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Our tales about Oxford’s June Fine reminded one reader of the 365 days when there turned into great hilarity at the occasion.
Organisers decided that 12 groups would compete in two leagues in a sequence of ‘mock sports’ – balloon-popping, skittles, obstacle and egg and spoon races and ‘rat-killing’.
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The no longer going competitors had been to be councillors, site visitors wardens, the Haloes (representing the Church), solicitors, doctors, bus drivers and groups from Oxford United, British Leyland, Oxford College of Extra Education, Ind Coope brewery, Radio Oxford and the Oxford Mail.
The 2 groups in the final on the ragged market space at the Oxpens in Oxford could well per chance be in admire dress and wearing frogmen’s slippers.
We had been unable to find any pictures of the occasion in 1976, but our reader, who doesn’t give his or her name, remembers it being great fun.
A publicity ogle forward of the comely mentioned that 95 organisations, mainly charities, would contain stalls and there could well per chance be “heaps in your complete family to finish and revel in”.
It added: “Stalls will offer dwelling-made muffins and jam, garden manufacture, crops, toys and books. Whenever you happen to revel in eating, the food will likely be varied and delicious, including kebabs, a sheep roast and bar snacks.
“The children can contain a scoot on the roundabouts, or hear to a narrative in the library van. There’ll likely be Punch and Judy, the Oxford College morris men and an ever-current metal band.
“Many diversified crafts, including glass-blowing, potting and silver-smithing, will likely be demonstrated, with items on sale at the craft comely.”
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Referring to the mock sports, it added: “Many of the competitors will likely be celebrated Oxford folk. All are sincere sportsmen, titillating to win themselves involved in all kinds of capers for the entertainment of the crowd and the merely of the trigger. This could well all be great fun.”
The grasp of ceremonies for the afternoon turned into to be Humphrey Carpenter, the ragged Radio Oxford presenter.
Mr Carpenter turned into also a properly-known author who wrote a biography of JRR Tolkien, and a book in regards to the Inklings, the literary personnel Tolkien turned into a member of.
The old 365 days, the June Fine had raised greater than £1,000 for charities, and those to show pride in the 1976 comely had been mentally handicapped children in Oxfordshire.
The main June Fine had been held in 1971 after Vera Jefferson, a staunch employee for Cheshire Properties, realised the risk of the Oxpens market space for a fundraising occasion.
Six associates joined her and so they formed a committee to plan the main and subsequent gala’s.
Charities and various groups having stalls saved 80 per cent of their takings and gave 20 per cent to the June Fine central fund, for distribution to noteworthy causes across town and county.
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Concerning the author
Andy is the Alternate and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and in addition that it’s essential to well join to his newsletters at free of fee right here.
He joined the personnel greater than twenty years in the past and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
His Alternate and Tourism e-newsletter is released each Saturday morning.
That you can additionally read his weekly Visitors and Transport e-newsletter.