On New Year’s Day 2024, Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers performed outside the Punchbowl in Abingdon, and then the Broad Face. They were led by the Mayor of Ock Street, Roger Cox, and the Deputy Mayor, Harry Knight.

They had a good turnout with about twenty members.

Abingdon morris dancing is similar to other Cotswold dances, with the dancers wearing white clothes and waving handkerchiefs. But unlike other Cotswold teams, they don’t use sticks. You can learn more about them on their website: http://atmd.org.uk/abingdon-morris/.

I filmed one of their dances, called “The Curly-Headed Ploughboy.” This tune became famous after a man named Cecil Sharp heard it from a local musician in Abingdon in 1922. Now, it’s a popular song at pubs and festivals beyond Abingdon according to the reference: https://www.efdss.org/learning/resources/a-z/2548-efdss-learning-resources-curly-headed-ploughboy.

The annual election of the Mayor of Ock Street took place earlier today in Abingdon-on-Thames. The election of the Mayor of Ock Street is taken very seriously by Morris dancers. The Mayor is responsible for leading the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers (ATMD) and for representing the town at various events. The election is held on the closest Saturday to the midsummer solstice and celebrates the town’s ancient Morris dancing heritage.

The day began with the polling boxes being put outside the Brewery Tap and inside Mayott House. All residents of Ock Street, its side streets, and all Morris dancers have a vote.

There followed a morning of Morris dancing in town.

The dancers and followers process between the venues behind the iconic Ox.

Voting continued throughout the day.

The two candidates were Harry Knight, who has been Mayor of Ock Street for eight of the last nine years, and Roger Cox, who was Mayor of Ock Street for the seven years before that.

Mr Stuart Jackson, the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers’ president, announced the result. (He was Mayor of Ock Street for eleven year in a row.)

The winner was Roger Cox.

The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Councillor Gwyneth Lewis, congratulated Roger and presented him with the insignia, the sword and the cup of office.

The Morris Dancers then chaired Roger Cox along Ock Street.

That was followed by more Morris dancing at more venues in town.

The excellent visiting sides this year, who helped in the dancing,  were Old Speckled Hen North West Clog Morris,

and Traditional Bampton Morris Dancers.

Lastly, here is a video of the tree commemorating former ATMD bagman, Tony Russell, near the Almshouses. The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers dance round that tree every year on The Mayor of Ock Street’s Day.

Morris Dancers have put up a Lego model in the window of Fat Face to remind people of Mayor’s Day on Saturday 17th June. The model shows Abingdon Market Place complete with Morris dancers and Sami’s kebab Trailer.

The highlight of the day will be the Election of Mayor of Ock Street at around 16:15, followed by a procession chairing the Mayor along Ock Street.

There will be processions and dancing throughout the day from 11:00 until about 19:30. The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers will be joined by the Bampton Traditional Morris Dancers and Old Speckled Hen Morris.

A running order can be seen at http://atmd.org.uk/coming-events/