of Oxford and Cambridge was held on the Thames at Sandford. Like the first, it was unofficial and no Blues were awarded. However, public enthusiasm was high and the river banks were thronged with spectators, all of whom had to reach the course either by bicycle or on foot. Contemporary newspaper reports estimate the crowd at between seven and ten thousand. The Cambridge crew, unusually for the time, included a Dane at bow and a Turk at number four. The Oxford crew included four medical students. The race was rowed between the narrow banks of a downstream course with the start about below Sandford Lock and the finish at the Radley College Boathouse. Oxford won the toss and chose the Oxfordshire bank, with Cambridge rowing on the Berkshire side. Oxford set off at 40 strokes compared to Cambridge's 37, and were almost immediately in the lead and a length up in some thirty seconds. Despite being left at the start, Cambridge did not give up and responded well, with the judge’s verdict at the finish recorded as a win for Oxford by just two-thirds of a length. Amenities The village has two public houses: the King's Arms on the river (converted in the 19th century from the Mill malthouse), and The Catherine Wheel on Henley Road. The Fox (built in 1853 by the Morrell family) has been closed since 2009. The village has several public open spaces including a large, fenced recreation ground next to the church containing children's play equipment, a grassed area on the riverside near Sandford Lock which is the site of the old wharf, and recreation areas off Heyford Hill Lane which also contain children's play equipment. All are maintained by the Parish Council. The Oxford Preservation Trust owns the land between Broadhurst Gardens and the River Thames. The village shop and post office was closed in 1987. The Village Hall has a shop and cafe run by volunteers, called 'Talking Shop' which offers local foods as well as general provisions. The Sustrans cycle path is accessible from the village across the river Thames and offers easy access to Oxford city centre along the river. Sandford is a scheduled stop for Salters Steamers' river boat services between Oxford and Abingdon. A regular local bus service between Wallingford and Oxford city centre serves the village. Street names Despite extensive local research by the Parish Council and local