People from all walks of life joined hands in a symbolic demonstration of their determination not to see acute services removed from the Banbury hospital on Sunday.
They came with placards, in specially made hats and in fancy dress from all over north Oxfordshire, south Northants, south Warwickshire and Oxford. They included Banbury Town Mayor Cllr John Donaldson and the Lord Mayor of Oxford Jim Campbell.
In a contageous spirit of unison they chanted and sang and cheered as passing motorists sounded their horns in support.
And they gave a special rendition of Happy Birthday to the man leading the fight to prevent downgrading, George Parish, chairman of the Keep the Horton General Campaign.
Mr Parish said: "Turnout has been absolutely fantastic. The people of Banbury will not stand for any cuts to services at this hospital.
"This was very much a people power event and the trust needs to sit up and take notice. We also came along today to show our support for staff at the hospital who do such a valuable job."
He said support for the hospital could not be disregarded by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust, which has proposed £1 million of cuts to services including removal of 24-hour consultant-led paediatrics and maternity, out-of-hours emergency surgery, gynaecology and trauma.
Mr Parish said: "The population of Banbury town alone has gone from 25,000 people to 46,000 so we really need these services.
"It's been marvellous today and I want to thank everyone who came along, including the Lord Mayor of Oxford. But the protest does not stop here."
The chain started at the main entrance to the hospital and went down Hightown Road around the maternity unit and behind the main hospital. It then ran past the postgraduate centre and along Oxford Road back to the main gate.
Supporters held hands for ten minutes and marked the end of the demonstration with a giant Mexican wave.
Mr Donaldson said "It really showed the level of public opinion in Banbury. We also had a lot of support from outside Banbury which is great. It's important that people outside the district appreciate how much cuts in services will affect them."
Rod and Jill Cousins of Courtington Lane, Bloxham, went to show their opposition to the trust's proposals.
Mr Cousins, 67, said: "Our daughter Abigail was taken very ill when she was five and her life was saved here. She was rushed to the Horton Hospital suffering from tracheitis and pneumonia. She is now 27 and expecting a baby herself and needs the services we depended on for her child.
"More houses are being built in Banbury and more people coming to the town. It does not make sense to remove vital medical services."
Mrs Cousins, 62, added: "After our daughter recovered she got pneumonia every month for a year and we had to come back to the Horton each time. Because of the superb service available I was able to stay with her overnight.
"We will always be grateful to the staff and services at the Horton because it's thanks to them that our daughter is here today."
Julie Moore, 38, of Cherwell Heights, Banbury, went along with her son Dean, seven, and daughter Deanne, four.
She said: "Today is such an important day. It is because of this hospital that lots of people are alive now. Many people in Banbury can't get to Oxford and they desparately need these facilties."
Maureen Hammer of King's Sutton has been fundraising for the hospital and has raised £572 so far. She was out in support to say a big thank you for care that she received at the Horton. She said: "This is my way of saying thank you to staff. I've had about six or seven operations over the years and have received so much good care."
Mr Parish is planning a march on September 29 from the Horton Hospital to People's Park. He would like people to start arriving at the hospital at 5.30pm and to be ready to march at 6pm.
"I may have reached official retirement age of 65 but there is no way I am retiring from the campaign to save the Horton Hospital," he said.