Easter bonnet contests were a winner for families

Easter was a busy time for Oxford Mail photographers as they toured the city and county covering seasonal events. Teachers, parents, youth club organisers and plenty more were keen to see their seasonal activities published in the paper. The picture above was taken at the Easter bonnet competition at the Bear & Ragged Staff pub at Cumnor in 1972.

There was much debate about what bird was perching on winner Pam Montague’s head in the middle of the picture. Eventually, after regulars had put forward various ideas, a decision was made - it was a White Suffolk. Plenty disagreed, but that was the verdict of the majority and it was judged correct – unless anyone has other ideas! Second place went to Jan Deakin, right, in a hat decorated with painted eggs.



Joan Stockford, left, was also among the contestants. Five-year-old David Morris, in the lower picture, was one of five entrants in an Easter bonnet competition at Berinsfield. We don’t know the date, but it was certainly in the 1980s.

David didn’t win, but certainly a lot of effort went into creating his zany house hat. And there was no doubt about who was wearing it - as you can see, David’s name was prominently displayed on the rim. The winner of the competition was six-year-old Matthew Simmons, of Lodden Avenue, Berinsfield, in what was described as a blue bunny He had constructed it in papier-mache over two balloons, with a little help from his mum, Denise.

Sadly, we don’t have a picture of him and his headgear. Matthew received a mug and an Easter egg and the other entrants, including David, were given chocolate cream eggs. Organisers were surprised that the competition attracted only five entries – after all, Berinsfield, at that time, had a younger population than anywhere else in Oxfordshire.

But as the Oxford Mail pointed out in one of its Easter editions, “the ingenuity and effort that went into the assorted and colourful headgear more than made up for the dearth of entries”. Children weren’t the only ones that day to be reminded that Easter was near – at least one adult won a prize too. Joan Randall, of Colwell Road, Berinsfield, went home with a giant egg she won in the draw.

The Bear & Ragged Staff is a gastro pub featuring ancient fireplaces, flagstone floors and mullioned windows with carved lintels. Its website says: “ A comfortable eatery, conservatory and South-facing terrace provide spaces for every mood – and winding stairs lead to cosy bedrooms with old oak doorways and beamed ceilings.”.