Diary for 1950

ATMD diary of 1950

Except where there are notes in italic font, this is taken directly from the first notebook of the bagman, Jack Hyde, which is entitled:  THE ABINGDON MORRIS DANCERS DIARY OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 14TH 1949 TO JULY 7TH 1951.  Someone very kindly typed this out in the 1970s or 1980s which has made it easy to scan, though a few transcription errors have been corrected – we have the original notebook (and two more that follow).

MEETING HELD THURSDAY JANUARY 19TH 1950  Practice at Headquarters, all members from Wargrave attended. Arrangements for the election of Mayor was made, the names of Tom Hemmings and Charlie Brett, Jim Hemmings was suggested as likely candidates. Next meeting to be held Thursday February 8th.

[Headquarters was The Happy Dick]

MEETING HELD THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9TH 1950  Owing to illness no dancing or practice of any sort took place, the evening was spent discussing future events. Next meeting February 23rd.

MEETING HELD THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23RD 1950  Practice, “Sally Luker” seems to be a very nice dance, decided to go on with this dance, and also “Maid Of The Mill”. The names submitted as candidates for the office of Mayor were generally accepted by the members present. Next meeting March 2nd.

MEETING HELD MARCH 2ND 1950  Illness again interrupted the practice. Evening spent in a social and general discussion. Next meeting March 16th.

March 16th meeting postponed until March 23rd.

MARCH 23RD MEETING  Received an invitation to the Feast of the Oxford Morris Men. Mr Bardwell, their Musician, played for us during the evening. Major Fryer still sick. Next meeting to be held at a future date.

MEETING HELD APRIL 6TH 1950  General talk on matters concerning voting for the Mayor. Practised “Sally Luker”, and the “Maid Of The Mill”. Suggested by the Wargrave men that we should include some of the general dances in our practice in preparation for the Ring Meeting to be held at Bedford this year. Next meeting April 20th 1950.

MEETING HELD APRIL 20TH 1950  Practice, all our dances had a full side. 4 men turned up from Wargrave including Fred Coxhead. Tom Hemmings notified by the doctor that he would be called to hospital for an operation, future activities in doubt. Next meeting May 4th.

MEETING HELD MAY 4TH 1950  A social evening, talk on the Oxford Morris Feast at the “Ock street Horns” Public House. Our own Headquarters “The Happy Dick” is now closed as a public house, the yard is still open for us to practice. Made further preparations for the Abingdon Morris day and election. It was decided to hold both the dancing and the election on the same day to enable all the many people, who have written to us, to see it.

[According to ‘Inns and Alehouses of Abingdon 1550-1978 by J.Smith & J.Carter, the Happy Dick closed on 14.4.1950.]

MEETING HELD MAY 18TH 1950  Practice for the Morris dance “Maid of the Mill” only, some alteration to the tune of “Curly Headed Plough Boy” was suggested, but not tried out.

MEETING HELD MAY 31ST  Practice “Sally Luker” and “Maid of the Mill”, both dances seem to be coming along very well. Danced the rest of our dances, in preparation for June.

MEETING HELD JUNE 15TH 1950  Arranged for the voting papers to be printed and distributed by the two men nominated for the office of Mayor. Letter received from Mr R Weston of Sidcup, Kent asking permission to take pictures of the dancing on June 24th, permission was granted. Replies sent to others also stating the general outline of the day’s programme.

JUNE 24TH VOTING DAY FOR THE MAYOR OF OCK STREET   Voting papers were delivered to the residents of Ock Street, starting from “The Cock and Tree” – 300 in all. James Hemmings retired from the contest leaving Tom Hemmings and Charles Brett to fight it out between them. Voting commenced at 2pm. The Ballot Box was placed in the doorway of “The Happy Dick”, voters recorded their votes in the street, with the two contestants standing each side of the ballot box to see fair play, we were very fortunate having selected a very fine day. Many sightseers were present during the afternoon, many of them coming very long distances. Some excellent photographs were taken of the ceremony (see photo album).

[The Happy Dick was used as the polling station, even though it was no longer a licensed pub.]

