Update from SPAJERS

it is the perfect vehicle to not only prompt events and activities within the village, but also to enhance community spirit and well-being. 

SPAJERS – a major village charity also has as its main aim, supporting the local community.

Those of us on the committee, are often asked by the general public, exactly what SPAJERS means! – it is of course an acronym and quite a mouthful! – The Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing! In other words, pram racing or as it’s known in the village – The Shirt Race! The event has been taking place in the village for over seventy years.

The first race took place the same year as the late Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953! The village gas man John Quick, farmer Doug Read, and fishmonger Paul Bovington dreamed up the idea of a pram race to celebrate the Royal Occasion.

The race involves teams of two or more, often in fancy dress pushing a non-powered contraption around a pre-designated route in the centre of the village, having to stop at various refreshment stations along the way, taking care not to spill any of the liquid on their ‘shirts'. Hence the races name! There is always a terrific variety of ‘chariots’ made by both children and adults alike.

The event takes place each year on the second bank holiday in May. This year’s event was another huge success made only possible with the help of over 70 volunteers who marshalled the course and rattled donation buckets.

This year’s event organiser, Lewis Jenkins commented: ‘It was fabulous to see the community once again come together to support this wonderful village tradition. It could simply not happen without the help of many volunteers and the local highways authority. Everyone seemed to have a really marvellous time, which makes the effort of organising such an event, very worthwhile.’

Over the years the charity has also organised other events, including a Donkey Derby on Sandfords Field, Fireworks Display and Josie’s Draw. Raffle tickets are sold prior to each event and all the profits raised by SPAJERS benefit more than 250 pensioners in Bampton and the neighbouring village of Lew.

A steam train outing for pensioners in the village is being planned for August 6th. 

The next SPAJERS event will be The Donkey Derby on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August in Sandfords Field – 2pm until 5pm.

If you would like to join the SPAJERS committee, please contact the Chairman, Nick Rivett at: chair.spajers@gmail.com