonor, enjoys its beauty and isolation. A
Church of England Lay Reader, much involved in services
and pastoral care at Pishill Church [no Anglican church at
Stonor]. 4. Alfred Butler, in the village 83 years. Learnt
skills of from his father including shooting vermin,
breeding pheasants and partridges for the gentry to shoot.
5. William Wagstaff, Stonor Arms Hotel. Changes in the
village, now very middle class, houses expensive. Pub
customers from a wide area, some come weekend walking
breaks in Chilterns. 6. Derek Boddy, Admininstrator of
Stonor House, talks about its history, part dating from
11.4.1987
18.4.1987
LT 677
People and
Places
Stanford in
the Vale
LT 678
People and
Places
Stonesfield
1280, its fine furniture, its connection with Edmund
Campion and other Catholic priests, the Chapel of 1280
still in use. George Breach, who lives in 16th century
farmhouse. Changes in the village - newcomers commute
to work, so not much support for village activities.
1. Ancient village, in Domesday Book, in Vale of White
Horse. 2. Post Office and Shop - Colin Dawes, member of
Parish Council. 3. Margaret Williams, Head of village
school founded 1870, 125 children, the school building
used for evening classes 4. Member of family firm of H.J.
Mapp and Son, builders, with work in Oxford, Cardiff,
Bath, etc. He talks about the changes in the village, the
very active church, flourishing shops; winner of Best Kept
Village award. 5. Wing Commander Geoff and his wife
chose Stanford for retirement after years of moving
around with RAF. Involved in setting up Neighbourhood
Watch - how it works, positive results, less vandalism and
theft. 6. Rev. Arthur Jordan, doing a job exchange,
spending long leave from Australia. His impressions of
the differences - old churches, villages very near together,
parish priest the centre of comunity life, very unlike
lonely scattered settlements in the Bush. 7. Michael
Williams, Chair of Parish Council. The village hall and
the groups that use it.
1. Old village on Akeman Street, several Roman villas
nearby, famous in 19th century for 'slate' quarrying. Good
facilities and activities. 2. George and Ted Laughton,
farming family since mid 1800's. The village in 1920's the slate industry, a life, workers digging in narrow
passageways or adits, with candles. Collecting old farm
implements, hoping to start small museum with these and
slaters' tools. 3. Richard Chancellor, Chair of Stonesfied
Society. History of the village, the slate and why it
declined, the Friendly Society, founded 1765, a forerunner
of Welfare State. 4. Canon John Grimwade. The church
and the congregation's involvement with poorer parishes
25.4.1987
2.5.1987
LT 679
People and
Places
Worminghall
LT 680
People and
Places
Adderbury
in East London and overseas. The village school. 5. Jean
Hall, of Women's Institute branch and assistant in village
shop. 6. Dominic Hamerton describes his cycle ride John
o'Groats to Land's End in aid of leukaemia research. 7.
Avis Ushaw - chair of Parish Council, as was her father.
Old village family. How village is kept clean and tidy.
1. Very quiet rural village with old cottages; fear that
proposed M40 extension will come close and spoil the
area. 2. Bob Spence, landlord of Clifton Arms, pub about
400 years old with 3 acres of land where he keeps
donkeys etc., with a children's Mixture of people in the
village, old families and newcomers. The dramatic society
- the Wormall Players. 3.Ron Parsons, farmer. Village has
1000 new houses; very different when there were no cars
and people all knew each other. Shows interviewer photos
and book with details of sale of the estate. 4. John
McMahon, churchwarden, describes the church, given to
St Frideswide's Abbey, Oxford, by the Pope 1159. The
almshouses, difficulty of finding occupants; the village
hall, formerly the since 1946 children have gone to
Ickford school. 5. Post Office and shop, run by sisters Jill
and Ann Courtley [married to brothers], working alternate
shifts. The play group, dramatic society and Thame
Players, raising money for pensioners. 6. Manning,
member of Parish Council; the village hall and who uses
it; opinions for and against M40 extension.
L Village consists of East and West Adderbury and
Twyford. Beautiful old houses, fine churches. Sports,
Morris Dancers. 2 Lt Col and Mrs Edward Hadfield,
living in house converted from stable block of Adderbury
House. History of the house and its Restoration of derelict
lakes in the grounds, now an attractive public park with
fishing. 3 Fred Falkner: schooldays in the village, the
shops and trades in the 1920's. 4 Kate Morgan village
librarian, library housed in a former school. 5 Adderbury
Farm, Michael and Margaret Stevens talk about changes
9.5.1987
16.5.1987
LT 681
LT 682
LT 683
People and
Places
People and
Places
Forest Hill
People and
Places
Kencot
Bucknell
in farming in the last 50 years. 6 Vera Wood, member of
Adderbury History Association, describes her interest in
transcribing Parish Registers and other documents.
History of the village: ironstone quarrying. 7 Chairman of
Parish Council. Adderbury has won Best Kept Village
competition several times. Clubs, sports, new youth
centre.
People and Places. Forest Hill
1. Small quiet village near Bicester. 2. Irene Prentice,
from a family of farmers in the village since 16th century.
Village fetes, Coronation celebrations, the village hall. 3.
Dr Graham Smith, Chair of Parish Council. Up to World
War 2 most worked on farms, now people commute. The
Manor became old people's home after break up of the
estate. Cleaning of the village pond, now landscaped and
stocked with fish. Hopes that M4O extension will not
disturb the village. 4. Megan Savins, of Women's Institute.
Its activities, harvest supper, bonfire party for children.
Village has PO and shop, but no school. 5. Michael
Nicholson, Manor Farm. Memories of childhood and
changes in farming. Recent restoration of parish church. 6.
Joe foreman at Manor Farm for 53 years. Effects of World
War 2 on farm, ploughing up of grassland, German
prisoners of war and Land Army girls. 7. Sam Westwood
at Trigger Pond pub. The village Morris Dancers, all
women.
