Bicester History Nerd

World War I

Bicester’s Great War

We follow the course of the First World War by looking at the individual stories of some of the local men who fought and died in the conflict.

Bicester

Smallpox in Bicester

In August 1863 it was reported that smallpox had broken out in Bicester Market End and that the Pest House was full of patients.

Local Villages

Drifts Stop Firemen from Saving Country Mansion

Godington Hall was gutted by fire during one of the harshest winters of the 20th century, while firemen and their vehicles were stuck in 7ft snowdrifts only a mile away.

Royal

Bicester’s Jubilee Celebrations

Bicester was not behind any town in its decorations, illuminations or celebrations in honour of the Royal Silver Jubilee.

Royal

Proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II

Despite the short notice, the Proclamation ceremony at Bicester on Friday morning attracted a large crowd to the Market Square.

People

The Representation of Weston-on-the-Green

Mr Bayley proposed that a casual vacancy be declared at Weston-on-the-Green since the present representative, Lord Valentia, had attended only one Council meeting in the previous twelve months.

People

Death of Mr E. Slater-Harrison

It is with profound regret that we record the death of Mr E. Slater-Harrison, of Shelswell Park, which took place on Monday afternoon at his residence, after a few weeks’ illness.

Recreation

Boy Scouts at Camp

The Bicester, Stratton Audley, Newton Purcell, and Bucknell scouts encamped one weekend at Dimmocks Farm.

People

Earthstoppers’ Dinner at Bicester

The annual dinner to the earthstoppers and keepers in the Bicester country of the Bicester and Warden Hill Hunt was held at the King’s Arms Hotel, Bicester, in 1911.

Crime

Horsehair Theft

Back in 1911 John Martin, Leonard Terry and Thomas Wenman were indicted for stealing a quantity of horsehair, valued at six shillings, by cutting it directly off the horses.

Religion

Bicester Congregational Church Anniversary Services

Principal Mitchell was received with loud applause. His lecture was a long one, but was listened to with the utmost attention.

Top of the Town

Tin Town

A row of cottages on Banbury Road had to be re-roofed with metal sheets after the railway arrived.

People

Why He Joined the Army

One young man's experience of life in the military.

People

The Page-Turners of Ambrosden Park

The Page-Turner family have come a long way from their early days building wealth with the East India Company. Their local estates no longer exist, but there are still plenty of signs of the impact they had on the local area.

Military

Pilot-Sergeant Killed in Air Tragedy

Pilot-Sergeant S.J. Ower died in an unfortunate and unexplained accident whilst on a training flight at RAF Upper Heyford in 1936.

Events

Old Folks’ Dinner at Bicester

In 1911 seventy years had elapsed since the old folks of Bicester first met in an annual happy re-union, and the old institution was as popular as ever.

Education

Founding the National Schools

The foundation stone of Bicester's National Schools was laid on Tuesday 6th July 1858. A day that was so important to the local community that the whole town closed down for the afternoon to celebrate.

Religion

Bicester’s Saxon Saint

St Edburg is the patron saint of St Edburg's church and Bicester Priory. But who was she, and how does she relate to Bicester?

Victorian Era

Bicester in the 1870s

Fred Hudson's memories of Bicester in the 1870s.

Events

Eights Week at Oxford

Reverend Cowland-Cooper talks about his experiences of Eights Week in 1905.

People

James Jagger, Demon Raiser

James Jagger found a talent for dabbling in the supernatural, but lived to regret it.

Local Villages

Unknown Man Found Dead in a Field

An unknown man, who had nothing but 2s 6d and a few meagre possessions, was found dead in an abandoned building near Lower Heyford.

People

Tragedy of a Gifted Actor

The murder of local actor, George Rose, in 1988 led to St Peter's Church in Bucknell receiving a substantial bequest.

Education

St Edburg’s Church’s Chained Library

In 1671 Rev. Samuel Blackwell started a school in St Edburg’s Church and started building a library of books for the boys to learn from.

People

The Fatal Accident of Thomas Phillips

Thomas Phillips' tragic end demonstrates that sometimes curiosity can be a bad thing.