A HAMPSHIRE market town charity marked half a century of trading with a commemorative concert and special presentation.

Held at the United Reformed Church, Oxfam celebrated 50 years in Romsey with the event, which raised £1,800.

It was opened by Andrew Horton, head of Oxfam trading who presented Barbara Baker, a long serving volunteer, with her 50 years of service certificate.

Then the audience were treated to a delightful repertoire of diverse songs from Romsey Voices and Romsey Youth Children’s Choir, lead by musical directors Marianne and Chris Maxey.

Guests included Anne Packham and Dianne Dawkins who established the first Oxfam shop in Romsey 50 years ago.

Back in 1967, the pair, encouraged by the Oxfam Regional Organiser Gordon McLeod, established the Romsey Oxfam Support Group.

And shortly afterwards, Woolworths offered premises, rent-free, in The Hundred, and the friends, in September of that year, established the very first charity shop in the town, entirely volunteer-run.

The two women would look after each other’s children while one of them worked in the shop.

The first premises were temporary, so came rent-free, but with the possibility of having to move at short notice, the shopping ‘experience’ was closer to a jumble sale than today’s well-organised, professionally managed outlets.

Nevertheless there was a strong team spirit among the helpers, who came from all walks of life to support a worthy cause.

The people of Romsey were quick to provide strong support for the Oxfam shop, both in donations and as regular shoppers.

However, as expected, the lease on the first shop expired.

But this turned out be a blessing, as the new premises at 12, The Hundred, provided more ground-floor selling space. The new shop was opened by Christopher Biggins, and Barbara Baker, founder volunteer, still working every week still remembers the occasion.

Then, as now, the shop not only provided steady and growing revenue for worthy causes, it also helped local people on low incomes to source the necessities of life.

Today, 50 years on, Diane still helps regularly in the Tenovus charity shop in the town.

Recently, the main shop was totally refitted, using mainly volunteer effort.

Wendy Hugill and Paula Whitehead, managers of the store, said: "Fifty years on, it is hard to imagine Romsey town centre without Oxfam, or the other excellent charity shops, which are so much a part of town life."