1. Very attractive small village on western edge of county,
frequent winner of best kept village award. 2. Edna
Ryland - origins of the village, from Stone Age, Saxon
church, in Domesday Book. Population shrinking; village
used to have numerous and tradesmen. 3. Bill Gasson, in
the village for 64 years, his mother well known as the
district nurse. The village charities. Village gardens open
three times a year. Peace disturbed by planes from Brize
Norton. 4. Mary Foreshaw - born at has always lived on a
23.5.1987
30.5.1987
6.6.1987
LT 684
People and
Places
Milton
Heights
LT 685
People and
Places
Carterton
farm, travels around in pony and trap. 5.Brian Foster,
artist, at first painted Cotswold villages, but following
visit to East Africa turned to African wild life. 6. Richard
Fyson lives at 17th century Manor farm House, tenant
National Trust to which his childless great uncle gave it.
7. John Barstow, Chair of Parish Meeting; the whole
village can be called to make decisions especially over
planning.
1. Ian Gardner, Manager of Milton Heights residential
home for 33 adults with a wide range of mental handicaps.
Belongs to the Home Farm Trust; how the Trust began.
Plenty of activities at the home; some go to courses at the
local college. 2, Holroyd works in the garden. His hobbies
- listening to BBC, and lorries, about which he has many
magazines. 4. Charlotte works in the coffee shop, serving,
washing up, making cakes; she enjoys working with the
public. 4. Michael Carter works full in the kitchen, has
many friends in the home; goes to pub on Friday evening.
5. Louise making a wool hanging; also uses a loom and
helps explain things to others. Goes riding [Riding for the
Disabled]. 5. Howard Jones talks about his work in the
and his hobby of trains, diesel not steam. 7. Jackie
Marshall, residential social worker, in a house for the
most severely handicapped residents. Good co-operation
with parents, who come to meetings and help with fund
raising. The satisfaction of work.
Clare Christie meets some of the people who live and
Christie, Clare
work in Carterton. Origin of the village in early 20th
century, its close links with Brize Norton airbase. 1) Town
clerk Jean Moss talks about her life, work, town hall and
the town's amenities. Mayor Mary Johnson talks about her
duties - to promote the town locally and nationally.
Carterton hosts international boys' football weekend. 3)
Lester Giles, one of third generation of owners of Giles
Sport and Toy Shop, one of the largest in Oxon. Talks
about the development and expansion of the shop. Work
13.6.1987
20.6.1987
LT 686
People and
Places
Hayfield
Road, North
Oxford
LT 687
People and
Places
Cropredy
of the Chamber of Trade. 4) John Brown talks about the
early days of Carterton; he came with his war-widowed
mother just after World War One. Schooling at Brize
Norton, in motor trade at Burford, starting a garage
business, riding motor bikes, interest in Carterton history.
5) Sue Weston, supervisor of open air swimmimg pool,
talks about the pool, the swimmers and her job.
1 A street of terraced houses built in 1886 on land
belonging to St John's College. Some with gardens going
down to the Canal and Port Meadow. Convenient area for
city centre. 2 Vera and Cyril Collett. Vera has lived in the
road 79 years; in her like a little village. 3 Bob and Rita
Ayres, living in house where he was born, son of a
railway man. He remembers shops in the road, children's
activities - swimming in the Canal, fishing, cricket. 4
Doris Thicke, born in the road 74 years ago. to some
houses, cars parked outside. 5 Elspeth Buxton, writing a
history of the road for its centenary [1986], studying old
maps, college archives, old directories. 6 Bernard Davies
and Mary McDougall talk about the advantages of living
in the Bernard co-Chair of Residents' Association; its
success in persuading the Council to block one end of the
road to stop its use as a ratrun. Next concern the threat of
development on Trap Ground. 7 Tom Robinson Aladdin
Motors - effect on his trade the road closure.
1. Village recorded in Domesday Book, site of Civil War
battle. Annual concerts of Fairport Convention folk band.
2. Oldest inhabitant, Arthur Cole, nearly 103. Was
choirboy at St Paul's Cathedral. Worked as a bootmaker.
Moved to Cropredy 18 years after a life in London. 3.
Sidney Feltham, maintenance on the Oxford Canal,
responsible for upkeep. Holiday boats, fishing, no
moorings for permanent boats. 4. Stephen Jones, Vicar.
Story of the mediaeval brass lectern and of the Civil War
suit of recently stolen from the church. 5. Ivy Cherry, 84,
in the village 60 years. What it was like in the past; the
27.6.1987
Christie, Clare
4.7.1987
LT 688
People and
Places
Wytham
LT 689
People and
Places
Milton under
Wychwood
school, horses pulling boats on the canal, people helped
by village charities. Her time in service as a housemaid. 6.
Roger Cherry, only in his family not a builder, instead
went into painting. Member of history society - they have
talks in winter, footpath walks in summer. 7. Richard
Westcott runs a theatrical costume hire business.
1 Tiny village on outskirts of Oxford, mediaeval
Christie, Clare
woodland, Abbey, feudal society for centuries. The
ffennell family bequeathed the village and the woods
[used for reasearch] to Oxford university in 1956. 2 Ruth
Thomas, amateur local historian. belonged to Earls of
Abingdon, then to ffennell family. Some cottages now
lived in by former employees, others are rented, none can
be bought. 3 Bill Clark, manager of 500 year old White
Hart and angling correspondent of Radio Oxford. 4 Ann
Piper, of Parish Meeting. Post office and shop, four buses
a week, village hall. Loud noise from aircraft. 5 Jenny
Scott-Taylor lives in flat in former servants' quarters of
Wytham Abbey. Involved in Parents' Association, getting
village children together various activities - no village
school so they go to different schools. 6 Ralph Victor
Thomas worked as footman to ffennell family from 1929.
He talks about the daughter, Hazel, who put on plays with
villagers taking part. Life at the Abbey, a duties, famous
guests. 7 Michael Day, forester in Wytham Wooods.
Managing the woods to maintain a variety of habitats.
1 Village near Chipping Norton, Cotswold stone houses,
one familly of masons there since time of Elizabeth I.
Good amenities, trains to London. 2 Terry Hartley, born in
village, still living on family farm. Changes - in past
people worked on farms for Groves the builders; now new
houses for young couples and retired people, a good mix.
3 Tom Barrett describes his years working as a gas fitter
and stoker. 4 Daphne Edginton, both her and her husband
from local farming families. Daphne talks the various
organisations. 5 Violet Miles, caretaker of Village Hall for
11.7.1987
18.7.1987
LT 690
People and
Places
Alvescot
LT 691
People and
Places
People and
Places
Faringdon
LT 692
Cumnor
27 years - the groups that use it. 6 Reginald Montgomery,
Chair of Parish Council. Village has most facilities except
a school. Best Kept Village award 1965. 7 Norman Frost,
at Shipton, formerly kept post office and shop at Milton.
