The Annual Shirt Race

The Eynsham Carnival Shirt Race started in 1959 and has been held every year since. In 1959 the official 'Starter-Upper' was Bill Allsworth, a well-loved resident of the village.  Bill continued in this role until 1998 and in 1999 Peter Ackling took over the duties of 'Starter-Upper' The 'Starter-Upper' role is now looked after by Shirley King.(our own "Aunt Sally" assisted by Eileen Mace -Worzel Gummidge).

There are quite a few pram races around the country but Eynsham has retained the original name.

On Carnival Day 25-30 pairs of entrants assemble at the Bartholomew School Lay-by on Witney Road, dressed in incredible fancy dress costumes.  Each pair has a non-motorised, wheeled vehicle decorated in keeping with the their costumes.

When the race starts one member of the team rides in the vehicle and the other member pushes him to the next stop, the Swan, where the pusher drinks half a pint of beer or fizzy soft drink, and changes places with the rider.  The new pusher takes the vehicle with the new rider on to the Jolly Sportsman where he drinks another half, and once again pusher and rider change places.  This continues to the Sports and Social Club, the Red Lion, the Queens Head, the Newlands Inn, finishing at the White Hart Inn.  At every stop a half is drunk before the pair carry on (not complying with this, will have you disqualified.)