Page 53 - Phonebox Magazine January 2007

with both combatants; thus their brewers and farmers did not have to depend on covert smuggling to secure a decent living, and the middlemen of the Bailiwick did exceedingly well on their modest sixpence in the pound. (the language used works out very close to two and a half per cent). The day of the annual Bull-Read became a festive event and traders along with jugglers, pick-pockets and other social necessities abounded. ‘Leap- Frog’ or something very like was a major sporting event and was run over various courses some of which involved high hurdles. There is an interesting description of a lady named Aelberta who was much respected by
reason of being the regional champion arm- wrestler. Sexism was seemingly rife and the men folk resented the very thought of a woman getting the better of them; the outcome was a number of deformed limbs while Aelberta continued to roll ‘em over.
A pleasant post script to the boundary negotiations took place a few years later. Even a man of Alfred’s habitual good health could not live forever and he died on 26th October 899. The funeral in Winchester was attended by (Father) Heddon along with two monks from Brixworth and five worthy citizens from Olney. A further little matter of interest to be gleaned from the accounts of that event
relates to Christmas. Whereas by the beginning of November (the funeral took place on the fourth), we nowadays start thinking forward to Christmas those people were remembering the feast as having been left several weeks behind; they were party to the belief that Christ was born on September 15th which particular belief still has many adherents in this twenty-first century. n
For the present Frank and Oleg have asked me to join them in hoping you all had a splendid and intelligent Christmas, not a mere outbreak of spend and indulge. GB
geoff.bacchus@btopenworld.com
We can distribute your leaflets with Phonebox ring 01234 713298 for details
Souls of Olney
All makes servicing
Olney Archaeological Society
Programme 2006
Tuesday mornings 10am – 12 noon at The Olney Centre
9th Jan – Julian Hunt – Buckinghamshire Civil War
23rd Jan – Maggie Boxer – Punic & Roman Tunisia
6th Feb – Linda Amas & Ann Burrows – Life & Death in Ancient Egypt
27th Feb – Liz Friendship-Taylor – Romans & Anglo Saxons in the local area
13th Mar – Peter Wescombe – The Stowe Dynasty: from Triumph to Disaster
27th Mar – Isobel Righinioti – Philip of Macedonia: Tomb & Treasures
17th Apr – Barry Horne – An Iron Age ‘Des Res’
24th Apr – Sue Content – Anglo Saxons & 18th Century Antiquarians
1st May – Roger Scanlan – Thatching & its Traditions
15th May – Stephen Young – Whitehall Farm Roman Villa & Landscape Project: an update
5th Jun – AGM – plus report on Northumbria trip
12th Jun – Summer Tea
Visitors welcome: £3 each per session (includes coffee/tea & biscuit).
Why travel all the way to Bedford/Northampton/Milton Keynes when you can get your car serviced locally?
Did you know that provided we fit genuine Manufacturer parts your new or used car warranty remains valid thanks to the EU Block Exemption Ruling of 2004.
Service oil and filter change starts from as little as £75
And we will collect & deliver, vacuum & wash and give you local family friendly service.
MOT’s While U Wait or again we collect and deliver Call Souls on 01234 712592
For that better service you have been looking for
Souls of Olney 13-19 High Street South, Olney
Tel: 01234 712592
WE ARE HERE
A509
To Stoke Goldington
To M.K. & N'Pagnell Church
OLNEY
High Street
Market Sq.
Want to see more? visit our website: www.souls.co.uk
Phonebox Magazine 53