Founder member of local history society, collects old
photos of the area and gives slide shows.
1. Village 6 miles from Witney; history, derivation of
name. 2. Ralph Mawle, farm of 300 acres. Pretty village,
but it lost many elm trees. On Parish Council; work on
mains drainage just beginning. Postmaster died recently will they keep the Post Noise from Brize Norton. 3. Jean
and David Holder at Red Lion, busy in evenings and
holidays. 4. Hedley Peachey, 75, born in village. Worked
with father as hay trusser - he describes the work,
travelling round to farms, sleeping in barns 5. David chair
of local history group. Oakey a local name, traced the
family back to 1804. Big changes in village from World
War 2 onwards. 6. Joan Pritchard, head of school,
Victorian building. The old log book and punishment
book. School has 25 children 5-7, including some with
special needs brought in from other villages. 7. Alvescot
Lodge. Derek Dodds, Education Officer at Centre for
National Communications Union, explains what they
teach - history and purpose of trade unions, how to
negotiate, etc.
People and Places. Faringdon
1. Parish formerly in Berkshire, church, village pond,
school, a commuter village but a real community. Bear
and Ragged Staff; landlord took over what was a small
village pub, name taken from badge of Earls of Warwick,
built it up into good using local produce. 2.Dick Smith,
newsagent and village shopkeeper - a quiet village, people
work at Oxford, Abingdon, Harwell. He came from
Liverpool - people here happier, better fed, richer, but he
misses Liverpool humour. 3. Lynn and Raymond at
25.7.1987
1.8.1987
8.8.1987
LT 693
People and
Places
Blackbird
Leys, Oxford
LT 694
People and
Places
Rutland
House
Homewood Farm. Her work on Parish Council and
District Council. Fast traffic through the village, frequent
accidents. All kinds of people in the village, newcomers
welcomed. 4. Reginald Tyrrell - his life in farming. He
remembers gathering the in sheaves, leading the horses,
catching rats. 5. Frank and Elsie Suzman. He is Chair of
Parish Council; problems re building/planning, roads. Is
member of History Society. Mystery of the death of Amy
Robsart. 6. James and Ruby Oxley. Dr James, historian,
talks about Cumnor's origins, Cumnor Place [grange of
abbey of Abingdon, site of Amy Robsart's death];
documents and wills show how people lived - lists of
possessions, bequests to servants and to the church.
1. Estate started in late l950s mainly for workers at
Christie, Clare
Cowley, 10000 inhabitants at time of recording, more
houses planned. 2. Audrey Rowland, community worker
at Neighbourhood Centre, wide range of services. At
weekends the Centre resumes its as hall of Holy Family
church. 3. Rev Michael Doe, Anglican rector and
broadcaster - the church ecumenical since early 70s,
significance of its circular design, involvement with life of
the community. 4. Main shopping centre - Paul Whitman
at supermarket, competition from Sainsbury's, but he can
give more individual service. 5. Jack Argent, an original
resident; growth of the estate; the Press sometimes gives
misleading impressions of it. Chair of Cummunity
Association. 6. Gladys leader of playgroup. 7. Carmina
Adams - runs creche at Neighbourhood Centre especially
for black single parents.
1. Pam Wilde, Warden of Rutland House, therapeutic
community in North Oxford, part of Richmond
Fellowship. Up to 13 residents, a variety of problems.
Philosophy and methods of the community.l 2. Resident
Mark - why he came, problems of settling in first, the
supportive atmosphere. 3. Suzanne Withall, gardening
volunteer, decides with residents what needs doing in the
15.8.1987
22.8.1987
LT 695
People and
Places
Bladon
LT 696
People and
Places
Souldern
large garden; the benefits they gain from working there. 4.
Keiran, resident, describes the day's activities; how he has
been Soon to leave and start catering course at CFE. 5.
Kate Killingray, worked as volunteer for a year after
university, now on two year training course, helping at
community and attending classes at the Fellowship's
centre in London.
1. Old village, known for its stone and for glovemaking
done by women at home. Good facilities, many visitors to
see grave of Winston Churchill in the churchyard. Joan
Tolley, verger, keeps the church and churchyard tidy.
Born in the village, her and grandfather blakcksmiths. A
house nearby was a laundry, catering for well-off families.
2. Leslie Evans, White House pub, trade from visitors
during the day, local people in evening. Lovely village but
spoilt by traffic on busy Witney-Woodstock 3. Muriel
Clifford, born in village 1905, wrote a book about life
there in World War 1; connections of the village with
Churchill family at Blenheim Palace. 4. Mary Sitch,
village correspodent for Oxford Mail. What sort of
information she sends in. Kenneth Matthews, Chair of
Parish Council - traffic problems, safety of pedestrians. 6.
Uefan Gordon, churchwarden, her duties. She explains
why Winston Churchill wanted to be buried there and
describes the occasion and the continuing numbers of or
'pilgrims'. 7. Christopher Oliver, leader of Youth Club activities include weekend camping and pony trekking
ecxpeditions.
1. Between Banbury and Bicester, probably first settled
because of excellent spring water. Best Kept Village
awards. John Kentington, owner of Boar's Head Garage,
Chair of Parish Council - in past most people worked in
farming and horticulture. 2. Hitchman, born in village in
1904 [died 1994], worked for 48 years as gardener to Miss
Garnett, still has his own beautiful garden, describes life
in the village when he was young, the poverty, the
29.8.1987
5.9.1987
LT 697
People and
Places
Wheatley
craftsmen, village characters. 3. Paula and Robert She
talks about the outings and other activities arranged for
old people and the social club for families. 4. Ian McKay,
the Fox Inn, hoping to build up reputation in and beyond
the village for good food. 5. Joe and Paddy Talbot, in
house they from a large barn. Big garden, one of those
opened for national and local charities. He is Clerk of
Parish Council - talks about the numerous village
charities, their origins and whom they help, the Roman
Catholic presence in the past, why the is on a cul de sac,
and the route of the M40 extension. 6. Major Sandy and
Diana Gray at Souldern House; its history. The story of
'Nancy Bowles Wood' - inspired by the idea of a
'Harmony Wood' in every village, the Parish Council
asked Nancy living in the village, to sell an acre of her
land at a reasonable price, with another 2 acres later, and a
tree planting group put in trees, for the enjoyment of
present and future generations.
