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.

The alleged “inappropriate” incident is said to have happened at the racing event in Berkshire in 2002, The Sunday Times reported.

Royal Ascot is a cornerstone of the royal family’s summer calendar, and Queen Elizabeth II was also at the event in 2002, the year of her Golden Jubilee.

The Sunday Times said it is not clear whether the claim about alleged inappropriate behaviour by Andrew was reported to officers at the time or more recently.

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A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We cannot go into specifics of the investigation, but we are following all reasonable lines of inquiry.”

The force, which covers Windsor and Ascot in Berkshire, is continuing its investigation into the former duke and on Friday it was confirmed they will consider allegations of sexual misconduct in their inquiry into potential misconduct in public office.

Detectives at TVP are understood to be concerned that the public believes they are only focused on accusations that Andrew shared information while a trade envoy, when in fact the legal terms of the offence under investigation are much broader.

The former prince served as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011, when he stepped down amid controversy over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

He has denied any wrongdoing over his links to the convicted sex offender.

TVP’s major investigation is expected to be lengthy, and will face obstacles including trying to prove whether Andrew held a public office at the time of the allegations, something that is not clearly legally defined.

However, it is understood that if this were found not to be the case, the force would continue investigating any evidence of other, separate offences.

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19 and interviewed under caution before being released under investigation.

Searches were also carried out at his former homes in Windsor and Norfolk.

Detectives are understood to be working through evidence recovered during the operation.

They have also made a formal request to the United States Department of Justice for the original versions of the Epstein files, but have not yet received any information.

The 4pm showing of Dreamers will take place at The Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford on Saturday, May 23, ahead of Pride Month.

Asylum Welcome is organising the event to support LOCS (LGBTQIA+ Oxfordshire Community Support), their dedicated group for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants.

Beth Nichol, women’s rights and inclusion coordinator at Asylum Welcome, said: “Over the past six months, the size of the LOCS community has expanded from 13 to 40 participants and is continuing to grow fast.

“Our support for LGBTQ+ refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants has expanded far beyond a support group.”

Ms Nichol said further funding was essential to keep the project running.

She added: “To make this service sustainable, we need more funds.

“Operating at the intersection of anti-queer and anti-migrant prejudices can make traditional fundraising a challenge.

“There are very few grants that we are eligible for, and those are massively oversubscribed.

“This is why we are looking to expand into grassroots fundraising and awareness-raising.”

Written and directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor, Dreamers is set within the UK immigration detention system and explores themes of queer love, friendship and solidarity.

The film was described by The Independent as ‘the most striking British debut of 2025’.

LOCS provides a crucial network of support for people facing discrimination due to both their sexual or gender identity and their immigration status.

The group offers safe spaces, social opportunities and practical help for its members.

One member said: “Asylum Welcome has always felt like a family to me.

“Before LOCS started, I struggled for months to find a supportive space for queer immigrants in Oxfordshire.

“I wish this project had existed when I first arrived.

“Now my goal is to help make everyone who joins us feel included.”

The screening also aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, many of whom have fled countries where they experienced state-sponsored persecution as well as violence and rejection from their families and communities.

A representative from The Ultimate Picture Palace said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this screening of Dreamers in partnership with Asylum Welcome, whose vital work we are proud to support.

“Cultural venues like ours have a responsibility to stand alongside the local charities and organisations working hard to make a difference in our community.”

Attendees will hear an introduction about Asylum Welcome’s work and learn how they can support LGBTQ+ people seeking sanctuary and rebuilding their lives in Oxfordshire.