The annual Sheriff’s round-up of animals on Port Meadow is one of Oxford’s oldest traditions.
The city councillor appointed Sheriff for the year descends on the meadow early one morning and with a team of helpers, drives the cattle, sheep and horses into a paddock.
Animals with grazing rights are freed after owners pay a token sum, but owners of those there illegally face a fine.
Read again: Boxing club stages open day
In recent years, there have been suspicions that the date of the round-up has been leaked, and owners have removed their stock briefly to avoid any penalty.
Picture 1 dates from the 1970s when Janet Todd was in charge.
Arriving at dawn, in a pony and trap, she and her team rounded up about 200 animals. Owners with grazing rights had to pay 2p to retrieve their animals, while those there illegally had to pay £10.
After all the animals were safely rounded up, everyone adjourned for the traditional breakfast at Wolvercote village hall.
They were joined by former Sheriffs Lionel Harrison, Ann Spokes, Dora Carr, Bill Fagg and Gordon Woodward and, as usual, by representatives of the City Freemen and the Wolvercote Commoners.
Picture 2 shows Sheriff Gordon Woodward leading the round-up in 1978 on horseback, echoing two predecessors, Ann Spokes and Dora Carr, who opted for similar transport across the meadow.
When Picture 3 was taken in 1974, however, Bill Simpson decided not to chance it, preferring instead to head the posse in the comfort of a Land Rover.
That year, more than 300 horses and cattle were impounded and there was a shock for those without rights – the £5 fine the previous year had been doubled.
Read more: Burglar helped himself to hotel's TV
The round-up in Picture 4 in 1984 was led by a jittery Bert Standingford on horseback – after just three days of riding lessons – and it ended in chaos. There were so many animals that cows had to be driven along the road to a separate paddock. On the way, one cow touched and set off a car alarm and started a stampede. The Oxford Mail reported: “Onlookers were sent flying as cows crashed into cars.”
Read more: Latest cases from Oxford magistrates court
Picture 5 shows the Rev Tony Williamson, in the dark shirt, leading the meadow inspection in 1976 .
While in Picture 6, Bill Simpson, front left, carries out the same routine in 1974.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF