Category Archives: dancing

Morris Dancing memories


I met Frank on Saturday, the day of the Mayor of Ock Street. He told me a few of his Morris Dancing memories.

He was with the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers up until 1956 — that makes him one of the oldest ex-dancers still about. He got into it when he was at Boxhill School — him and half a dozen other lads. It meant missing a lesson for an hour. Next thing, because he was good enough, he was dancing with the regular side.

He remembers a young Stuart Jackson — he was the mascot back then. Stuart went on to be the Mayor of Ock Street many times, and now is President.

Frank was dancing in Conduit Road one day when Prince Philip drove past. The Queen and him were in Abingdon to reopen the County Hall Museum. The Prince did a double take when he saw the Morris Dancers in all their kit. Must’ve thought, ‘Whats going on here?’

There was a big Morris ring meeting over in Buckinghamshire one year and Slim Mooring was the fool. He had a pig’s bladder, same as Roger Cox carries now, and went about bopping people with it. He got near this policeman — who was there to keep the crowds in order — and raised the bladder as if to bop him. The policeman just gave him a look, as if to say, ‘You just try it, and see where it gets you.’

They had lots of Americans in those days, from the airbase. They loved all the old English traditions and used to stand and watch the dancing and throw coins, half crowns sometimes.

Major Frier played the accordion and he’d drive the dancers round in his old maroon charabanc. It looked more like a hearse than a bus.

And poor Jimmy Grimsdale. One day he sat on a bag of cherries in his white Morris trousers. He didn’t realise until it was too late and a great big red embarrassing patch bloomed on his backside all day.

When Frank was sixteen, he looked at the older dancers — some nearing forty — and thought, ‘They’ll never get through the day!’ But even though they could hardly walk, they kept on dancing.

Election of the Mayor of Ock Street 2025


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 crowds.

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.

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.

It is the only day in the year when the original Ox Horns are on display. At others times a replica is used. It is also the only day when the Coopers Tavern opens, thanks to Pam and Alick, who give out free drinks.

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

A town crier introduced the dancers.

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

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

One Week to Go: The Mayor of Ock Street Election


With just over a week remaining until the election on Saturday 21st of June, a display in the window of FatFace profiles the two candidates.

Harry Knight
Soon to turn 75, Harry is an Abingdonian by adoption and was first elected Mayor of Ock Street in 2014 – a role he has held several times since. He moved to Abingdon 51 years ago and joined the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers in 1976. For many years, he lived and worked on Ock Street as a funeral director. Harry is one of the side’s melodeon players and has also served as Bagman. He was Lead Dancer the last time the Morris performed at the Royal Albert Hall and still enjoys “Constant Billy,” one of the group’s most energetic dances. His son, Daniel, has also danced with the side.

Rob Charlton
Aged 51, Rob is a lecturer at Abingdon and Witney College and was elected Mayor of Ock Street in 2024. He first came to Abingdon over 20 years ago, arriving on his boat in search of somewhere to moor – and never left. Rob is unique in having been Lead Dancer for both Abingdon Traditional Morris sides. He supports their ongoing friendly rivalry, believing it brings spirit and colour to the town. He created the most recent original dance in the Abingdon repertoire, first performed during the Diamond Jubilee bun throwing. He’s also plays the fiddle, banjo mandolin, and other instruments during processions and music sessions.

Residents and workers in Ock Street (and its side streets), along with members of the Abingdon Traditional Morris, are eligible to vote. They are lucky to have two such good candidates.

The day will also include dancing throughout the day by The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers and two guest teams:  Bampton Traditional Morris, and Chiltern Hundreds NW Morris. The election result will be declared soon after 4 pm at the Brewery Tap.

VE Day 80 Tea Dance at Preston Road Community Centre


This afternoon, a VE Day 80 Tea Dance organised by the Royal British Legion was held at Preston Road Community Centre as part of 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Penny and a young volunteer welcomed guests at the door, selling raffle tickets, and later served tea, biscuits, and a selection of cakes.

Over the course of more than two hours, guests enjoyed dancing — both ballroom and line dancing —accompanied by music from Sugar and Spice.

The event was organised largely by Ron on behalf of the Royal British Legion. At the start he asked how many people present had been alive at the end of the war. About half a dozen hands went up, including three individuals now in their nineties.

The afternoon ended with Sugar and Spice singing ‘We’ll Meet Again’.