OXFORDSHIRE CUSTOMS, SPORTS AND TRADITIONS

Carefree days are captured in this nostalgic collection of archive pictures ranging from the Sealed Knot Society re-enactment of the Civil War, Cropredy Village Fair with people in period costume, street parties, beauty queens, children at an indoor party on Coronation Day, pipe bands in the 1969 Oxford Scouts' Carnival procession along the High Street, and a skilful 89 year old concertina player. The village of Headington can claim to be the centre of a renaissance in Morris dancing. See also the Pooh-Stick Championships, late Victorians enjoying a trip to Uffington Castle near the famous White Horse ancient chalk figure in the 1890s, a Plough Mundy party, and a visit from the Bishop of Oxford. Some of these activities like May Morning and Beating the Bounds go back for centuries but have been altered and adapted over the years. The pub game Aunt Sally is unusual and the last 50 years has seen an unprecedented number of new leisure pursuits for all huge fun and bringing the community together, and many are great charity fund raisers. Here are the funfairs, festivals, celebrations and exhibitions, games and shows, fêtes and carnivals, each one a unique celebration of Oxfordshire's heritage. Hugely nostalgic, 128pp in large softback, hundreds of photos.