Wheatley Village Memories
We’ve all got memories of growing up in Wheatley… what are yours? Or your grandmother’s? Get in touch if you’d like to share them…
MEMORIES OF ROSIE JEFFS (1906-1988)
The pony and trap. In the days before the motor car and buses came to Wheatley this was an important method of transport. Wheatley had a carrier, Mr Washington, who would visit Oxford to shop on behalf of the villagers. Rosie’s grandmother had her own and would drive round the village collecting the rents from the properties which she owned and would sometimes take paying passengers to Oxford. “We collected fodder for the horses from the grass verges and spread it out in the lane to dry and eventually formed it into a hayrick”.
MEMORIES OF A YOUNG PAT JEFFS (ROSIE’S SON)
The railway – (an important part of the village from 1864 – 1964), the streams of men walking past the house to catch the train to work in Cowley and the sounds of the trains as they passed by.
MEMORIES OF KATH HILLSDON (NEE SHORTER) BORN 1934
The water pump used by the village before mains water was laid on and then her mother bringing water from a neighbour who had her own supply.
(Fred Naish remembered there were four Parish Pumps. Number 1 by the Chapel, Number 2 Bell Lane by the Infants School, Number 3 by the Manor House in the High Street, Number 4 Blenheim Lane)
THE MORRIS MEN AND BOYS - 1970 onwards
Traditionally there has been a longstanding Morris side in Wheatley who had their own tradition ie. dances which were specific to the village. However they were disbanded in the 19th century when the bagman ran off with the money!! In the 1970s Jon Drake, Gareth Morris, Mick Jones and a group of other enthusiasts revived the tradition and the side became one of the highlights of Wheatley celebrations. Later they were supplemented by the boy’s side who were taught by Gareth.
MAYDAY CELEBRATIONS
The Morris Men led the parade to the Manor House garden (subsequently the Church Road rec) followed by the Lord and Lady of the Garland and a long procession of children carrying garlands of flowers which they had made earlier in the morning. It was an amazing sight to see. The celebrations continued with Maypole dancing, singing of the Mayday song, Morris dancing and country dancing by everyone. The tradition continues today but in a somewhat diluted form.
Traditionally, on Mayday, children processed in pairs carrying a hoop garland of spring flowers and greenery between them. They were led by a 'Lord and Lady of the Garland' around the village to the Maypole. This custom was observed in Wheatley up to 1920 when 'children brought garlands into the village, (ref. Folklore 1929, p.82) The Wheatley Society revived this custom in 1976.
MEMORIES OF ROSIE JEFFS (1906-1988)
Silent film shows in the Merry Bells. Rosie was a proficient pianist and accompanied the films with appropriate music depending on the mood of the film.
Rosie lived with her grandmother, Sarah Parsons, as a child in Stile Cottage, Farm Close Lane.
