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AROUND THE SHIRES
GIFFORDS CIRCUS THE FIRST TEN YEARS
ALL ABOARD! OXFORDSHIRE BROWNIES TAKE OVER FIRST GREAT WESTERN TRAIN FOR SPECIAL GIRL-ONLY TRIP
Hundreds of Oxfordshire Brownies took to the tracks for a specially commissioned train journey to London to mark 100 years of the Brownies. Platforms at Charlbury and Oxford became a sea of yellow as 600 girls and their leaders took part in a funfilled adventure in London last month for the special journey to London Paddington. The girls were greeted on arrival by some very special guests including Chief Guide Gill Slocombe. Brownie Poppy Howard, from the 1st Bletchington Brownies said: “It has been really special as we have met other Brownies and been to see Buckingham Palace. Brownie Rosalind Aumonier, of the 1st Steeple Aston Brownies, said: “It is good to be a Brownie. We do lots of fun things, lots of activities and meet new people.” Sophie Gallow from the 9th Banbury (St Pauls) Brownies, added: “At Brownies you get to help other people and have fun. My favourite... things are singing songs and playing games.” For more information about Girlguiding in Oxfordshire visit www.oxfordshiregirlguiding.org.uk left: Maddy Blake and Katie Neal, wearing 50’s and 70’s uniforms
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JUNE 2014
Back in 2004 I remember attending Tysoe Village fete and witnessing part of Giffords Circus on the village playing fields. Most of the audience were a bit subdued as it had been raining continuously during the day and spirits were low. There was however, an amazing transformation when a young lady appeared on the back of a ‘painted’ circus horse and proceeded to perform many an acrobatic feat - very professionally. This was, I now realise, Nell Gifford and part of her ‘fledgling’ Giffords Circus. I remember being struck by the performance at the time and I am not surprised by the mounting popularity the show has created.The book: ‘Giffords Circus The First Ten Years’ details PUB CRICKET For those of you who enjoy a spot of ‘social’ cricket, the Village Pub Cricket League is up and running again. The league is a great way to enjoy some fun cricket, especially if the weather is good. The league revolves around the villages of Balscote,
the rise of the circus with all the trials and tribulations associated with such a venture. The book is wonderfully produced with colour images adorning nearly every page of the 250 that it runs to. Drawing on a colourful tradition of music hall and entertainment, the book is a riotous recollection of all things unusual… Hardback 250 pages, £25 ISBN 978 0 7524 8918 6 Epwell, Horley, Hornton, Shenington, Shutford and Wroxton with all matches being played at the Wroxton cricket ground, Horley Road, Wroxton on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The league enjoys some unusual rules - a limit on the number of runs a batsman can make (25); all players must bowl at least an over, no LBWs and no player can be out first ball! The games consist of 20 overs and all are welcome. For more information email: cricket@centre-p.co.uk or call Ian Sloane on 01869 338866