Witney High Street. Close inspection of this charming postcard reveals some of the numerous ways in which people and goods were carried in the first decade of the 20th century. The solidly built horse-drawn dray, ironically pictured here outside a temperance hotel, belonged to Hitchman’s brewery, a long-established Chipping Norton company. With branches in Worcester, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Blockley, Evesham and Oxford, Hitchman’s drays must have been a common sight gently winding their way along the county’s roads. Hitchman’s brewery closed in 1932, having been a major employer in Chipping Norton since 1796.

Burford High Street. This sepia photograph was taken outside the Tolsey on meet day. The meet was a regular event, and the huntsman’s horn was often heard between November and March. Children were allowed to follow the hunt on foot or by bicycle, as long as they kept quiet and did not get in the way.

Carrier's carts. During Victorian and Edwardian times, carrier's carts provided a vital means of transportation and communication between villages and towns. North Oxfordshire was no exception, with the people of Banburyshire making regular use of carrier's carts to travel to Banbury to exchange goods and news. One of the many carriers was William Gregory Bason, pictured here in 1908 outside St Mary's church in Banbury. William Bason's regular service connected Milton, Adderbury, and Banbury.

Red Cross collection. Posted in Chipping Norton in June 1915, this postcard shows Red Cross nurses collecting funds during World War One. Funds collected were used by the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide relief to prisoners of war, and many Red Cross parcels were sent to such prisoners. The two boys at the front look as if they are ready to enlist. Maybe their country called upon them later on in life when once again the world was at war.

Salford. This superb old photograph was taken in 1908. It gives an insight into working-class folk; characters of a bygone age. This was a village gathering, a time to join together in sharing a social life but the photograph clearly captures the individuality of the club members.

Chipping Norton High Street, around 1908. In this rare photographic postcard it looks as if the whole town has stopped their daily business to come and look at an electric light standard that has been knocked over by a motorcar. For the moment however, the townsfolk's interest seems to lie more in the opportunity to be in a photograph than with the fallen light.