VILLAGERS in Old Marston, in Oxford, gathered to celebrate times past as a new clock was installed on the village hall.

The new timepiece was bought in memory of James Edward Busfield, a former chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council.

Mr Busfield, known as Ted, and his wife Ruth lived in the village for nearly 40 years, and their three children wanted to buy something to commemorate their love of Old Marston.

Daughter Gillian Wilson said: “My parents lived in Old Marston from 1968 until 2003 – my father died in 2000 and my mother in 2003.

“My father was a member of the parish council for some years, and was engineer and surveyor for Bullingdon Rural Council from 1947 until 1977.”

Mrs Wilson added: “My brother Malcolm, sister Joan and I wanted to donate something to Old Marston in their memory, as my father would have been 100 last year and my mother this year.

“We contacted the parish council to ask if there was anything they needed for the parish and the clock was their suggestion.

“Since my father liked clocks, we thought it was an excellent idea.”

Attending the unveiling on Tuesday was Roy Garner, who worked as clerk to the parish council for 40 years.

He spoke a few words in honour of Mr Busfield.

He said: “It was a very poignant ceremony and appropriate that his services to Old Marston should be recognised in this way.

“I first met Mr Busfield in 1954 on the Bullingdon Rural Council and we were colleagues right through until the 1970s.

“Our friendship continued after then until his eventual retirement from the parish council.”

Also attending the event were members of the parish council, many of whom knew the Busfield family.

Parish clerk Kate Stratford said: “Old Marston is very pleased to have the new clock, it is a great enhancement to the village.”

And council chairman Charlie Haynes said: “It was a really lovely occasion.

“Mortimer Hall is the centre of our village so the clock is in a prominent position on the east-facing wall. “Mr Busfield was very well respected in Old Marston, so it is fitting that he should have been honoured with something that means so much.”

He added: “And people have already complimented about how good it looks.”