A dancing dinosaur and community heroes: Here are 10 Banburyshire stories from 2020 that will make you smile
Yes, 2020 has been a terrible year, but there is still room for hope.
By Matt Elofson
Published 29th Dec 2020, 18:43 BST
Updated 29th Dec 2020, 18:50 BST
Every year we put together a review of the year for the Banbury area. Admittedly things have been a bit different for most people in 2020. So we thought it was best to reflect on the things that have made us smile.
Here's to a happy 2021!
5. Banbury area school girl cycles more than 300 miles during lockdown for charity
A Banbury area school girl cycled more than 300 miles for charity during the first Covid-19 lockdown over the summer. Jorgie Gillett, a then 8-year-old pupil from Middleton Cheney Primary School, launched a cycle challenge on May 1 to benefit the charity, Dementia Oxfordshire. She smashed her 250-mile target and cycled 331 miles between May 1 and August 31. She also smashed her £250 fundraising target and raised £798 for Dementia Oxfordshire. Jorgie's mother, Esme, said: "We’re really proud that she wants to raise money for others during this unsettling time. It's great she wants to get out on the bike rather than sitting around, watching TV. She cycled around the local villages with her dad (Michael Gillett), who is a member of Banbury Star Cycling Club. Her longest ride was 18 miles, and she managed to do it in a impressive 1 hour 32 minutes." (photo submitted by the family)
6. Bodicote boy enjoys normal Christmas after year battling rare form of bone cancer
Seven year old Freddie Croft of Bodicote has enjoyed a normal Christmas after a year spent battling a rare form of bone cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma. Freddie spent months going to and from hospital for chemotherapy and other taxing treatments and his parents, Nicole and William shared his care with looking after their other two children. Freddie was well enough to join a new school in September where his teacher, Wendy Price, designed a Christmas card which has helped the family raise thousands for research into this very rare and aggressive form of cancer. Nicole Croft, Freddie's mum, said: "Covid makes everyone feel gloomy, but for us, seeing him so happy and well is the best Christmas present we could wish for. I hope it can warm some people’s hearts - health is so important. We are so glad to see his usual self this year. He is running, shouting, play fighting with his brothers - all the things a seven-year-old should do. He still gets tired easily and we still jump at every single ache and pain, as it is a wa
Villagers unite to help couple after house fire near Banbury. Julie Richards and her partner, Paul Murray, arrived back to Hornton to find their Grade 2-listed thatched cottage ablaze and surrounded by firemen. She said friends and neighbours rallied round – with money, accommodation and help - to an amazing extent. Julie added: “I just can’t thank the village enough. How can you describe Hornton? Fantastic, fabulous. I’ve lived here for 15 years and the people have been wonderful, all pulling together when times need it. They really pulled out all the stops.” At least six appliances from multiple fire services tackled the fire. The village lost electricity for some hours during the firefighting operation. A fundraising campaign was launched by the Hornton Village Parish Council for the couple – who were left with the clothes on their backs after the fire. Julie said even though the couple were insured, almost everything in the house was destroyed. The fundraising campaign raised more than £3,600 for the co
8. Banbury United and Brackley Town put together great runs in the FA Cup
In a great moment for local football, both Banbury United and Brackley Town put together great runs in the FA Cup. Banbury United's 2-1 win over Bury Town in October was an historic moment as it was the first time the club made the first round proper in almost half a century.
But they went out of the competition after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Canvey Island. Brackley Town went one stage further - their penalty shootout win over Bishop's Stortford earned them a trip to Tranmere Rover's Prenton Park in the second round. Aiming to reach the FA Cup third round for the first time in 130 years, Brackley were beaten 1-0 in a tie screened live on the BBC in November. (Photo: Landers scores the winning goal to put Banbury United through to the first round of the FA Cup.)