1. Village 5 miles from Oxford, Roman remains nearby,
mentioned in royal charter of 756, good building stone, on
former London-Worcester road so old coaching inns.
Plenty of societies, school, churches, nearness to Oxford
makes it desirable place live. Caroline Doulton, Parish
Councillor with special interest in getting people to plant
hardwood trees to replace those killed by Dutch elm
disease. 2. At the village hall - Marion Audley-Miller
talks about the Over 60's club where people can to chat
and listen to talks etc. The hall has 10 rooms, houses the
Library, various groups meet there. She and her husband
run an antique shop in Oxford High Street. 3. Helper at
the village hall, originally worked in ship building in
Glasgow. at Harwell. Involved in village football club. 4.
Pam Simmons, Clerk of the Parish Council, a very busy
job - planning applications, rates, parking. The children's
home; part of the grounds to be used for old people's flats.
5. Chair of the Society, which has annual garden party,
12.9.1987
LT 698
People and
Places
Great
Rollright
LT 699
People and
Places
Stone near
Aylesbury
monthly talks, walks, local history exhibitions. 6. Doctor
Hassall, at the Manor House, only part of the original now
standing. History of the house and village. Important
quarries, stone used at Merton Abingdon Abbey, Windsor
Castle. For centuries Wheatley was an industrial rather
than agricultural village
1. Introduction, description of village; the Rollright
Stones. Laurie Allman, Parish Councillor and estate agent
- a desirable place to live, very good school, Norman
church, happy community. House prices going up because
of nearness to M40. of Parish Council. 2. Michael
Harding, head of vllage school, 35 children, close links
with parish church, plenty of games, drama, science etc. 3.
'Ted the Bread' Deacon, delivers to several villages;
problems with snow blocking roads. On Parish secretary
of football club. 4. Maurice Prendeville, landlord of
Unicorn pub; why he moved here from London,
appreciates the communal feel and the way older people
describe their hard life in the past. 5. Carol Bower, with
husband [soldier for 19 took on the post office/shop with
no previous experience. Anticipating people's needs when
buying stock. President of local Women's Institute. 6.
Diana Davenport, custodian of Rollright Stones. Why
people visit them and the mystery of counting Her work
fostering children.
1.Yillage on busy main road 3 miles from Aylesbury. Bill
White, born in village, at village school, then worked at
his uncle's farm and in the family butchers' business.
Memories of 1930's - Silver Jubilee and Coronation
celebrations, horses and very little traffic. 2. Alan Clarke,
employed by Parish Council as Village Superintendant,
upkeep of churchyard, war memorial and village pond,
looking after small daughter while his wife works at Stoke
Mandeville Hospital; he reflects on how his has changed
after years working at the local psychiatric hospital.
3.Tom Bullock, Head of school, 240 children, part of
19.9.1987
26.9.1987
LT 700
People and
Places
East Ilsley
LT 701
People and
Places
Ramsden
building Victorian, now has swimming pool. Money
raised for charities with plays concerts, etc. Is lay reader at
village church. Joy Stallwood. third generation of her
family at the County Arms pub. Her father a very popular
landlord. The pub very basic and primitive in 1940's;
extensive renovations 1969-1970. 5. David Cooke, Rector.
Very early church, consecrated 1172 but much older.
Changes in the village - proximity to Aylesbury draws
people away; if/when the hospital closes will affect
employment. 6. Ian Baker, vet specialising in farm
animals, Chair of Parish Council. Traffic a big problem,
hopes for a bypass Village becoming more urbanised could be swallowed up by Aylesbury.
1. Village much improved since building of bypass on
A34, removing heavy traffic. Three racing stables.
Andrew Wilson, farmer, easy land to farm, free draining,
but cold in winter. Keeps four hunters for point to point
racing; riding for pleasure popular in area. 2. Deborah
Jeffson, Chair of Parish Council. Keeping the village
attractive, dealing with planning applications. Flourishing
village school, its hall used as community centre.
Volunteer group gives elderly people lifts to hospital,
them with gardening etc. 3. George Taylor describes his
life with horses in France, apprenticeship, riding in
country race meetings. 4. Maudie Cross, born in the
village, daughter of village policeman, makes soft toys for
charity. Used to organise club, wedding receptions, made
wedding cakes. Sheep fairs. 5. Alec Wister, plasterer, born
in Fife, came to Oxon for a job at Bicester, eventually
settled in county. Vice Chair of Parish Council; British
Legion and Flower Show. 6. Sue Armitage, wife, much
involved in the business; rides out with the horses every
day. Daughter races - in past no women jockeys but they
did show jumping.
1.Village near Witney, originally clearing in Wychwood
Forest. Phyllis and William Small at Middle Farm,
3.10.1987
10.10.1987
LT 702
People and
Places
Brill
derelict when they moved in, 2 foot thick walls. Activities
of local Women's Institute. 2. Robin and Michael Butler at
Lower Farm, site in Book, a working farm. Previously
worked in Oman on agricultural development. 3. George
and Elizabeth Hunting. She was born in Ramsden, then a
poor village, people lived on smallholdings, had dairy
cattle. Old cottages are being converted by He is Clerk to
Parish Council; its present concerns, what organisations
meet in the village. 4. Dr Rogers at Mount Skippett,
garden with unusual and exotic plants. 5. Rev Tony
Johnson, formerly a chemistry teacher, responsible for
several village What the church does for the community.
6. John and Elizabeth Swinburne at Singe Farm. Life of a
farmer's wife.
1.Village in Bucks, over 600 feet up; favourite place for
picnics on hill with holes dug for clay for brick making,
and windmill. Failure of plans to develop it as spa in 19th
century. Michael and Mary Cooke at
grocery/newsagency/off licence; his in trade there 200
years. Village when he was young - poor, very few had
mains water, main employment at brick works. History of
village - Roman camps nearby; kings visited for hunting
in Bernwood Forest; the spa. 2. Jan Bateson came in 1933
with husband who was Editor of Cambridge History of
English Literature and needed to be within reach of main
libraries. Primitive life, no mains water, oil lamps.
