| Where: | Old Woodstock, Oxfordshire Town Hall in the Market Place & River Glyme & Woodstock Social Club |
| When: | Saturday in late July |
| Time: | 2024 from from 3.30 pm (approximate times- see Helpful Hints) |
Old Woodstock in Oxfordshire is the setting for a popular custom which dates back to the eighteenth century, with its origins in making fun of neighbouring New Woodstock with its fancy Town Hall. After a break in the early twentieth century, the festival was revived with enthusiasm in the 1980s. Candidates make their speeches then the committee elect their new Mayor for the year, forming a procession across Blenheim Park to the New Woodstock Town Hall for dancing with morris men and the real Mayor of Woodstock. Expect a parade of the Mayor and officials in fancy dress, accompanied by a Town Crier, from the hustings. The group also includes a standard bearer (particularly nattily dressed when we attended), policemen, banner bearers and the outgoing Mock Mayor……then after the Town Hall the procession returns to Old Woodstock where the Mock Mayor is ducked in the River Glyme and a good time is had by all! The whole mayoral party end up in the river and you can get a great view from the little bridge adjacent to the Black Prince.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it was on Saturday July 20th- 2025 date is yet to be announced. From 2023 there’s a new venue for the post-election festivities at the Social Club (rather than the Black Prince). Follow the Facebook link below for full details.
The timings are a little flexible so allow plenty of time in advance in case you miss anything and keep checking the Facebook page for any amendments – the ducking of the new Mayor takes place after the elections and in 2018 it was before 7pm (whereas the timing on the banners said 7.30) but it just depends on how long it takes for the return walk from the Town Hall.
When not in use, the regalia can be found at the County Museum in Woodstock. A traditional village fete takes place during the afternoon with stalls and entertainments, from 3 pm, and food is available all day and evening. The organisers advise turning up on foot as parking is not available on site (see website link).
In the past it was usually held on the first or second Saturday in August but from 2018 is now late July to avoid clashing with other fixtures.
Click here for the Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Woodstock-Mock-Mayor/199381633415574
and here for a first-hand description of the event: http://traditionalcustomsandceremonies.wordpress.com/?s=woodstock
Thanks Averill for confirming this isn’t on – I was contemplating it! Cheers Tim.
I was planning on going too – just found out for sure yesterday following a committee meeting by the Mock Mayor team earlier this week. One for next year…Bonsall for the Hen races for us instead this time!
Can l boots table for the band please. Mark Unsocial Media
HI Mark – your message has come through to calendarcustoms not the Old Woodstock organisers- go to https://www.facebook.com/mockmayor/ or email owmm1786@outlook.com and you’ll get through to the right place!
Best wishes,
Averil