JUNE 24TH CEREMONY CONTINUED  Ballot Box was closed at 4pm. Votes were counted by Mr Turneaux, master teacher at Boxhill Secondary Modern School and Mr Ronald Weston of Sidcup, in the presence of the Abingdon Morris Bagman and Major Francis Fryer, of the Wargrave Morris Men. Result Tom Hemmings elected for the year 1950 -1951 by a majority of 99 votes. Tom 119 votes, Charlie 20 votes. The ancient ceremony of chairing the the Mayor down Ock Street by his supporters was carried out immediately after the result became known, witnessed by a very large crowd.  Tea was taken at Headquarters “The Happy Dick”, served by our hostess Mrs Raymond Hemmings, ably assisted by the Mayoress Mrs Tom Hemmings and a few friends. Guest at the tea was Miss Elizabeth Walsh, Chairman of the Oxford Writers’ Circle, who had taken a very keen interest in the proceedings all the afternoon.  Dancing in the streets commenced at 6pm and lasted until 10.30pm, taking in Ock street, stopping at most of the Inns, the Market Place, finishing up at “The Crown and Thistle Hotel”, Bridge Street.  The takings for the day amounted to £8.8.5. Members taking part during the day were as follows; Thomas Hemmings -Mayor, Major F E Fryer -Musician, John Hemmings Junior -Horn Bearer, Charles E Brett -Leading Dancer, Raymond Hemmings, John Hyde, Reggie Annetts, John Gillett and Fred Coxhead -Dancers. Our guest for the day was Mr Bardwell, Bagman of the Oxford Morris Men, who played a very useful part with the collection box and danced a solo jig in Ock Street, also played his Concertina for the last dance of the evening, at “The Crown and Thistle Hotel”.  We would like to place on record the help given us by the Police, for allowing us to dance in the streets, the able way that P.C. Wells of the Berkshire Constabulary controlled the traffic, and also Mr H. Wheaton, Editor of the North Berks Herald, for publicity, and all the townsfolk who took part, for putting coins in the old traditional collecting box, is really part of the ceremony. The day ended for us with a final dance at Headquarters and a drink at “The Ock Street Horns”.  Total expenses for the day were £1.13.0 Leaving a balance of £6.15.5 .

MEETING HELD JULY 5TH 1950  Proceeded to Wargrave Hall to a dancing festival by the Eastern section of the Oxfordshire, Bucks and Berks Folk Dancing society, under the direction of Miss Gunnel, Reading, gave a full display of Morris on the lawn. Watched the folk dancing in which some of our men took part, had late dinner at Wargrave Hall as guest of Major Fryer, again being fortunate with the weather.  Payment by the society amounted to £5.0.0 Expenses for the evening £6.8.0 leaving a balance of £4.13.4 .

MEETING HELD JULY 7TH 1950  Spent the evening dancing at Newbury before the members of Newbury and District Arts society, in the grounds of Shaw House now used as a school. Afterwards we were entertained at “The Railway Inn”, Newbury by Mr Fred Smith, Landlord, an old Abingdon man. Food and drink was served, altogether a very enjoyable evening with many requests for a return visit.  Fees from the Arts society £3.3.0 Expenses £2.9.0 Balance £0.14.0

MEETING HELD JULY 12TH 1950  At Headquarters practised “Maid Of The Mill”, discussion on Morris Ring Meeting September 9th. Next meeting July 27th.

MEETING JULY 27TH 1950  Proceeded to Abingdon Market Place to meet town clerk and their official photographer in preparation for the 1951 Festival Year. Photo taken. Climbed to the top of the Town Hall, rest of the evening spent practice at H.Q.

MEETING AUGUST 31ST 1950  First practice after the Stratford on Avon meeting, Major Fryer brought news from Wargrave about a team from Bampton. Made final arrangements for our tour – Saturday September 2nd.

[There is no earlier mention of any Stratford on Avon meeting in the notebook, but it is just possible there is a page missing.]

TOUR  SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND 1950  Met at Headquarters 1.30pm. Start was delayed owing to the non appearance of the Horn Bearer. Arrived at Shippon Village 2pm, danced in the courtyard of “The Prince of Wales Feathers”, before quite a large gathering. The dancing was much appreciated by the onlookers, especially the landlord Mr W Smith and his customers. Invited to return at a early date, left Shippon 2.30pm approximately. Arrived at Faringdon 3.15pm, started dancing outside “The Bell Hotel”, asked by the Police to choose another site, as we were holding up the traffic in the main road. Met some colonials from Australia who had never seen it before, but had read quite a lot about Morris dancing in books and newspapers. Left Faringdon at 4pm approximately. Arrived Wantage just after 4pm, proceeded to a cafe in Grove Street for tea. Commenced dancing in the Market Place, went through all our dances. Jigs were performed by Reggie and Fred Coxhead. Photographs taken by an American visitor also films by Reading Mercury Newspaper man. Left Wantage 5.30pm. Arrived Lamborne 6pm, danced on the village square, met two people from Bournemouth, both Morris Dancers, afterwards we were invited to the British Legion Club, after being welcomed by the Secretary, in the absence of the President owing to illness. Spent a very enjoyable evening Morris and Folk Dancing. Takings £7.14.101/2 Expenses .£2. 2.101/2 Balance £5.12.0 .

