At the Card Factory there are not only England Flags for sale for the Euro 2016 Football Tournament, there are also cards for Dad, and T-shirts in tins for Dad. It is Fathers Day today.

W H Smith have been offering copies of the Ladybird Book called ‘The Dad’ for £4.99 when you buy ANY Father’s Day Card.

Restaurants have been offering Father’s Day breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And Greene King have a deal they call ‘Utter Dadness – A FREE PINT’ for Dad on Father’s Day.

Today was the day when the Mayor of Ock Street was elected. Three dance groups could be seen round the town centre for most of the day. Shown above, outside the avicenne pharmacy (formerly the plough pub), are the combined Oxford City and Oxford University group.

Also there were the Old Speckled Hen north west clog morris.

Morris Dancers paraded round town from one venue to the next.

Outside the Brewery Tap was the polling station. There was also a polling box inside New Mayott House.

The President of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, Mr Ewart Hemmings, was there to officiate.

Last year’s Mayor of Ock Street, Mr Duncan Brown, was there waiting to see if he would serve another year.

But that was not to be. Mr Harry Knight was elected by a majority of 104 votes to 74 (or thereabouts). The Deputy Mayor of the town of Abingdon, Councillor Jan Morter, was there to present the tokens of office including: Mayor’s sash, cup, sword, and hat.

It was a popular result, and as a result we can expect lots of good Morrris Dancing in Abingdon in the year to come.

Sunday was a day for 90th Birthday Parties for HM Queen Elizabeth in Abingdon. I expect others will send more pictures in due course. But here is a quick look at what was happening at Abingdon Rugby Club where ‘Yeah Baby’ organised the bands.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Alice Badcock, was there to host this event put on for people in the town.

There were a number of entertainers there

including Mr Fox, and the fantastic Mr Otter who wheeled a wooden cart laden with magic props and curios.

At 18:00 on Saturday in St Nic’s Church people gathered for a service of celebration for the Queen’s 90th Birthday while crowds outside gathered for the bun throwing.

The service was led by Rev’d Paul Smith, and the singing was led by four choirs from: St Helen’s, St Nic’s, St Michael’s, and Radley Parish Church. The choirs sang Zadoc the Priest, and led the congregation singing some of Her Majesty’s favorite hymns (as featured at her own wedding) including ‘Praise my Soul the King of Heaven’ and ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’. They also sang the National Anthem but not the verse about ‘Scattering her enemies and Confounding their politics…’

Her Majesty might have been amused to hear the service being accompanied by tunes such as the floral dance played outside by Abingdon Town Band.

The crowds gathered outside had grown so large that it was difficult to get out at the end of the service. Worshipers had to make an escape from the side entrance to join the crowds for the bun throw.