TVOTV October 2026 Issue 8

Village Voice 50 Years at the Heart of the Village of the T h e Marsh Gibbon Newsletter October 2026 Issue 8 From the extraordinary 1970s steam rallies that helped build it to the 1980s discos, 1990s roller skating and countless village gatherings, the Village Hall has been making memories for 50 years. We look back at some of those memories and at the anniversary celebrations that took place one sunny day in July.

The converted bus shelter next to the school started as a Wildlife Hub, sharing information and ideas about helping wildlife on our doorsteps. When villagers suggested adding a book swap, we did, and it has proved very popular. Lots of people already help with the Hub and with wildlife around the village in all sorts of ways. We’d love to build on that by bringing people together through a Wildlife & Community Hub Group, helping to look after the Hub and turn good ideas for local wildlife into action. You don’t need any special skills. You might have an idea, be happy to lend a hand occasionally, want to help organise something, or simply fancy getting involved. We thought we’d start with an informal get- together to share ideas and see where it takes us: The Plough Wednesday 11 November th Come along for a drink and a chat and help shape what happens next. There’s no commitment, just a chance to find out more and see where you might like to get involved. Contact Kath Pullen on 07449 976908 if you can’t make it and have ideas. Welcome If you would like to contribute an idea or article, or you have a business in Marsh Gibbon and you would like to sponsor or advertise in future issues, please email: marshgibbonvoice@gmail.com Deadline for next issue: 31 March 2027 st This newsletter is printed on 100% recycled stock using sustainable printing processes described as ‘carbon neutral’. The printing costs of TVOTV are supported through regular financial contributions by: MG Village Hall, MG Parish Council, Ewelme Almshouse Charity, MG Short Mat Bowls Club, MG Horticultural Society, Crafty Gibbons, MG Badminton Club and local businesses. Kath Pullen Could you be part of our Wildlife & Community Hub? I feel like “that’s a wrap” is very appropriate after the season we have just had. It started with that first heatwave back in May (little did we know then that there would be several more), closely followed by five weeks of not quite enough sleep due to FIFA World Cup matches at odd hours (many shown in the Village Hall and the Sports Club), a wonderful day in July celebrating 50 years since the opening of our fabulous Village Hall, and then of course MarshFest in August which was surely the best one yet (or do I say that every year?). And finally, the Horti Soceity’s Autumn Show was stunning and made me determined to enter at least one class at the Spring Show next year. And of course we have a new vicar in the village - Revd David Kaboleh, licensed as our new Rector at a special service in April when torrential rain came just as the Bishop of Buckingham’s sermon turned to the idea of spiritual ‘thirst’. As always, there has been plenty of sport played with much enthusiasm on the field, mat, course and court - as well as at the 19 hole. Well done to everyone who took part. th Plenty more to read about - I’ve barely scratched the surface... enjoy! With Vikki Heath at The Manor, saying thank you for a generous £400 donation towards TVOTV printing costs from funds raised at the Midsummer Gig in the Garden.

We also got to do some amazing trips, including going on safari, snorkelling, visiting a coffee plantation and hiking to a waterfall. Seeing the animals on safari was probably one of my favourite parts of the trip. Overall, it was a really busy few weeks, but I learnt a lot, met some great people and had an experience I definitely won’t forget. Thanks to everyone in the village that supported my fundraising efforts at the Manor Farm Barn and Christmas Farmers’ Market. This summer I spent 27 nights in Tanzania on a trip organised by my school and Camps International , which was definitely one of the most different experiences I’ve ever had. We did a lot of volun- teering projects, which were hard work but really rewarding, and we got to see what everyday life is like there. The living con- ditions and food were definitely challenging at times, but it was all part of the experience and something I’ll remember. Trip of a Lifetime Tobias Callum (pictured above) went on the same trip to Tanzania, and also thanks everyone who helped make it possible. Callum raised funds through a sponsored walk at Snowdonia, car boot sales, gardening jobs around the village, and selling handmade record clocks. This year marks 50 years since Marsh Gibbon Village Hall opened its doors - five decades of clubs, parties, celebra- tions, meetings and countless village memories. The hall's story goes back even further. The independent charity that runs it today was established under a Trust Deed in 1964 for the benefit of Marsh Gibbon and the surrounding area. M any people don't realise that the Village Hall is not owned by the Parish Council and remains entirely volunteer-run. Celebrating 50 Years Villagers with longstanding links to the Hall and wider village life were invited to a special afternoon tea and a talk on the 1970s Steam Rallies that funded the Hall.