[The entry in the notebook for this is MORRIS RING MEETING BEDFORD 1950 OCTOBER 9TH, but it is out of sequence in the notebook and in fact this Ring Meeting was SEPTEMBER 9TH]

MORRIS RING MEETING BEDFORD 1950 SEPTEMBER 9TH  Left Abingdon at 9.30am, raining. Arrived at Bedford 4.30pm after taking part in dancing displays at villages en route, together with the Midland Morris Men, constituting Tour D. See Morris Ring program for 1950. Took tea in the school dining hall, a large number of Morris dancers were assembled.  Meeting of Squires and Bagmen took place in the school committee room, business, election of two more teams to the Ring, Chipping Campden and South Berks, Chipping Campden’s election held over for the time being. All dancers assembled at the “Close”, club dancing and displays were given, Abingdon’s contribution being “Jockey to the Fair” and by special request Abingdon’s version of “Princess Royal”, both dances were very much appreciated by a very large gathering, which included among other notable personages, his worship the Mayor of Bedford. The weather was still bad for Morris Dancing and the going heavy.  Dinner and Morris Ale was taken at the Electricity Mens Club Room, speeches were made by the Bedford squire, Mr Arnold. Toast of the visitors by Kenworthy Scholfield, Ring, Mayor of Bedford and others. Songs were sung by the members including one old folk song by Major Fryer our musician. Collections taken during the day was handed to the Bedford Bagman during the evening, amount collected by the Abingdon team not known, but is considered to be a fair amount judging from the weight of the box, and the value of the coins visible. Left Bedford at 10.45pm in thick mist or fog, had fuel trouble with bus, passed through the towns of Hemel Hempstead and Aylesbury with a terrific bang every few yards. The trouble was located and overcome just before we entered Thame. Arrived Abingdon 1.30am still raining.  Expenses Lunch on tour 6 men at 4/- each £ 1.4.0 Tea and Feast 6 men at 6/- each £ 1.16.0  Total £ 3.0.0 .

[South Berks mentioned as new Ring members here was a morris team based in Newbury.  Its final performance was in 1966 (actually during the World Cup final!).  Alec Tofield was a prominent member and after 1966 would regularly appear at Mayor’s Day in his South Berks kit.]

MEETING H.Q. SEPTEMBER 21ST  Practice and social evening. Proposed by Reggie Annetts and seconded by the Mayor Mr Tom Hemmings, that any of our members who lost time from work to visit Bedford on September 9th should be compensated out of club funds -unanimously carried, two members claimed and were paid 12/- each. Reference was made by Mr C Brett of a proposed visit to Shippon village later in the year, on the occasion of “The Prince of Wales” Club Festivities. Next meeting to be held October 4th 1950.

MEETING H.Q. OCTOBER 4TH 1950 Program discussed for winter meetings. No practice owing to the weather. Offer by Mr Harvey, Headmaster at the Boxhill Secondary Modern School, Abingdon of the use of hut at the school for practice during the winter months accepted. Arrangements made for the team of boys from the school to be taught Abingdon traditional Morris dancing. Next meeting to be held October 17th at Boxhill.

MEETING HELD OCTOBER 17TH 1950 First meeting held at our new practice room at Boxhill School was well attended, about a dozen schoolboys put in an appearance, eager to learn the Abingdon dances and showed great promise. The men again tried out the “Maid of the Mill” dance with very little success. Arrangements were made with Mr Harvey for future meetings, Wednesdays not always convenient. Decided to bring in Tuesday evening alternately. Next meeting to take place at Boxhill on November 1st.

MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 1ST 1950  Practised all dances, again good attendance, boys making good progress with the morris steps. Next meeting November 14th.

MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 14TH 1950  Practised most of the dances with Mr Turneaux at the piano. “Shepherds Aye” Headington version was demonstrated by the three men from Wargrave and afterwards tried out by all present. The dance was quickly mastered, it was decided to include this dance in our regular fortnightly meetings. Next meeting November 28th.

MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 28TH 1950  The usual practice took place, again quite a good number of pupils attended the class, some of them show excellent promise. The sum of 12/- was paid out to each of the two men for loss of time, at the Bedford meeting i.e. 24/-. Next meeting December 13th.

MEETING HELD DECEMBER 13TH 1950  Mr Harvey, Headmaster of Boxhill School and a member of the Abingdon Festival of Britain Committee brought an invitation from the Council, to hold the Autumn Ring meeting at Abingdon in 1951. Arrangements were made for Major Fryer to get in touch with the Ring Bagman and other officials of that body. Practice as usual, the headmaster himself taking part with the boys. Owing to the Christmas holiday it was decided not to hold another meeting until January 17th 1951.