THE year was 1967. Anne Packham and Diane Dawkins were young Romsey mothers. Diane had two children under five-years-old and Anne had one. Encouraged by the Oxfam Regional Organiser (Gordon McLeod), Anne and Diane established the Romsey Oxfam Support Group. Shortly afterwards, Woolworths offered premises, rent-free, in The Hundred, and the friends, in September 1967, 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. Diane was inspired by Oxfam’s mission, and found the regional staff based in Southampton, most helpful in getting the Romsey venture off the ground.

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. Donors of special note include a former England and Hampshire cricketer captain, whose flair on the field was matched by his generosity to the charity. A local resident and highly successful author, (“Virgin Soldiers”, “Tropic of Ruislip”,) was also a great supporter. The very important Oxfam Fair Trade product range was established by Anne Harcourt, who to this day helps in the bookstore.

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. For donors, it meant finding a home for goods which might otherwise go unused, sit in attics, or worse, go to landfill. Today, 50 years on, Diane still helps regularly in the Tenovus charity shop in the town.

Sue Derbyshire’s 45-year involvement with Oxfam in Romsey started in 1972 when she moved to the town. Sue wanted to volunteer in the shop but had an 18 month old baby and no child minding arrangements. So the then voluntary manager Mrs Moody (and she was a great character!) put her in touch with the Romsey Oxfam fund raising group. About two days later Anne Packham was on her doorstep and they have been firm friends ever since. The fund raising group continued until about 1994, and had a very active history of successful fund raising.

When the Support Group eventually had to wind it up due to dwindling volunteers, Sue started volunteering in the shop, only once a month on Saturdays whilst still working, but once weekly since she retired in 2006.

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

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. Over the last half-century, Oxfam has grown in international importance, which work has been supported so constantly and generously by local donors and volunteers.