I was made aware of the Burford epidemic through the work of a local historian, Joan Moody. She published an excellent pamphlet describing this forgotten local tragedy. She and her husband took us around the town and showed us where in the graveyard the victims are supposedly buried.

Burford is an enchanting town, the gateway to the Cotswolds. It has barely changed since the 18th century, when it was a busy commercial centre. At one time 40 stagecoaches a day stopped in the town. (These days the coaches are more likely to contain tourists).