Interesting village, independent people. Changes mostly
for the better. 3. Rev Peter and Bugg, formerly worked in
Zambia. She runs children's church, provides church news
for village newsletter. 4. Freda Shipperley and her
husband born in Brill. The old people's lunch in village
hall; British Legion. 5. John Claridge at Hayloaders
produces timbers for waterways - bridges, piers, decks.
His time in Oxon and Bucks Regiment. 6. Peter and
Muriel Toynbee. The Brill Society, founded 1966,
concerned with developments in village and much
17.10.1987
LT 703
People and
Places
Little Milton
LT 704
People and
Places
Ipsden
involved in restoration and care of windmill, guides and
postcards.
1. Village 7 miles SE of Oxford, old stone houses and fine
modern ones, school, PO and shop, plenty of activities,
but plagued by heavy through traffic. Dorothy and
Edmund Brownlow. She is Clerk to Parish Council. Local
problems; was typical small since M40 construction more
commuters, motorway extension will make traffic even
worse. Activities in the village. 2. Margaret Ferguson,
President of WI - they organise Christmas party for the
children, who go to different schools. Secretary of hall,
helps with village newsletter. Raymond re-started the
youth club, is Chair of village hall committee. 3. Ernie
and Doris Stringer. Ernie 77, born in village, after school
worked in farming, then at Morris car factory at Cowley,
in building, World War 2 had to go back to Cowley to do
essential work, after war to Pressed Steel, since retirement
a gamekeeper. How people fed themselves in earlier
times. 4. Helen Maund, formerly in charge of welfare
[visiting homebound people and welfare at Holton Library
HQ. During war, drove ambulances transporting badly
wounded troops. 5. Major-General and Mrs Muriel Lunt.
After army career, became a college bursar in Oxford,
hoping to have plenty of time for his writing. His
biography of King of Jordan about to be published. 6.
Nancy Jones, village postmistress, delivering to 4 villages,
and proprietor of the only shop.
1. Collection of hamlets in Chiltern woodlands. Dr Glyn
Faithful, Chair of Parish Council, founder member of
commune at Braziers Park a house with origins 1688 and
Gothic extensions c. 1800. Since 1950s members have
farmed 50 acres and run an adult with weekend courses,
as a 'sociological experiment'. Concerns as Chair of PC; a
scattered village, more commuters, fewer children so
school at risk. 2. Martin Small at Ipsden Woodcraft cabinet maker, restores antique furniture and makes new
24.10.1987
31.10.1987
LT 705
LT 706
People and
Places
People and
Places
Mollington
Cassington
His father ran the Post Office, now his sister does 3. Brian
Penny landlord of King William pub, old building in
beautiful countryside. Collects old farming tools. 4.
Herbie and Ann Small. He was born in village, worked on
farms, especially with after World War 2 no more horses
on farms, did odd jobs, eventually set up a shop.
Collection of farm implements. 5. Reg Harman, in village
50 years. Stories of an old village character. Worked on
farms, could do shearing, shoe horses, etc. and was
poacher. Delivered free milk to Ipsden school - given by a
local family. 6. Ann Suttle, head of school, 18 children
from the various hamlets. A lovely environment to grow
up in. 7. Michael Reade and his wife at Scots Gate, named
after Scots who hid there one winter in 18th century. His
family owned various properties in the area. Family
included Charles Reade, playwright and formulator of
copyright law. Mentions the well outside the church - in
the past wells were very important water was scarce.
People and Places. Mollington.
1. Very ancient settlement - Stone Age axes, in Domesday
Book, mill on site for 1000 years, fine Norman church.
Oxford 5 miles, so many commuters, houses too
expensive for young people. School, village hall, smelly
sewage works. Martin and Linda at Wharf Farm, named
for wharf on now defunct canal. Dairy farm with Thames
and Evenlode as boundaries. Village now a dormitory;
concerns about effects of gravel extraction. 2. Roy
Partridge at Evenlode Truck Centre, supply and repair of
Mercedes also runs holiday caravan site. On Parish
Council and West Oxon Council. 3. Mavis Bowerman,
looking after over-60s meeting at village hall. Among
them, Tom Hedges - ran the village mill 1912-1960,
people used to bring grain in by horse and cart. 4. Waters
at Truck Centre explains the compulsory use of
tachygraphs in lorries. Changes in the village, loss of the
7.11.1987
14.11.1987
LT 707
People and
Places
Wootton near
Woodstock
LT 708
People and
Places
Stoke Row
railway. President of local British Legion. 5. Joan and
Max Mcrae. He founded local history society, led it for 12
years, ran out of and new members. Ancient settlement,
axes found in gravel pits, much revealed by aerial
photography. Joan continues with history of the village
from Domesday Book, the abbeys and families who
owned land, the oldest building. 6. Robert and Mary at
Old Rectory. He works for Thames Water as Sludge
Marketing Coordinator. Chair of Oxon Rural Community
Council concerned with rural transport, village halls and
shops, housing etc.
1. Old village in clearing in Wychwood Forest, first
recorded in tenth century. Thelma Kidd talks about her
teaching career in Tanzania and Zambia, and about the
annual village flower show. 2. Michael Lowe making a
lute - describes how he learnt craft. Details of wood used;
taking designs from old paintings; making sure the sound
is right. 3. Paul Oliver - does programme on BBC Radio 3
'Before the Blues'. Made recordings of music in West
Africa when there for his main job, doing
1. Linear village above Chiltern woods, near Henley.
Kevin Humphries, at post office/shop, 20 year old
temporary Postmaster. Shop useful especially for elderly
as very few buses. Nothing much in village for teenagers.
2. Joyce Fiddaman, head of school, 51 children. Children
talk about a recent Mediaeval Day and what characters
they represented. 3. Ms Willamson, Clerk of Parish
Council and trustee of the Maharajah's well. History of
villages in the area, each with its own stretch of the and
piece of woodland. Water brought from river by cart in
times of drought. The Maharajah of Benares' gift of a
well. Restoration of the well in 1970's. In past many were
employed in brick-making. 4. Percy Stallwood, born in
village 1908, his a bodger, making chair legs and tent
pegs. In 1940 the Government ordered a million pegs for
army tents. 5. Ben Salter, landlord of Crooked Billet;
21.11.1987
28.11.1987
LT 709
LT 710
LT 711
LT 712
People and
Places
People and
Places
Fulbrook
People and
Places
People and
Places
Lapland (2)
North
Moreton
Holton
remembers its use as collection centre for chair legs. Plans
to restore building to its 17th century condition.
