IT WAS a Victorian fair that had something for everyone.

Villagers at Horspath, near Oxford, turned the clock back for an early autumn celebration every year.

But it wouldn’t have happened without the inspiration of the local Scout troop, and particularly Scout leader Frederick Butler.

Various village groups organised their own fundraising activities during the year – the Scouts, for example, held an annual fete.

But Mr Butler decided it would be a good idea for the whole village to join together for one big event.

A meeting was held and a majority of villagers were in agreement, and that paved the way for what became part of Horspath’s life – the Victorian street fair.

For one Saturday in late September, the whole village turned back the years to a time when television, cars and space exploration were a distant dream.

These pictures were taken at the first fair in 1965 and at subsequent fairs in 1967 and 1968.

Much to the surprise of the organisers, many villagers went to great lengths to dress up.

As he prepared for the 1968 fair, Mr Butler said: “If you get people in costume, it makes the atmosphere much friendlier. The whole effect is really gay.

“For the second year, we decided to hold a ball, asking everyone to dress up. To our surprise, more than 80 per cent of people did, and it was a marvellous success.”

For the men, it was a case of dragging out the dress suit bought for weddings and funerals, but the women were far more elaborate. Many made their own dresses and hats.

The 1967 fair raised more than £200 to be shared by village groups, justifying the organisers’ belief that it was better to have one large event than a string of little ones.

Mr Butler said all groups had needs – the Scouts wanted a Scout hut and the school wanted a swimming pool – and were likely to get money more quickly.

He said: “We try to make it a joint, concerted effort, with villagers and schoolchildren. And we hope that by having the street fair, we are making a social function and fulfilling a purpose.”

The 1968 fair, the fourth, began with a procession of floats, vintage cars and horse-drawn carriages, led by the Oxfordshire Cadet Force band.