And with tens of thousands of people, there was the small issue of toilets. Derek Leonard dug a trench and a toilet block was simply placed on top. Meanwhile, the catering team cooked two whole oxen, 10 turkeys and 2,000 sausages each year, with the Mayors of Buckingham and Aylesbury declaring the oxen ready for carving on the first day. Camaraderie, chaos and a lasting legacy Vikki Heath remembers the steam engines arriving at The Manor. Her father, Edward Benfield, was Chair of the Village Hall committee and the driving force behind the steam rallies held in 1971, 1972 and 1973 which raised £21,000 for a new hall (about £250,000 today). Vikki asked Roy Herring, one of the organisers, to share his memories. The crowds exceeded every expectation, growing from about 31,000 visitors at the first rally to around 50,000 over the final weekend. As numbers grew, so did the logistics. Extra fields had to be opened for parking, cars were abandoned and people even started walking across fields to get in without paying! Traditional skills were at the heart of it. Roy Lambourne described running the country crafts area, demon- strating his blacksmithing skills and fixing machinery when needed, while Charles and Margaret Hughes recalled making corn dollies. There were also horses-drawn carts and heavy horses. age taking on an enormous challenge, learning as it went and discovering what could be achieved when everyone worked towards the same goal. By the mid-1960s, the old Hall was in disrepair. Fundraising was struggling to keep pace with rising building costs. Edward Benfield and his friend Paul Yardley approached Roy Herring and his brother Robert, both involved with the Banbury Steam Club. Their answer was ambitious: not simply a display of machinery, but a working steam rally. Donkey derbies, a motorcycle event and dances raised the start-up money to avoid borrowing from the bank. It was a remarkable leap of faith – and it paid off. R oy particularly remembers the contribution of Rectory Close’s new residents. In what was still largely a farming community, their office skills and access to technology proved invaluable: designing posters, putting them up on the London Underground and even studying historical Met Office records to choose the best weekend to hold the event. Want to hear more? We’re holding a second talk and showing archive films on Saturday 24th October from 3.30pm, £5 per person (numbers limited, scan QR code for tickets). Not everything ran smoothly. During an aircraft display, a biplane came rather too close to the horses, sending them into a panic, while a hot-air balloon launch was disrupted by a sudden change of wind. In 1973, 30 exhibitors simply turned up ‘on spec’. And Roy recalled one whole ox on a spit being spoilt when the man turning it overnight fell asleep after one beer too many. I t was chaotic, ambitious and occasionally a little hair-raising, but somehow the people of the village pulled it off. And what a legacy they left: a Village Hall that has brought people together for 50 years, a testament to their determination and ingenuity. When Roy Herring looks back on the Steam Rallies, he remembers far more than trac- tion engines. He remembers a vill- How three extraordinary steam rallies helped build Marsh Gibbon Village Hall

The health and safety arrangements may be more thorough, but the Hall is still giving villagers plenty to remember. In another thirty or forty years’ time, no doubt today’s regulars will be looking back just as fondly on Pop Inns, Farmers’ Markets, MarshFests and anniversary celebration outfits! By the 1990s, the Hall was entertaining a new generation with roller discos during the school holidays, and once again it was the place to be! For many local residents, the liveliest memories of the Village Hall date back to the 1980s. Once a month, the Sports Club Friday night Judge Disco drew crowds from surrounding towns and villages. Behind the decks was Chalky White from Ludgershall. as successful at matchmaking as they were at fundraising. The proceeds helped pay for the sports pavilion at the recreation ground, still in use today. The evening always ended with Hi Ho Silver Lining , when the dance floor filled with people singing along and carrying friends on their shoulders. Friday Night Fever, Marsh Gibbon Style Still Gr ovy in 2026! Still Gr ovy in 2026! Still Gr ovy in 2026! T he Hall would be packed to the rafters, with its capacity tested to the extreme - different times when nobody gave too much thought to risk assessments. Local bouncers manned the doors, controlling entry and occasionally ‘persuading’ less welcome visitors