People and Places. Fulbrook
1 Village near Wallingford, no manor house so not a
feudal community; coming of railway, became centre for
Didcot workers. Now village of commuters, but plenty of
activities. Anne Howat, Chair of Parish Council - planning
applications, allotments, Village has church, 2 pubs, play
group, club for elderly, etc. 2 Gerald Howat, historian and
cricket enthusiast, writing biography of Len Hutton.
Cricket club founded by Vicar in 1858. 3 Bud Finch, 79,
born in village, helped on his father's Learnt little at
village school. In cricket club since 1919. 4
Churchwarden: what this entails. Church a Norman
foundation, old font. 5 Landlord of Queen Victoria. Pub
has trophies for darts etc. Lovely by the Thames in
summer. Easy commuting puts house prices. 6 Ron and
Joyce Quinney. He edits North Moreton News,
information on the Parish Council, cricket club, various
organisations etc. 7 John and Sue Harris describe their old
house and garden.
5.12.1987
12.12.1987
19.12.1987
1. Village 6 miles from Oxford, remains from Iron Age,
moat of former Manor House, in Green Belt, near M40,
commuters, also farmers, village green and hall. Peter
Thomas, Head of English at Wheatley Park School, mixed
comprehensive, teaches in old block. School on large site
of former manor rebuilt in 19-20 century. Bronze Age
site, Roman skeletons, buildings of World War 2 military
hospital. 2. Rev. David Wood-Robinson, Rector. 800 year
old church, not many attend except on special Chair of
village hall comittee. 3. Jeff Hart, manager of Sports
Centre, in school grounds but open to all. 4. Roy and
Emma Pancott; he was born in village 1939. On Parish
2.1.1988
LT 713
People and
Places
LT 714
People and
Places
Council; pressure on planning. Teacher training college,
now part of many students but rather isolated from village.
Steam rally held in village last 12 years. 5. Anthea and
Richard Kemp. Richard Chair of Parish Council - M40
extension was a big issue, in the end does not affect the
village much. Live in cottage by Anthea from her greataunt. History of Holton, its name, connections with
Cromwell.
Lower
1 Visits to people and businesses in Cowley Road from
Cowley
the Plain to Princes St. Michele Harding, Committee
Road, Oxford member, E. Oxford Community Centre, describes its
many activities. 2 Ronald Curtis helps at Claimants'
Union. 3 Dino Humphries, assistant of Caribbean Focus,
making Caribbean culture known through visits to schools
etc, annual Carnival. 4 Andy, proprietor of Jamaica Eating
House, offers Jamaican style food, popular with students.
5 Bombay Emporium, Kawal Angrish and his wife,
materials for saris and blouses, jewellry, wall hangings. 6
Rev Alan Grist at Methodist Church, huge building that
also houses various charities; services in Urdu and Punjabi
for Asian Christians. Social problems, especially
homelessness. 7 Erica at her shop Bead Games, all kinds
of loose beads; how she began the business, where the
beads come from. Supplies necklaces to Harrods etc.
Member of Association of Shops in Cowley Rd/the Plain,
aim to restore the fountain at the Plain. 8 Stephen Pak
Fook Chinese restaurant, explains the basics of Chinese
cooking.
Ambrosden
1. Village near Bicester, in Domesday Book, Norman
church, remains of ancient forest. Gerald and Janet
Gaskins - he has lived in area 40 years, dairy farmer, then
at Army Depot, later railway crossing keeper. 2. Janet
Gaskins, from Inverness, locally in ATS in World War 2.
Worked in office of Garrison HQ, involved in Women's
Institute, school governor, etc. 3. Frank Leaver, head of
Five Acres Primary School, 250 children from 5 villages,
9.1.1988
16.1.1988
LT 715
People and
Places
Littlemore
high turnover of children from Army families. talks with
children about schools in Germany, Hong Kong etc. 4.
Doreen and Chris Walford; she represents Parish Coucil
on school governors. Hard for local children who make
friends with Army children who then move on. 5.
Maureen and Malcolm Relations with the garrison. The
village church used to be attended by the garrison; now
they share the RC church at the base. Changes of
commanders at base not helpful to communications
between garrison and villages. Her concerns as Vice Chair
of Council - smells from chicken farm, speeding by
commuters using village as short cut. 6. Jean Walsh,
husband sergeant at garrison. She is Girl Guide leader aims are enjoyment, learning independence, being public
spirited.
1. Village on edge of Oxford, on old road to Henley,
oldest building part ot 12th century Benedictine nunnery.
Jean Arnot, Sec of History Society - small village in
Middle Ages, much growth in 19th century with coming
of railway, laundry and mental Influence of early 19th
century Vicar Rev. J H Newman - had the church and
school built, set up a college /retreat, before he became a
Roman Catholic and eventually Cardinal. 2. Alan Noble at
Community Education site, Peers School; wide range of
sport, hobbies, education, available to all. 3. Edith
Kempson, all her life in the village - in past, carrier would
take shopping orders into town; her father worked at the
hospital 27 years, was first Union president. The laundry.
4. Police Carl Reynolds, Community Beat Officer, part of
the community, old fashioned policing on a bicycle. 5.
Fred Mogridge, Chair of Parish Council, Scout
Commissioner, involved in Youth Hostels Association.
Village amenities. The civil parish 10,000 including Rose
Hill estate within Ring Road; more expansion expected. 6.
Ron Ovendon developed business making gates from
wrought iron; a local man, father a wheelwright. Changes
23.1.1988
LT 716
People and
Places
Taynton
LT 717
People and
Places
Radley
in village; he takes photos to record e,g, demolition of
John Allen's machinery] and building of Sainsbury's.
1. Village near Burford and River Windrush, famous for
quarries that supplied stone for Oxford colleges, St Paul's
Cathedral, Blenheim Palace. No longer agricultural
community, desirable and expensive place to live. Denis
Butler, Chair of Parish Village in beautiful setting, listed
Grade 2, pub, no shop, fine church, village hall.
