On 9th May 2015, Mr Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris dancers hosted their annual day of dance in Abingdon.

This always takes place on a Saturday nearest the birthday of former Abingdon Morris dance legend Tom Hemmings who kept the Tradition of Abingdon Morris Dancing alive in the mid-19th century.

Mr Les Badcock, the bagman of the Mr Hemmings Dancers, brings together many varied dancing styles and colourful dancers for the day of dance.

From Ashnah who do American Tribal Style Bellydance ….

to the Hook Eagle Morris who black their faces, carry big sticks and are in the tradition of Border Morris.

Also on the list to attend were: Borderline Morris, Hazzaz, Mabel Gubbins Rapper, Old Speckled Hen, and Stroud Morris Dancers.

The groups performed on the Market Place either side of lunch, and outside the pubs of Ock Street and the town centre in the morning and afternoon. Most of the groups can be seen dancing together in this video …

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:

Mayflower Morris: A Ladies side from Ash Vale in Hampshire dancing in clogs.

Kennet Morris Men: based in the Reading area.

Ashnah: Glamorous bellydancing ladies from Abingdon.

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.)