Mr Hemmings Day of Dance – 2013

Mr Hemmings Day of Dance - 2013
Along Ock Street, and in the town centre, there was dancing by Mr Hemmings’ Traditional Abingdon Morris Dancers and visiting sides.
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance - 2013
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance is a celebration of the birthday of Tom Hemmings who rejuvenated Abingdon Morris in the early 20th century.
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance - 2013
Morris Dancing no longer seems such a quaint old custom.
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance - 2013
There are probably more morris dancers now as there have ever been. By today’s evidence many were young, and many female.
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance - 2013
The Summertown Morris from Oxford only started up a couple of years ago and have an excellent group.
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance - 2013
After all the teams had done a turn or two on the Market Place …
Mr Hemmings Day of Dance - 2013
all the groups came to together and did a mass dance. Then they went back to dance at pubs along Ock Street.

I’ve uploaded the mass dance to … youtube.

Michael Gove at John Mason School

Michael Gove at John Mason
On 30th April the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education, visited John Mason School with local MP Nicola Blackwood and Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council Ian Hudspeth. The school wanted the visitors to see them on a regular school-day.
Michael Gove at John Mason
The Secretary of State got involved with students and staff in History, Art, Design Technology and Science.
Michael Gove at John Mason
He said afterwards “John Mason School is a school that, under a particularly inspirational head, is taking very very positive steps to provide students with a range of qualifications and the type of education that is relevant to the modern world. I’ve been very impressed by what I’ve seen.”

Many Thanks to Jonathon for the pictures and quote.

Abingdon Health Walks into a 10th year

Walking for Health
Many thanks to Peter who has sent me pictures and information about the Abingdon Health Walks, also featured in today’s Abingdon Herald.
Walking for Health
Abingdon Health Walks’ are in their 10th Year, and have just started a new walk from the Abbey Archway in the town centre. It will be every Wednesday at 12.15pm and is intended as a short gentle walk. They also have walks described as gentle, moderate, and brisk from the White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre.

Peter says that walking is a great way to get fit and feel better. Walking with others is a good way to meet people and socialise, and new people are always welcome. For more information follow this link .

Mayor Making 2013

Mayor Making
One of the last duties of the outgoing Mayor is to thank people who have contributed a lot to Abingdon. The outgoing Mayor, Councillor Monica Lovatt, is seen here presenting one of the Mayoral awards.
Mayor Making
Councillor Samantha Bowring was elected as the new Mayor for the year 2013/14.

In any normal year the outgoing Deputy Mayor, Andrew Todd, seen beside her, would have become Mayor. But two by-elections last week have changed the make up of a very tight council.
Mayor Making
Samantha is seen here with her daughter, who will be one of her escorts, and the new Deputy Mayor Angela Lawrence.

Mr Malcolm Hill, the mace bearer, is seen with them.