Abingdon Morris Dancers bring in the New Year

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The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were playing music, singing and dancing under the County Hall Museum on New Years Day 2025 from 1:30 pm. Before that they gathered for a drink or two in the warmth of the Punch bowl.

The performance featured a number of Mock Mayors, including Rob Charlton, the new Mayor of Ock Street, and Harry Knight, a former Mayor who has held the position for most of the past decade. Stuart Jackson, a long-time Morris dancer, former Mayor of Ock Street, and now president of the morris dancers, led the group by holding a replica copy of the Horns of Ock Street. The real horns, dating from 1700, are only brought out when the Mayor of Ock Street is elected by the citizens of Ock Street.

Roger Cox, another former Mayor of Ock Street, added to the merriment by playing the fool, interacting with the crowd and encouraging the dancers with whacks from a pig bladder..

Both the new and former Mayors, Rob Charlton and Harry Knight, joined in some of the dances. Duncan Brown, a local resident with the unique distinction of having served as both Mayor of Abingdon and Mayor (or Mock Mayor) of Ock Street, was also dancing. Lots of people joined in the final dance for all comers. Lesley Legge, a former Mayor of Abingdon, was there in the crowd watching. (It was she who reinstated the Abingdon Boundary Walk.)

The Boundary Walk of New Year 2025

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Last night and this morning, strong winds swirled around Abingdon. They turned to steady rain by about 11 am — the start of the Boundary Walk from Abingdon Market Place. Despite the rain, a group of about 25 people turned out for this historic walk.

Leading the walk were the town crier, the Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Gabby Barody, and two town councillors.

In case the weather got worse, the leaders decided to reverse the usual route. That way at least one boundary stone could be seen.

The walk followed the 1556 borough boundary, marked in places by boundary stones. Setting off, walkers first crossed the River Thames, where they saw a boundary stone embossed with an “A” for Abingdon near Abingdon Lock. Tradition called them to beat the stone with sticks to ensure the boundary had not been tampered with.

From there, the group made its way back through the Thames View estate, pausing to discuss landmarks such as the Abingdon Sword Bridge.

The mayor and councillors shared stories along the way. At the stone near John Mason School, they learned that the original stone had been replaced by a parliamentary boundary stone in 1870. There were rumours that the present stone could have been created by John Mason School pupils, as it had no inscription.

Throughout the walk, the town crier rang his bell, inviting people at home to join in. “Step away from watching repeats of Strictly Come Dancing or Wallace and Gromit and come celebrate the boundaries of Abingdon-on-Thames — a far more memorable way to spend the first morning of 2025!” He ended each proclamation with, “God bless Abingdon-on-Thames! God bless the King!”

At Albert Park, the Mayor told the walkers how the charity, Christs Hospital of Abingdon, looked after the Albert Park and as Mayor she serves as a governor of Christs Hospital.

The walk concluded at St. Helen’s Wharf, where about 20 of the original group remained. There, they learned that a chamberlain used to be sent to swim across the river to inspect the stones on the far bank. Nobody volunteered to swim.

Those stones bear both an ‘A’ boundary marker and a parliamentary marker.

By the end of the walk, spirits were high despite everyone being soaked. Some people went for a hot chocolate or coffee; others headed home for a well-earned warm bath. It was a wet but memorable way to welcome in 2025, and honour the heritage of Abingdon-on-Thames.

St Ethelwolds Garden – December 2024

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I had tried yesterday, but came back to St Ethelwold’s Garden this New Year’s Eve, intending to capture a December view for the final monthly visit to the garden through the seasons. But the wrought iron gate was shut. As the sky deepened from grey to blue, I could see the gravel path, the bare vines of the wisteria, a bicycle on the rack inside, and trays of moss on the table where there is usually produce and second hand magazines.

This closed gate will open again soon — perhaps not immediately, but in the days to come. The garden is having a rest from visitors at a time when we all pause between ending one year and beginning the next.

I could have knocked on the door and asked to look round but it was getting late. The closed gate recalled Minnie Louise Haskins’ famous lines:
“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

Over the years, I’ve carried out these monthly visits in different places — first Barton Fields, then Abbey Fishponds, Radley Lakes, the River Ock, and this year, St Ethelwold’s Garden. For next year, I’m considering “Monthly Eco Initiatives” with One Planet Abingdon, or perhaps documenting the seasons at Albert Park month by month, or perhaps both.

Here is the view of St Ethelwold’s Garden from Nags Head Island as of yesterday. The peace pole and owl box were visible as was the wharf wall that has been recently cleared of vegetation. Volunteers discovered that the wall is in a poor state of repair and at risk of partial collapse during flooding. Addressing this issue is among the projects planned for the next year or so, alongside installing a disabled toilet and restoring the south gable wall of the house. Community support will be vital in the year ahead. For more details, see the October newsletter.

Organ Recital at St Helen’s Church

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At St Helen Church last night there was a organ recital by Peter Foster who played six pieces from The Birth of the Saviour (Symphonic Meditations) by Olivier Messiaen.

The organist was helped by somebody turning the pages and by David Pope, who introduced each piece.

The recital was instead of the 5:30 Sunday Evening Service, and there was a good turnout. It began and ended with a prayer written by Olivier Messiaen. He believed in expressing his faith through music and words.

Even though the music was written way back in 1935, it sounded new and exciting. You didn’t need to know about the technicalities. There were repetitive themes, like the angels or the wise men or the shepherds. Sometimes it was sustained and hypnotic. Other times, the organ rang out like St Helen’s bells.

After the final prayer, when the formal service was finished, people applauded the music.

On the way out there was a collection towards new lights at St Helens. St Helens not only need replacement lights but also a replacement rector, now Rev. Dr. Charles Miller has retired.