The annual election of the Mayor of Ock Street took place today in Abingdon, hosted by the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. As ever, the event drew a lively crowd, with residents and workers from Ock Street and its surrounding roads casting their votes to choose this year’s Mayor.

There was dancing at various locations around town. The morning was overcast and humid. A lunchtime shower gave way to sunshine later in the day — not as hot as Thursday, when all that dancing would have been far more draining.

This year’s visiting teams included new friends, Chiltern Hundreds NW Morris,

and old friends, Bampton Traditional Morris Men.

Two familiar names stood for election: Rob Charlton, who served as Mayor last year, and Harry Knight, who has held the title several times in the past decade.

Residents and workers of Ock Street, its tributary streets, and Morris Dancers has a vote.

A town crier introduced the dancers and kept everyone informed about the day’s events.

When the ballots were counted, Rob Charlton had received 115 votes, while Harry Knight secured 146 — a strong turnout overall. Rob graciously congratulated Harry on his win.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli, presented Harry Knight with the sash, sword, goblet, and hat of office—symbols of the honour bestowed. Harry Knight thanked the visiting teams and several people by name who had helped in the event, particularly Mac who organised the event.

The newly elected Mayor of Ock Street was then paraded in a sedan chair made from scaffold poles, followed by more dancing along Ock Street.