Christopher Wren made use of the Taynton quarries and
local masons. 2. Barry Barnes, Church Warden, history of
the church, its special features, carvings. 3. Wilson,
church organist for 35 years. 3. Phyllida Cook, a
newcomer [1960], came to know the village when
working with Mobile Library, bought a cottage without
mains water etc. Lifelong interest in hockey, was
international player. 5. Andrew Dipper restores and
conserves musical instruments. Trained in London and
Italy; why he settled in Taynton. 6. John Houlton, from
local farming family, farming until recently. Big changes
in village - used to be 4 farms, school, PO and shop, a
working carpenter, blacksmith. mechanization changed
farming. Were they good old days or bad old days?
1. Village between Kennington and Oxford, near Thames.
History of village - Bronze Age finds, changes with
coming of railway, important families, in Green Belt. 2.
Sue Shaw, editor of Radley News, what it contains. 3. Rev
Dan Pope; the church made with wooden pillars for lack
of good local stone, 15th century misericords, canopy over
pulpit came from House of Commons; the new Church
Room. 4. Ernest Stimpson, local family; gravel working
now in fields where he played as a boy. 5. Cyril Chair of
Village Hall Committee. The Good Friday walking race
from the village to the centre of Oxford and back. 6. Denis
Silk, Warden of Radley College - its foundation, premises
including an old mansion. Boys do some voluntary work
helping old in the village. School sports centre and
30.1.1988
6.2.1988
LT 718
People and
Places
Sandford St.
Martin
LT 719
People and
Places
People and
Places
Tiddington
LT 720
Begbroke
covered swimming pool available to villagers when not in
use by the boys.
1. Very small village, no shop, school, pub, not on a main
road. Dennis Jones,from old local family, always farm
labourers and gardeners; he worked as gardener at
Sandford Park. Village hasn't grown much. It used to
belong to two families, now old are privately owned. In
past - shops, mill, coal delivered by cart; now mobile post
office comes once a week for pensions etc. Church
bellringer. 2. Brandon Cole and son Charles at Brandon
farmhouse. Problems in farming, falling prices. Family
came Devon in 1880s. Charles talks about the old house,
and about Sandford's becoming a 'ghost village'. Aged 23,
he knew the village as a community, now few young
people. 3. Les West, churchwarden, farm worker.
Extensive repairs in progress to church; few come to
church, most newcomers are weekenders. Norman font,
arms of Elizabeth I on an inside wall. 4. Olive Long, in
village since 6 weeks old; organises village fetes, jumble
sales, children's Christmas party. Has fostered numerous
children. Florrie Hounslow, oldest resident, born in
village, at school there, then into domestic service. When
young, no electricity, used oil lamps, water from village
pump. 6. Charis and Arthur Stevens. She was in service
with Sir James and Lady MP for North Oxon and Chief
Whip. Her duties as parlourmaid. Arthur a carpenter.
Village was like a family, now fragmented, taken over by
weekenders and their cars. A depressing time for the
village.
People and Places. Tiddington.
1. Old village near Oxford, Norman church. Interview
with Father Pat Ryle at St Philip's Priory. History of the
Servite Order, its arrival in England, the training of
novices. Main building Jacobean, given by a local
benefactor, chapel added in 2. Barbara Gray at Priory
13.2.1988
20.2.1988
27.2.1988
LT 721
LT 722
LT 723
LT 724
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
Newington
House. Was a pupil at St Juliana's School, moved from
Bognor Regis to Begbroke during the war; trained as a
teacher and taught there before and after her marriage; her
late husband Mayor of Woodstock. 3. Ron Perry, Chair
Parish Council, led A34 Action Group in long campaign
for safer roads - eventually roundabouts installed on A34
at Yarnton and Begbroke. Involved in village sports and
social club. 4. Norman Hastings at Hall Farm, his family
there for 83 years, now only farm in the village. The
annual Corpus Christi procession through the village. The
village cricket club. 5. Sam Smith, in the village since age
11, his first job as a bird scarer. Worked as a builder.
Helped build bungalows in the village, costing £400.
Childhood, teenage tricks. 6. Celia Hutton, closely
involved in Yarnton with Begbroke Historical Society.
Village in Domesday Book; Norman church with much
good glass, especially Flemish. Curate of Begbroke 18121824 responsible for up the school, at which reading was
to be taught [and domestic skills for girls], no writing or
arithmetic as these might tempt children to go to towns
and look for jobs above their station.
People and Places Newington
5.3.1988
Kings Sutton
People and Places. Kings Sutton
12.3.1988
Sandford on
Thames
Bletchingdon
People and Places. Sandford on Thames.
19.3.1988
Conversation with members of the village of
Small, Mary
Bletchingdon. 1) Bill Howe talks about Bletchingdon
House in the 1930's, the Valentia family, and missing the
sound of the various bells. Talks about his uncle who was
a carrier and the items he brought appro' from Oxford, and
ghosts of the house and village. 2) Harry Marsden, church
warden, church history, Alms House Charity, school. 3)
Donald Norbrook talks about his house in Bletchingdon, a
party given there when the house was turned into the and
26.3.1988
LT 725
LT 726
LT 727
LT 728
LT 729
LT 730
LT 731
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
Kingham
his retirement. 4) Muriel Hodgeman talks about the
village as it is now and her career in horticulture. 5) Karen
Taylor, secretary of Bletchingdon Band, and David
Martin, conductor, talk about the band and its activities.
Hayden Brooks, tuba Frances, tenor horn, and Carl,
cornet, discuss instruments. Ted Kenny talks about his life
with the band. 6) Bill Rogers, farmer, talks about his life
in farming.
People and Places. Kingham
West Ilsley
People and Places. West Ilsley, Berkshire
9.4.1988
Wroxton
People and Places. Wroxton.
16.4.1988
Curbridge
23.4.1988
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Duns Tew
Mary Small talks to some of the residents of Curbridge. 1) Small, Mary
Peter King, Dutton's Farm, beef and sheep. Talks about
farming and the changes he's seen, sport, Beecham cottage
(named for Thomas Beecham), wartime memories,
Fairford branch railway. 2) Matthews, Caswell Farm,
moated manor house, talks about the house and moats,
former owners 3) David Walker, parish councillor,
industry and development, church repairs, traffic. 4)
Jennie Green, lived in Curbridge for 11 years, talks about
the Ladies Club. 5) Gladys Dobson, caretaker of the
parish hall (once the Methodist Chapel), talks about her
early life, the Malt House. 6) Tony Johnson, landlord of
the Merry Horn - only pub of its name in England. Talks
about the pub, the animals keep - sheep, chickens, ducks.
