In reverse order, latest to earliest …

There will be a second Great Get Together on 24th June. Sue says “we are hoping for a lovely day like last year, showing what a welcoming community Abingdon is.”

“This year we are also picking up on the work Jo Cox did on the problem of loneliness, and we are delighted that the Archway Foundation will be part of the day.”

The Abingdon and District Music Society will be performing “Missa Solemnis” on 16th June at St Helen and St Katherine.

There is also a ‘Joyful Singing Workshop’ on Tuesday 12th June thanks to Oxfordshire MIND.

In the window of Fat Face in Abingdon can be seen a Lego version of the Mayor of Ock Street Ceremony. It shows the newly elected Mayor of Ock Street being chaired shoulder high from Coopers Lane into Ock Street. In front of him is held a cow’s head, a trophy won in a fight between Ock Street and the rest of the town in 1700. The elected Mayor becomes the head man of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers for the next year.

In 2018 two other sides will be there in Abingdon to dance on June 16th along Ock Street, and in the town centre – before and after the election of the Mayor of Ock Street. They include Bampton Traditional Morris, founded approximately 600 years ago, and the Berkshire Bedlam Morris Dancers, founded in 1977.

The 4th side on the Supermorris box, called Stealing Sheep, could be the alter-ego of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers who appeared in this video …

Stealing Sheep – Apparition from Dougal Wilson on Vimeo.

The Abbey Grounds have dried out in time for Fun in the Park. As one well known local told me, they knew what they were doing building the Abbey here on the gravel terrace for drainage.

On the little stage Punch kept the children entertained. Near them was a huge inflatable and a climbing wall.

On the big stage, at the same time, were Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. They were followed by many other acts. Late afternoon and evening the stage will be used for Music in the Park.

There was also a concourse of stalls with local groups either side of the path. On the Church in Abingdon stall you could sponsor a duck for the duck race on June 16th – same day as Mayor of Ock Street, and opening the Outdoor Pool. Money from the duck race goes towards Abingdon Passion play 2019.

Monica Lovatt the new Chair of the Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) was speaking to the people in charge of mobiloo. Its appearance was discussed at the recent town council meeting featured on this blog.