This page remembers people of Somerton who are no longer with us. It is not a full list, and it never will be. It began with the tributes published in the Valley News and with names suggested by villagers, and it will grow as more people send us their memories.
Out of respect for families, the list does not include anyone who died in the last two years. We are very happy to add someone who died more recently if their family would like them to be included.
Where a tribute was published in the Valley News, we link to the issue so that you can read it in full, in the words of the family and friends who wrote it.
- Malcolm Arnold
- One of the founders of Somerton Social Club. With Jerry Grant and Charles Newey he built the first version of the bar, and a bell at the bar is now dedicated to his memory. Valley News, Aug 2023, p.25
- Jim Barbour The Coach House
- Originally from Glasgow, he worked for Jersey Manor Farm.
- Dennis and Kay Barker Heyford Road
- Jean Bird died 2024
- She came to Somerton around the end of the 1970s, lived at the Railway Inn and later in Dovecote Lane. Her stall at the Christmas Bazaar was always overloaded, and she held a fete in her garden to raise money for the first play area. Valley News tribute, Feb 2024, p.20
- Frank (Francis Ivor) Brain 1937 to 2023
- Remembered as ‘the Great Frankie Brain’, a name given to him as a schoolboy by Rev. E. P. Baker, the last rector to live in the old rectory, who was in awe of his gift for fixing things. Valley News tribute, Aug 2023, p.26
- Ray Brookfield died 2016
- Heyford Road. Valley News, Feb 2016, p.21
- James Caldwell The old pub
- Ray (Raymond Tuckwell) Clare 1923 to 2014
- Rectory Farm. He served on Somerton Parish Council from 1980 to 2005. Valley News tribute, Aug 2014, p.21
- Ann Cooper, née Giles born 1935
- Lived at Station House for the first 20 years of her life, where her father Ted Giles was the GWR signalman. She went on to be Woodstock Town Clerk and a councillor. Valley News tribute, Feb 2014, p.10
- Robin and Anne Corner Anne 1933 to 2017
- Jersey Manor Farm. Valley News, Anne, Dec 2017, p.17
- Sybil and Nancy Emberlin
- Of the Emberlin family, who bought most of the Jersey estate in Somerton. The Emberlin sisters’ bequest in 2008 paid for damp-proofing work at St James’s Church, and the village show still awards the Emberlin Cup. Valley News, Apr 2015, p.20
- Albert Fox
- Church organist and railway expert. His memories of the last trains at Somerton station are on our railway page.
- Frank Gardner Adams Cottages
- He worked for the Browns’ farm.
- Win Gardner Adams Cottages
- She worked for Jersey Manor Farm.
- John Gattley
- Chairman of the Village Produce Association.
- Graham Ginger West View
- Daryl Lee Grant Walnut Rise
- Died aged 17. Bells 1 and 2 of St James’s were given by the Grant family in his memory. See The Church Bells.
- Jeremy (Jerry) Grant Walnut Rise, later Barford St Michael
- As chairman of the Social Club he helped build the first version of the bar.
- Ivor Guntrip died 2013, aged 93
- A long-term resident of Aston View, who moved to America on his retirement to be near his family. Valley News tribute, Oct 2013, p.17
- Chris and Mary Hall-Craggs Walnut Rise
- Mary was treasurer of the Village Produce Association.
- Timothy Leon died 2010
- Fermor House. A writer, buried in Somerton churchyard. New cushions for all the pews in St James’s were given in his memory. Valley News, Feb 2011, p.4
- Don (Donald Henry) Lydiatt 1928 to 2013
- Born at No. 1 New Buildings, Aston View, the son of Tom and Ida Lydiatt. Remembered as an ‘Old Somertonian’. Valley News tribute, Feb 2014, p.19
- Brenda Moignard, née Lydiatt died 2021
- Born at No. 1 New Buildings (now Aston View), the eighth of ten children, and a pupil at the village school. She shared her school memories with us; see School Days. Valley News tribute, Oct 2021, p.25
- Charles Newey
- Formerly of Yew Tree Cottage, later of Deddington. He came up with the idea for what is now Deddington Farmers’ Market, and helped build the first version of the Social Club bar.
- Valerie Newey died 2014
- Formerly of Somerton, later of Chipping Norton. A parish councillor, a member of the Base Liaison Committee and a great supporter of the newly formed Social Club. Valley News tribute, Oct 2014, p.21
- Violet Plumb Church Street
- Churchwarden of St James’s.
- Rod Risbridger
- One of the founders of Somerton Social Club.
- Harry Smee died 2023
- The Old Rectory. With Henry Macrory he wrote Gunpowder & Glory, the life of Frank Brock of the Brock fireworks family. The bells were rung half muffled for his funeral. Valley News, Aug 2023, p.24
- Ethel Smith
- She ran the Sunday school and the May Day parade. The village show still awards the Ethel Smith Cup for the best Victoria sandwich.
- Monty and Sheila Stevens Water Lane
- Sheila shared her memories of the village school; see School Days and The Turf Maze.
Can you add a name?
If you would like someone to be remembered here, or have a correction, a memory or a photograph to share, please use the form below or our contact page. We will always check with you before adding anything about a family.
Tributes: The Valley News, the magazine for the Cherwell Valley villages, archive of past issues.