By
Andrew Ffrench
@OxMailAndyF
Business reporter covering Didcot and Wallingford. Call me on 01865 425425
Earthquake mission – left to right, John Wathen, Peter Hall, David Lang and Philip Hine
It is 40 years since volunteers from Oxfordshire launched a rescue mission to help earthquake victims in Italy.
Members of Kidlington Round Table drove a lorry full of clothing and blankets to Contursi Terme, a village near Naples, then flew back eight months later to help rebuild the shattered region.
Now four decades later, a message has arrived from the Italians thanking the Tablers for what they did.
The story began in December 1980 when Colin and Pam Webb, in Kidlington, received a plea from a friend, Gabriella di Martino, Professor of English at Naples University, to help earthquake victims.