When children offered farthings to the Bishop of Oxford

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.