The annual Mr Hemmings Day of Dance took place in Abingdon today, hosted by Mr Hemmings Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, who take their name from the former Abingdon dancer, Tom Hemmings.

It was another hot day, so some of the dancing took place in the shade of the Abbey Gateway and beneath the County Hall, where a cooling breeze blew through. Four dance sides took part.

Mr Hemmings Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, led by Les Badcock, hosted the event.

One of the visiting teams was Ashnah Tribal Dancers, from Abingdon, with their colourful,  percussive performances .

Also visiting were Summertown Morris, seen in this video dancing Valentine. I liked the tune so much when they performed it at the Mayor of Ock Street in June in Abingdon that I recorded most of the dance.

Adderbury Village Morris came with two hobby horses. Adderbury like Abingdon has two traditional morris dancing sides.

There was audience participant on the Market Place. A bride-to-be, in running shoes, was chosen to stand at the centre of the dance  Maid of the Mill. She had just completed the 5 km park run with family and friends, all dressed in wedding costumes.

With temperatures remaining high throughout the day, the Lighthouse Church were handing out free chilled water to help people stay hydrated.

The other major event in town was the opening of Browns Butchers. There was a queue stretching outside on the occasions I walked past. There may have been an opening-day offer that everyone knew about, or perhaps people were just keen to use the new traditional butcher’s shop in Abingdon town centre.

The annual election of the Mayor of Ock Street took place today in Abingdon-on-Thames. The Mayor leads the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, and the election is traditionally held on the Saturday nearest to 19 June.

The day began with the polling boxes being placed outside the Brewery Tap. All residents and workers of Ock Street and its side streets, together with all Morris dancers, are entitled to vote.

The dancers and their followers processed between the various venues, beginning at the Brewery Tap. By the time they reached the Abbey Gateway they were ahead of schedule (something almost unheard of). However, rain at the Broad Face soon restored normal service, and slowed progress.

Three Morris sides took part in the day’s celebrations: the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers,

Summertown Morris,

and Oxford City and University Morris.

A very good lunch was provided at St Ethelwold’s House, where hats were piled high in traditional Morris fashion.

The teams then visited Cooper’s Tavern, which opens for just one hour each year for this very occasion, where they danced for their beer, generously provided thanks to Pam and Aleck.

Voting continued throughout the day, with the Morris dancers and former dancers being the last to cast their ballots.

The two candidates were Rob Charlton, Mayor of Ock Street from 2024 to 2025,

and Harry Knight, who has now served as Mayor of Ock Street on ten occasions. Harry Knight was elected once again.

The result was announced by Stuart Jackson, President of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Andrew Skinner, congratulated the winner and presented him with the sash, swords and cup of office.

The Morris dancers then chaired Harry Knight along Ock Street.

The celebrations continued with more Morris dancing, and in one dance Harry Knight was lifted high off the ground by the dancers.

With just ten days to go until the Mayor of Ock Street election on Saturday 20 June, a display in the window of FatFace profiles the two candidates.

They are the same two candidates who contested last year’s election, but their roles have been reversed. Last year’s Mayor is now the challenger, while last year’s challenger is the incumbent.

The big question is whether they will swap positions once again when the votes are counted. Pictured is Rob, the outgoing Mayor, congratulating Harry, the incoming Mayor, in 2025.

Rob Charlton
Aged 52, Rob is a lecturer at Abingdon and Witney College and was elected Mayor of Ock Street in 2024. He moved to Abingdon on his boat because he needed somewhere to moor, and more than 20 years later, he is still here! Uniquely, he has been lead dancer for both Abingdon Traditional Morris sides and would like both sides to continue because Abingdon loves a good rivalry. Rob created the last original dance in the Abingdon repertoire for the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, first performed at the Abingdon bun throwing in 2012. He can also be heard playing fiddle, mandolin, and other instruments during processions and music sessions.

Harry Knight
Aged 76 (last week), Harry is an Abingdonian by adoption and was first elected Mayor of Ock Street in 2014 – a position he has held several times since. He moved to Abingdon 52 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. He is one of the side’s melodeon players and has held the office of Bagman for some time. He was Lead Dancer the last time the Morris performed at the Royal Albert Hall and still enjoys “Constant Billy,” the most energetic Abingdon dance. His son, Daniel, has also danced with the side.

Residents of Ock Street (and its side streets), along with members of the Morris sides, are eligible to vote. But anybody can watch.

The day will also include dancing throughout the day by The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers and two guest teams:  Oxford City and University, and Summertown. The election result will be declared soon after 4 pm at the Brewery Tap.