A PAGEANT was held in the village in 1963. Some of the players are seen in the picture parading through the streets in costume on their way to Dorchester Abbey.

Athlete Barbara Young had plenty of admirers when she took part in the annual sports at Abbey Secondary School in 1956. She is shown clearing the 4ft 6in high bar to win the girls’ open high jump.

In 1980, Dorchester was named the best medium-sized village in Oxfordshire’s Best Kept Village Competition. County council chairman Richard Norman, left, is seen presenting the Marlborough Trophy to parish council chairman Edward Jones.