| Where: | Abingdon, Oxon at Ock Street |
| When: | Saturday nearest June 19th (usually!) |
| Time: | From 10am with elections at 4. |
Ock Street is situated in Abingdon and each year a mock-Mayor is elected by its residents; he has no powers or official duties and acts as the Squire of the local Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. The election is a great excuse for a day of performing and ale-quaffing; dancing begins at 10am with the elections at 4pm followed by the newly elected Mayor being ceremonially chaired through the streets. Further festivities culminate with the last dances in the Market Place around 9pm; morris sides from around the country are invited to participate. A pair of ox-horns on a pole are carried by the dancers – they date back to 1700 and the men won’t dance without them; the horns and other regalia including a wooden cup are associated with the founding of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Side and their ancient rivalry with the Vineyard men from the town centre.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it should be on Saturday 22nd June. Follow the links below for up-to-date info.
Ock Street is a continuation of the High Street and the election takes place outside the Brewery Tap pub.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/abingdonmorris
Click here for the website : http://atmd.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR2Kl2ZIbVnR_XPe8UTn-GhsZav820AJZ3rJmY-4UKu-33oxLgNuSXApQEA
Sounds fun. In 2024, we are planning to have the Abingdon Passion Play on June 22nd which I fear is the Saturday nearest the Wednesday 19th June 2024. Is there any chance you could be on the Saturday 14th, or is this impossible to move? Another idea, is to have the Morris dancing partly in the Abbey Grounds where the Play will take place?!
Hi Sally , your message has come through to calendarcustons.com rather than to Abingdon Morris-if you follow the links under Helpful Hints on the calendarcustoms page you can get in touch directly with them (we haven’t any connection to their organisation!). You’re well in advance-best of luck!
Averil