Many of us have enjoyed a stroll across Port Meadow in Oxford, admiring the numerous animals, historic buildings in the distance and boats cruising past.

Etched in some readers’ minds are the horse races which attracted large crowds to this normally peaceful venue once a year.

Horse racing was revived there in 1980 by the Sheriff of Oxford, Dr Frank Garside, after a gap of 100 years.

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Modern day punters would turn out in force to bet on the runners, then watch with excitement as they and their jockeys raced around the course to the finishing line.

Local firms sponsored the races, putting up several hundred pounds in prize money.

By 1986, the event had become so popular that it was attracting riders and horses from other parts of the country.

That was not good news for bookmakers, who took a hammering when substantial bets were put on horses they knew nothing about and punters cleaned up when their favourites won.

Earlier, Port Meadow had hosted horse racing for more than two centuries. As far back as 1630, there are records of the sport being promoted there and it grew to become very popular.

By 1680, the race meetings had become an annual event. For two or three days every year until 1880, Port Meadow and Wolvercote Common were given over to the Oxford Races.

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A two-mile course was marked out in a pear-shaped sweep from the River Thames to Wolvercote Green and back.

Large crowds flocked to watch the races, which became so popular that when the railway reached Oxford, parties would travel from London to enjoy the occasion.

According to one 18th century eye-witness, the races attracted more people from the nobility and gentry than any event in memory.

It was reported that some high-class racegoers ordered their hairdressers to travel from London to Oxford to keep them in trim.

In 1985, there was a threat of traffic crossing the famous meadow after plans were announced to expand Medley Boat Station on the Thames.

One Saturday local residents realised they had to make their views known - by staging not a blockade but a gentle “declaration of disapproval”.

The placards they displayed said it all - ‘No cars on common land’, ‘No encroachment on Port Meadow’ and a rather cheeky one, ‘Bollards to the bollards’.

The purpose of the protest was to draw attention to a forthcoming public inquiry over new plans for the boat station – and to help raise cash for lawyers to put the objectors’ case.

Boatyard owner Brian Crittenden was seeking Government permission for fuel and storage tanks, a gravel car park and bollards around the site and along the track leading to it.

The bollards were particularly controversial, with objectors claiming they would spoil the historic meadow.

The plans had aroused sharp criticism from the Wolvercote Commoners,

In recent years, Port Meadow has been used by environmental protesters, campaigning against Thames Water.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.