Category Archives: traditions

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day

Snick, snack, the pan’s hot,
We’re come a shroving
Strike while the iron’s hot –
Something’s better than nothing.
Flour’s cheap and lard’s dear
And that’s why we come a shroving here …
(Rhyme from Drayton near Abingdon quoted in May Day to Mummers – Folklore and customs in Oxfordshire.)
Shrove Tuesday
Children no longer beg their neighbours for ingredients for pancakes. To help us prepare for Pancake Day, the supermarkets in Abingdon each had a little display of a ready made pancake mix – massively reduced , together with JIF Lemons and maple syrup, and even eggs and flour in some places.
Shrove Tuesday
I probably did not follow the instructions properly with the pancake mix, as I ended up with some pale sloppy pancakes that stuck to the pan. After the third attempt I gave up.

But we do still have the basics: an egg, 3 oz (75g) flour, 5 fl oz (150ml) of milk and a pinch of salt.
Shrove Tuesday
That worked so much better, and came in under half the price of the pancake mix.

New Mayor of Ock Street Elected

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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.

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.

There followed the traditional chairing of the new Mayor up and down 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.

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.

Swan Upping 2013 during a heatwave + pool extra hours

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Thanks to Peter for sending me pictures on July 19th of the swan uppers toasting the Queen under Abingdon Bridge at the end of the Swan Upping (the annual census of swans on the River Thames between Sunbury and Abingdon).

In 2012 Swan Upping was cancelled because the river was running too fast. In 2013, swan fledglings hatched later than usual, after a cold start to the year. However, Swan Upping took place during a heat wave.

Due to that same heatwave, a report on the Friends of the Abingdon Outdoor Pool Website says opening hours were extended on Thursdays and Fridays from 6-8pm to cope with demand. The extension continues through the summer holidays so long as weather allows.

Abingdon Guild of Town Criers