THE Women’s Institute have done it, so have firemen and even farmers, now Bicester History Society has joined an elite group.

As the new year approaches, the group is marking its 30th anniversary in style – with what is believed to be the first Bicester calendar.

Taking people on a trip down Memory Lane the calendar includes images dating back to the 18th century and up to the swinging 60s.

And it’s not just full of pictures, but includes facts about major milestones for the town, including the introduction of gas and the opening of Bicester North Station.

Chairman Bob Hessian said: “We were looking for ways to celebrate 2016 from a society point of view and someone said ‘why can’t we do a calendar’. I don’t think anyone else has done one on Bicester.”

The calendar is not the only way the society will celebrate its three decades.

A Town Trail is in production – an artist has been commissioned to illustrate a map of a circular walk of Bicester’s historical highlights, and there’s a DVD being made featuring some of the town’s interesting buildings.

Mr Hessian said: “When we started in 1986 there wasn’t any group in the town that looked after or promoted the local history of the town or area. Miss Dannatt, an ex-headmistress from Bicester Grammar School, had formed the Bicester History Circle in the 1950/60s but that group no longer existed.

“In fact Miss Dannatt was very supportive in the early days and it was she who encouraged us to get our society up and running. You don’t have to be a local history fanatic to join – in fact we encourage ‘novices’ to come along and learn about the history of the area and also to try and involve them in our own projects.”

Next year also sees the society get a permanent display area in the new library, currently being built in Pioneer Square.

Mr Hessian, one of the founders of the group, said: “We would want to showcase artefacts and documents about Bicester, possibly following a specific theme and then change the display on a regular basis.

“We want to encourage people to learn more about the history of Bicester and the surrounding area – whether it be about the Romans, Saxons, Victorians or even post-war Bicester.

“Bicester has a valuable and interesting heritage – it may not be obvious to some but it’s there to find.”

* The calendar can be bought at Cole’s Books, Crown Walk, Bicester, for £6.

An order form can also be downloaded from the society’s website blhs.org.uk