When the Oxford CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) branch started, it attracted mainly university and academic people – but was soon attracting members from all walks of life.

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The first chairman, David Longrigg, seated left, was a teacher at Dragon School in Oxford, and wife Elizabeth was an Oxford Don who became the first woman to serve on CAMRA’s national committee and later became a licensing magistrate.

John Rutherford, right, was the first secretary, a Fellow of Queen’s College who also wrote the introduction to local beer guides including “Real Ale in Oxfordshire”, published in 1977.

The daughter of David and Elizabeth Longrigg, Jane Bowen, worked behind the Rose and Crown bar for several years, where her kind, bubbly and amusing nature made her a great hit with all she served. Thank you Jane.

Some of this post is courtesy of the “Oxford Drinker, the online magazine of the Oxford CAMRA branch.