These nine young girls stood in a line, no doubt holding their breath and with fingers crossed, as the gymnast flew above them.

David Williams’s high-flying act was one of the attractions at the Sheriff of Oxford’s Races at Port Meadow in 1982.

The horse races were a tradition from Victorian times revived by the Sheriff, Frank Garside, in 1980.

The third event, in 1982 when this picture was taken, provided a day of fun for families and even perhaps a flutter on the horses.

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It was opened by Queenie Hamilton, the Sheriff that year, who arrived in a pony and trap to the cheers of the crowd of more than 5,000.

The day included a display by Blackbird Leys gymnasts, morris dancing, traditional music from the Caledonian Pipe Band, charity stalls, bars and a fun fair.

Local companies had given £1,000 in sponsorship money to cover the prize money for the eight horse races, entertainment and the £100 prize draw.

Parking receipts contributed more than £2,000, and several hundred people paid an extra £5 for a plush seat in the vice-presidents’ enclosure.

Organisers judged the day as highly successful, with thousands of pounds raised for various charities.

Punters would turn out to bet on horses, then watch with excitement as their jockeys raced around the circuit to the finishing line.

By 1986, the event had become so popular that it was attracting riders and horses from other parts of the country.

That year, local riders were totally out of luck.

All seven races were won by outsiders, and even the locals’ race was won by a rider from Buckinghamshire. Sometimes the bookies took a hammering. Often substantial bets were placed on horses they knew nothing about.