The election of the Mayor of Ock Street took place in Abingdon today. (The Mayor of Ock Street is the leader of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.) There were polling stations for Ock Street residents at The Brewery Tap and  Mayott House. They opened at around 10 am, and then the Morris Dancers processed into town and danced at a number of venues starting at the Black Swan.

They were joined by a visting team, Mason’s Apron.

The second dance was in the Bury Street shopping street.

There was cloud, some showers, and sunshine later on. So flowers and wellington boots made a fitting outfit.

In the afternoon the dance at the Long Alley almshouses were cut short by a downpour, then after a short time there were more dances outside Brewery Cottages.

The election result was announced at 4:15 and was the closest anybody could remember. Roger Cox got 89 votes and Harry Knight 90. Mr Harry Knight is shown here being congratulated by Stuart Jackson immediately after the result. Stuart Jackson was himself Mayor of Ock Street for 11 years until 2007.

The results were announced by Mr Ewart Hemmings (on the left). The sash and sword and cup of office were presented by the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Charlie Birks. Roger Cox, the challenger, congratulated Harry Knight. Roger was himself Mayor of Ock Street for several years.

There was a big crowd to see the announcement.

Mr Knight was carried by members of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers along Ock Street, and back.

The sun was shining and the traffic gave way for a few minutes to an old tradition on Ock Street.

There followed a lot more dancing at different places, followed by an evening of feasting, singing, and quaffing at the Abbey Building.