7) May Illingworth, lived in Curbridge most of her life,
talks about her life, schooldays, some of the cottages, the
blacksmith.
People and Places. Duns Tew
Longwick
People and Places. Longwick.
14.5.1988
Compton
People and Places. Compton
21.5.1988
2.4.1988
7.5.1988
LT 732
LT 733
LT 734
LT 735
LT 736
LT 737
LT 738
LT 739
LT 740
LT 741
LT 742
LT 743
LT 744
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
Wigginton
People and Places. Wigginton.
28.5.1988
Little
Wittenham
Longworth
People and Places. Little Wittenham
4.6.1988
People and Places. Longworth.
11.6.1988
Thrupp
People and Places. Thrupp.
18.6.1988
Edgecott
People and Places. Edgecott
25.6.1988
Church
Hanborough
Letcombe
Regis
Chacombe
People and Places. Church Hanborough
2.7.1988
People and Places. Letcombe Regis
9.7.1988
People and Places. Chacombe.
16.7.1988
Checkendon
People and Places. Checkendon
23.7.1988
Horley
People and Places. Horley
30.7.1988
Kingston
Lisle
Freeland
People and Places. Kingston Lisle
6.8.1988
People and Places. Freeland
13.8.1988
Salford
John Simpson visits the village of Salford and talks to
some of the villagers. 1) Max Humperstone, landlord of
the Black Horse ph. 3'30. 2) Hilda Cooper, lived in
Salford all her life, instrumental in getting village hall
built, worked at mill. 3) Gilly Barnard, secretary of
parochial council, bell appeal, WI, caring village. 7'18. 4)
Church. 1'51. 5) George Fawdry, dairy farmer, Village
Farm, ancient monuments, local history society. 8'28. 6)
Ken Hill, born in Salford, clerk to parish parents ran
village post office, school days, origins of children's
playground, delphiniums, parish council. 10'13. 7)
Simpson, John
10.9.1988
LT 745
LT 746
LT 747
LT 748
LT 749
LT 750
LT 751
LT 752
LT 753
LT 754
LT 755
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
Somerton
Stephen Murrell, president of local history society, how
society started, discovery of medieval building, church
bells. 8'06.
People and Places. Somerton.
Benson
People and Places. Benson
24.9.1988
South Leigh
People and Places. South Leigh
5.10.1988
Kidlington
People and Places Kidlington
12.10.1988
Enstone
People and Places. Enstone
19.10.1988
East
Hagbourne
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
Waterperry
1) Oliver St. John discusses and plays some of the old
style musical instruments he makes, and talks about his
collection of gophering irons. 2) John Napper talks about
his work as a blacksmith, mostly decorative iron work and
fireplace and his hobby of astronomy. Visit to the
observatory in his garden for which he built the telescope,
including grinding the lens. 3) Michael Taylor,
headmaster of Hagbourne School, talks about the school,
his work as headmaster, and parental 4) Margaret Abbott,
chairman of East Hagbourne parish council, talks about
the concerns of the parish council, including new road
system. 5) Cliff Garlick talks about the East Hagbourne
church bells and bell ringing.
People and Places. Waterperry.
Burford
People and Places. Burford
6.11.1988
Fringford
People and Places. Fringford
13.11.1988
Beckley
People and Places. Beckley
20.11.1988
Keble
College,
People and Places. Keble College, Oxford.
27.11.1988
Woodforde, Giles
17.9.1988
26.10.1988
26.10.1988
LT 756
LT 757
LT 758
LT 759
LT 760
LT 761
LT 762
LT 857
LT 858
LT 859
LT 860
LT 861
LT 862
LT 863
LT 864
LT 920
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
People and
Places
Oxford
Swalcliffe
People and Places. Swalcliffe.
4.12.1988
Marston
People and Places Marston
8.1.1989
Chesterton
People and Places. Chesterton
15.1.1989
Dorchester
People and Places. Dorchester
22.1.1989
County Fire
People and Places. County Fire Headquarters, Kidlington
Headquarters,
Kidlington
Bicester
People and Places. Bicester
29.1.1989
Denman
College,
Marcham
Garsington
12.2.1989
5.2.1989
People and Places. Denman College, Marcham.
People and Places. Garsington
Woodforde, Giles
19.2.1989
North Parade, People and Places. North Parade, Oxford
Oxford
Long
People and Places. Long Crendon.
Crendon
Woodstock
People and Places - Woodstock
Woodforde, Giles
26.2.1989
Woodforde, Giles
5.3.1989
Woodforde, Giles
19.3.1989
Welsh
National
Opera
Combe
Woodforde, Giles
2.4.1989
Woodforde, Giles
9.4.1989
Woodforde, Giles
16.4.1989
Woodforde, Giles
30.4.1989
Woodforde, Giles
23.4.1989
People and Places. Combe
Oxford
People and Places. Oxford Station
Station
Oxford
People and Places. Oxford Police Station
Police Station
Finstock
Interviews with some of the people of Finstock. Side 1. 1)
Roy Townsend, chairman of parish council; 2) Hilary
LT 924
People and
Places
Morcombe, talks about her sister, author Barbara Pym and
the Barbara Pym Cookbook, local history. 3) Ernie Harris,
talks about the old ways, was a prisoner of war. Side 2. 4)
Misses Madge and Ida Welton, whose father, Don, walked
from London to Finstock, aged 12, to live with his aunt. 5)
Robert Mole, history. 6) Mike Breakell, rural planning,
morris dancer.
Steeple Aston Interviews with residents of Steeple Aston. 1) Roy Kinch,
farmer, 17th C Manor Farm, stables horses, milkman,
produces village information leaflet 2) Roderick
Nicholson, tree nursery. 3) Ted Atkins, village theatre. 4)
Paul O'Sullivan, parish chairman, noise and pollution
from aircraft. 5) Charlie Preston, market gardener, talks
about his work and experiences in Italy during ww2; his
wife Vi talks about her involvement in the business. 6)
Betty Adams, lived in Steeple Aston 34 years, about her
life.
12.3.1989