2003 Annual Reunion

On Saturday May 3rd 2003 members and friends met at the newly opened Banbury Museum in Oxfordshire for our Annual Reunion.

The meeting was officially opened in the Educational Room by Mrs. Barbara Kent and Mr. Ian Wagstaffe gave a short insight into the Wagstaffes of the area. Then we were able to go through the Societies Records as well as look at details of the many Wagstaffes of Banburyshire. We were very pleased to welcome a number of local Wagstaffes who live in Banbury. It was really great catching up with old friends as well as bringing additional information to the gathering.

At 12.00 o’clock we were joined by Mr. Brian Little of the Banbury Historical Society who in the afternoon would be taking us on a historical tour of old Banbury.

Over a splendid Buffet Lunch put on by The Café Quay Mr. Little joined our members in casual conversation. After lunch many members took advantage of visiting the museum where on display was a “Token” issued by James Wagstaffe in 1651, it reads ”James Wagstaffe a fleur de lys” and on the reverse “In Banbury 1651” James Wagstaffe was the first Licencee of the Fleur de Lis in Broad Lane/ Broad Street 1651-1675. In fact one of present Banbury Wagstaffes who was visiting us actually had a token of the same date.

After lunch we gathered together and with Mr. Little at the helm we proceeded out of the Castle Quay Shopping Centre and into the overcast streets of Banbury. Starting in the Market Square up to Broad Street where we stopped at the Fleur de Lis. It is unfortunate that over the years the frontage of the Inn had change drastically until it was closed in 1974.

Passing through some of the little alleys which spread out from the main streets, we crossed over the Market place taking note where the original “Banbury Cross” stood.

Then up Parsons Street to the Reindeer Inn circa 1570, here we entered The Globe Room which has very elaborate panelling. We sat around the impressive table and were shown a number of old pictures of the town centre.

Passing out through The Reindeer we proceeded up to The Horse Fair, then into St. Mary’s Church. After coming out of St. Mary’s the Friends Meeting House was pointed out, as James Wagstaffe of the Fleur de Lis was one of the main leaders in the 1660s. Passing the “Victorian Banbury Cross” we proceeded back to the Museum where the members stocked up with “Banbury Cakes” for the journey home. Some members stopped over till Sunday, maybe to take advantage of a walk along the Oxford Canal being led by Mr. Brian Little.

Apart from a slight drizzle the day went off very well.

William Wagstaffe of Banbury

During the recent 2003 reunion at Banbury, one of the local Wagstaffe family namely Arthur Wagstaffe surprised the gathering by showing a Token Halfpenny dated 1688.

This token was issued by William Wagstaffe of The Fleur de Lis Inn Banbury in 1688. William was the son of the first licensee of the Fleur de Lis, his father was James who also issued Tokens One of these tokens from James can be seen in the Banbury Museum. The Token had been given to Arthur, who was a member of our Society in the past by a friend of his; Arthur has since rejoined the society.

Wagstaffe Token (front)

Wagstaffe Token (back)