You've been busy Shane. Yes, these articles brought back a lot of memories!
Roy Oliver coordinated the Poppy Drive in Stonesfield and I remember going round the village collecting for 2-3 years in a row. It took several evenings, but we knocked on every door in the village (no wonder I know Stonesfield so well). Yes, you're right Susan Oliver was his daughter and Shirley Styles his niece. I think you met Shirley's sister, Jennifer, at the Family History Day last year.
When Gisela and Ulrike were in Stonesfield, the editor (at least I think he was the editor) of the Witney Gazette lived in Stonesfield. He "interviewed" the four of us for about an hour, but was obviously so good at editing that the "article" was reduced to less than 100 words!
Also in the article about the Band Students there's another Oliver connection. Kathleen Barrett is the sister of Bernard Barrett, and I think their mother was an Oliver who married one of the Barrett boys. I think their parents were Wilf and Edith Barrett.
Thanks for visiting Mum and me when I was in Stonesfield, Shane. It was good to see you again.
Actually, I remember we have this lesser quality picture from a few years earlier, late 50's I think, but it does have full names that'll maybe help with putting names to the later, better quality, picture.
Thanks for replying and confirming some of that information, and I'm pleased to hear it brought back some memories!
Its interesting you should pick out the Stonesfield Silverband (which on a side note I'm sorry to have read has disbanded in the last 2-3 years) as per the articles below from the same 1961/1962 period it lists almost exclusively Oliver + wider Oliver family descendents involved in the running of the band. Norman Barrett as Chairman, his wife Beryl as Treasurer, R Evins, G Barrett, Doris Bright on the committee, Gillian Oliver Librarian, and we of course know that Sandra Bright was also on the band, its a good list of Oliver related involvement!
Mr R Oliver is also mentioned as the Deputy Band Master - Roy Oliver (Jennifer/Shirley's Dad) perhaps????? Was he involced with the band?
I've also managed to locate these band pictures from the same era.
1 - This is Steve Abbott and Roger Evins from 1962
2 - And a full band (really nice quality) picture fron 1963 - any names for faces here perhaps?
Various Witney Gazette Snippets 1961-1962 continued ..
1 - 02-02-1962 - Gillian Oliver and Sandra Bright (daughter of Doris Bright nee Oliver and Geoffrey Bright, the only Stonesfield man to be lost to WW2) here winning plaques their musical performances.
2 - 10-10-1961 - Timothy Evins here in a nasty firework story that thankfully ends pretty happily. Timothy is son of Roy Evins, who married Mary Barrett, the daughter of Hedley, who married Mabel Hunt, and Mabel was the daughter of Fanny Hunt nee Oliver (lots more on the messageboard about this family).
3 - 20-07-1962 - Another one of particular interest for you Barb, yes, its you again! Did you know you were in the Newspaper I wonder?
Herewith are some Witney Gazette Snippets from 1961-1962 with some our own mentioned.
These will hopefully be of interest, and certainly for one or two of our messageboard regulars!
1 - 01-09-1961 - This first item is of course your Dad Irene, William (Billy) Oliver, hope you don't mind posting, which I of course do most respectfully.
2 - Again, the 'Derek Oliver' below is of course your brother Irene - now Irene, every week the newspaper printed the winners of 'the weekly competition' - but do you know what the competition was? and what did Derek win (twice!)?
The other Oliver, David Oliver, is brother of Michael Oliver and son of Allan Oliver who are also mentioned elsewhere on the messageboard.
09-02-1962
02-03-1962
3 - 17-11-1961 - Here's one for you Barb, a group of girls doing wonderful work for the Poppy collection.
At least 3 are from the Oliver clan, Barb, you of course, Shirley Styles, daughter of Kathleen Styles nee Oliver and Susan Oliver daughter of Roy Oliver? (Kathleens brother) - can you confirm that Barb?
