Category Archives: dancing

New Mayor of Ock Street Elected

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Mayor of Ock Street
Mr Harry Knight was elected the Mayor of Ock Street this afternoon. The election result was announced by Mr Ewart Hemmings, President of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. The Mayor of Abingdon, Angela Lawrence, was there to present Harry with the sword and chalice of office. Angela joined in with the dancing when everybody had a go on the Market Place, and showed that she was a good dancer herself.
Mayor of Ock Street
Mr Harry Knight said it was a great honour to follow Stuart Jackson, and Roger Cox, his predecessors, both who were there. Roger Cox, who has been Mayor of Ock Street from 2007-2014, was the first to congratulate the victor Harry. The Mayor of Ock Street also becomes the Squire of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.
Mayor of Ock Street
There followed the traditional chairing of the new Mayor up and down Ock Street.
Mayor of Ock Street
The ballot took place at The Brewery Tap where Ock Street Ale was on tap – from Loose Cannon.

The day itself saw Morris dancing around the town. The youtube video above shows ‘Princess Royal’ one of the Abingdon Dances, performed by the Abingdon Morris Dancers for centuries, and again today.
Mayor of Ock Street
There were five visited teams including the Armaleggan, a Border Morris side, who rehearse in Cumnor Village Hall, on the old Berkshire Borders.
Mayor of Ock Street
Also visiting town today were the Foxy Rangers from Didcot, in South Oxfordshire. They were raising money for Chanel, a child who needs special equipment to get a decent quality of life. One of those Foxy Rangers was chosen to be danced round in ‘Maid of The Mill’
Mayor of Ock Street
After which every passing Morris Dancer kissed her on the cheek – some more than once. The Armaleggan kissing got very smutty.

More Pictures on the Abingdon Blog Facebook Page.

Mr Hemmings Day of Dance – 2014

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Mr Hemmings Day of Dance
Mr Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris dancers held their annual day of dance in Abingdon today, on the nearest Saturday to the birthday of Tom Hemmings. Tom was instrumental in reviving the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dances in the mid 20th Century.

There were four visiting sides, on a day of sun and showers. The visiting sides were:
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance
Mayflower Morris: A Ladies side from Ash Vale in Hampshire dancing in clogs.
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance
Kennet Morris Men: based in the Reading area.
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance
Ashnah: Glamorous bellydancing ladies from Abingdon.
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance
Stroud Morris: Ladies side from Stroud in Gloucestershire.

The teams danced throughout the day starting at the White Horse pub, then visiting pubs, and ex-pubs, along Ock Street, and Bath Street. After lunch, they danced on the Market Place at around 2pm, and returned along Ock Street to finish at The Royal British Legion.

(Thanks to Steve Green for the details of the sides.)

Charity Run, Music & Dancing

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Justin Lovstrom
Justin Lovstrom, one of Abingdon’s best loved posties, will be running along the Thames path on 3/4 May from Richmond to Oxford, via Abingdon Bridge – 100 miles within 28 hours. Money raised will go to the Amber Phillpott Trust and the Oxford Heart Centre.

Donations can be made at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JustinLovstrom.
Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers
Yesterday – St George’s Day – was celebrated in style by The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers who began their music and dancing at the Old Anchor, continued at The Kings Head & Bell and then ended the evening at The Punch Bowl.