The Merry Bells

• Article on the Merry Bells in 1988
• Article on the Merry Bells in 1988
• Article on the Merry Bells in 1988

Article on 100 year celebration of opening of The Merry Bells. Article from Oxford Mail on July 6th 1988.

Since the building of the new turnpike road from Oxford to London in 1775, trade had slumped. The village had become a refuge for rough quarry workers, highwaymen and students. In fact, if you fancied a pint of beer and a punch-up, it seems that Wheatley had been the place to go. The change in Wheatley’s profile began by the banning guns and dogs in 1834, followed by a halt to bull-baiting and badger-baiting. Finally came the Merry Bells in 1888, provided by Mrs Miller of Shotover as a temperance place for the improvement of the social life of Wheatley. Accdording to Wilfred Sheldon's memories (Margaret Axford, Tales from the Village Folk) in the severe winter of 1895 when people were unable to work because of the hard frosts, a soup kitchen was opened in 'The Merry Bells'.It was a coffee house with ‘two large meeting rooms, a refreshment bar, a bathroom, cubicles, commercial and travellers rooms and stable accommodation for four horses’. Bought as a village hall in 1970.

• Merry Bells and Post Office/shop

• The Women’s Wednesday Afternoon Class in Wheatley 1908
• Origins of the Archive Room 2002
• Centenary of The Merry Bells 1888 -1988
• The Merry Bells
• The Merry Bells
• The Merry Bells
• The Merry Bells
• Barclays Bank High Street
• Barclays Bank, 93 High Street
• Merry Bells forecourt
• The Hinton Collection of early postcards of Wheatley - 1913-1915
• The Merry Bells and surroundings from the air
• Merry Bells bought by the village of Wheatley
• Senior Citizens Coffee Room records
• Painting of Merry Bells by John B Nicholls
• Embroidered panel of Merry Bells
• Merry Bells and Post Office/shop
• Merry Bells
• Men's Mutual Improvement Class 1908
• Centenary of the Merry Bells 1988 booklet all photos
• Bruce Shepherd's memories of Wheatley
• 50th anniversary of Wheatley's ownership of the Merry Bells
• The sub sorting office in Wheatley
• Merry Bells
• Post Office changes hands after 35 years
• Merry Bells open day 13 May 2023

• A 1174