Banbury Triathlon, which took place on Sunday, May 17, attracted 250 athletes from across the country for a morning of swimming, cycling, and running at the Woodgreen Leisure Centre.

The event also served as the first official engagement for Banbury Town Mayor, Councillor Mark Cherry, who welcomed participants to the town.

Race director Greg Heath praised the spirit of teamwork behind the event.

He said: “To Team Cherwell Triathlon Club and everyone who made Banbury Triathlon such a fun, friendly and successful event, I thank you.

“Everyone, without exception, contributed to make our event so very special.”

More than 40 people joined Nicole Croft in support of Freddie’s Future Bone Cancer Research, helping to raise what is expected to exceed £10,000.

Nicole Croft, who led the fundraising team, said: “I feel like I am still pinching myself that all those people really did this for our charity.

“I am absolutely blown away, and I honestly can’t thank all my teams and Sibford School enough for making it such a huge event and so much fun.”

Thames21, an environmental charity focused on protecting rivers and waterways, was also supported through the triathlon.

Claire Robertson of Thames21 said: “We had a fantastic day swimming, running and cycling in support of the River Cherwell and other local rivers and streams.

“The amount we’ve raised is enough to pay for six months of water testing kits for community groups to test pollution in rivers.”

The Oxfordshire care homes have been taking part in the hospice’s ’50 for 50′ campaign, which encourages the community to support Sobell House with fundraising and events marking its half-century of care.

At Marston Court, a choir of 50 people performed songs of friendship and care, followed by an afternoon tea.

Sharon Fenn, home manager at Marston Court, said: “We were absolutely blown away by the incredible turnout for the 50 for 50 celebrations, marking 50 fantastic years of Sobell House.

“We decided to bring together a 50-strong choir to sing some much-loved classics, including You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman and Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles.

“What better way to combine our passion for singing with supporting such a wonderful cause.

“Thank you to everyone who attended, and a very special thank you to the Oxford City Singers for helping make the day so memorable.”

At Westgate House, residents created a ’50’-shaped mural decorated with handmade oven-clay flowers.

Daniela Midwinter, home manager at Westgate House, said: “Our residents wanted to create something truly special to celebrate 50 years of Sobell House.

“So they made a ‘50’ mural decorated with hand-crafted flowers made from oven clay.

“Flowers represent care, compassion, and remembrance, which felt a fitting way to mark such an important milestone.”

Beth Marsh, director of fundraising at Sobell House, visited both care homes to see the efforts involving residents, families, and teams.

Children would spend weeks collecting the tiny coins – worth a quarter of an old penny – and hand them over to benefit other children at the ‘Whitsun Farthings’ ceremony.

After the farthing ceased to be legal tender in 1961, other coins were accepted at the Whit Tuesday gift service.

Afterwards, the children would take part in a procession out of the cathedral, many holding colourful banners of their school, church or parish.

Whitsun is the name for the holy day of Pentecost. It falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter and marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.

Picture 1 from 1974 shows the Bishop, the Right Rev Kenneth Woollcombe, after he had received £1,000 to equip a school in Bangladesh.

More than 1,000 children attended a service at the cathedral, with two children from every school or church handing over money.

As you can see, the Bishop was being greeted like a leading footballer – everyone anxious to get his signature!

The children in Picture 2 were among 800 who presented money to the Right Rev Patrick Rodger for local youngsters with speech difficulties in 1979.

Children in Picture 2 were among 800 who presented money to the Right Rev Patrick Rodger for local youngsters with speech difficulties in 1979. (Image: Oxford Mail)

Folk singer and songwriter Maria Barton in Picture 3 performed at the 1981 gift service.

More than 800 children, parents and teachers attended that year, presenting money to support the Children’s Society which ran children’s homes and nurseries and was celebrating its centenary.

Folk singer and songwriter Maria Barton in Picture 3 performed at the 1981 gift service. (Image: Oxford Mail)

The money was to be used to support the society’s activities and to contribute towards holidays for deprived children.

The service in 1965 attracted 900 children, some of them in Picture 4, who gave Dr Harry Carpenter contributions towards new church buildings.

The service in 1965 attracted 900 children, some of them in Picture 4, who gave Dr Harry Carpenter contributions towards new church buildings. (Image: Oxford Mail)

Dr Carpenter was also in charge in 1969 when more than 1,000 children and their parents attended, some of them in Picture 5. The Children’s Society was the beneficiary that year.

Dr Carpenter was also in charge in 1969 when more than 1,000 children and their parents attended, some of them in Picture 5. (Image: Oxford Mail)

Picture 6 dates from 1976 when money went towards buying a £2,200 minibus for students at a theological college in New Guinea.

Picture 6 dates from 1976 when money went towards buying a £2,200 minibus for students at a theological college in New Guinea. Dr Woollcombe is seen with Jane Enticott, from Abingdon. (Image: Oxford Mail)

Dr Woollcombe is seen with Jane Enticott, from Abingdon.