ATMD diary of 1951

 Except where there are notes in italic font, the first part of this diary 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 here.  The second part is from Jack Hyde’s second notebook.  It is not transcribed exactly word for word as in some places it is not that legible and in others it is not a full account, just the financial details.

 

MEETING HELD JANUARY 17TH 1951  Met at Boxhill School for practice. Mr Bardwell, the Oxford Bagman brought an invitation for the team to visit Thame, Oxfordshire on June 16th 1951.   The team was also invited to give a short display of dancing at the English Folk Dance Ball to be held in the Reading Town Hall on February 25th. Mention was also made about the Festival at Windsor in May.  Next meeting to be held on January 30th at Boxhill.

MEETING HELD JANUARY 30TH   Practice by the senior team for the coming engagements. The junior team making good progress for their show in the Abbey grounds on May 14th.  A letter was received from Miss Stace, Secretary of Headington Branch of English Folk and Dance Club stating terms for the Thame Festival on June 16th. Also one from Miss Wilks, Windsor Secretary, stating terms for their Festival May 26th 1951.  Both engagements were accepted, transport for the journey was arranged as follows: engage a 29 seater coach for Windsor and take the juniors with us, for Thame, Major Fryer kindly gave us the use of his private shooting brake.  It was also agreed to make special efforts to raise a team for Reading Town Hall on February 23rd. The sum of 15/- was paid to Mr W Hackett for loss of wages incurred Saturday morning September 2nd 1950. Next meeting to be held at Boxhill School on February 14th 1951.

MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 14TH 1951   Practice as usual both teams. A letter received on February 6th from Major Fryer stating that the Committee arranging the Festival Ball at Reading cannot now afford to engage the Abingdon Team, was read at the meeting and the engagement was therefore cancelled. Next meeting at Boxhill February 27th.

MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 27TH 1951  Practice meeting, music played by Mr Furneaux. Major Fryer unable to attend owing to illness.  A letter was read from Miss Mattick, Aldershot, inviting the teams to a Adult Dancing Festival to be held in that town on June 16th 1951, as we were already engaged to dance at Thame on that date, the engagement was very reluctantly turned dqwn. Next meeting at Boxhill March 14th.

MEETING HELD MARCH 14TH 1951  A letter was received from Mr Carter, Headmaster of Lamborne school, inviting the team to Lamborne on May 14th 1951. A reply was sent accepting the engagement on the terms offered.  It was also agreed to visit Wargrave Hall Garden Party at the invitation of Miss Gunnel, Secretary of the English Folk Dance and Song Society Eastern Section, to be held on June 13th 1951. Next meeting at Boxhill April 11th.

MEETING HELD APRIL 11TH 1951   A letter was received from Mr John Grimsdale, Secretary of Abingdon Horticultural Society, inviting the team to give a display of Morris Dancing in the Abbey Grounds, Abingdon, on Saturday July 14th 1951 on the occasion of the Flower Show.  Both teams practised as usual. Next meeting to be held on May 10th at Headquarters “The Happy Dick”, Ock Street, Boxhill School being closed for holidays.

MEETING HELD MAY 10TH 1951  Met at Headquarters for practice, and made final arrangements for our visit to Lamborne on May 14th.  The team will travel in the shooting brake, leaving Headquarters not later than 2pm.  Several of the junior team attended for practice.  Date for the next meeting left open until arrangements can be made with the Headmaster, Boxhill School.

LAMBOURN CHURCH FETE MAY 14TH 1951  The team started from Headquarters at 2.15pm, arrived Lamborne in good time, changed in a barn belonging to a well known race horse trainer, after watching the children give a display of Maypole Dancing, had tea, gave a show of Abingdon Traditional Dances which were very much appreciated by the spectators and the organisers who expressed a wish that we should visit Lamborne again at some future date.  Stopped on the way home for drinks and refreshments at Drayton. Arrived Abingdon 7.30pm approximately. Drinks were also taken at the Ock Street Horns. Cash account for the day: Received from Committee Lamborne Church Fete £3.0.0 Expenditure for drinks and refreshments £1.1.5 Balance £1.18.7 .

MEETING HELD AT HQ MAY 22ND 1951  A letter was read from Mr Armstrong, Chairman of the Sutton Courtney Church Fete Committee, asking if it would be possible for the team to give a display in the Abbey Gardens, Sutton on Saturday June 2nd 1951. Reply sent accepting the invitation and take the junior team with us if transport can be arranged.  Final arrangements were made for the Festival at Windsor, May 26th. South Berks Team will have the use of the shooting brake, Abingdon to engage a 29 seater coach and take the junior team.  Enquiries were sent from Wooton, Berks for a team to visit them on July 7th. Next meeting June 5th at Boxhill School.

MAY 26TH 1951 WINDSOR E.F.D.&S.S. FESTIVAL  Left Abingdon by coach at 1pm with Miss Baxter in charge of the junior team. Arrived Wargrave 2pm approximately, picked up Major Fryer and the rest of the Wargrave party, including Mrs Annetts and family, arrived Windsor 3.30pm, Southern Railway station, as scheduled to meet the British Broadcasting van. Commenced dancing outside the station, where a record was taken and broadcast over the air the following week. The next dancing point was in front of Windsor Castle, where further commentaries were to be made, but owing to the heavy rain, had to be abandoned.  Tea was taken at the King Edwards Horse Hall. Displays of Morris was given by the Abingdon Team during the evening. Some of the men took part in the Folk Dancing which followed, until 8pm. Started home 8.30pm approximately, still raining. All expenses were paid by the Windsor Branch of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, amounting to £9.10.0, made up as follows: Hire of Coach £9.0.0 Out of pocket expenses £0.10.0 TOTAL £9.10.0 .

CHURCH FETE SUTTON COURTNEY JUNE 2ND 1951  The team left Abingdon at 3pm in Major Fryer’s brake, together with the junior team from Boxhill, who travelled with Mr Armitage, Chairman of the Fete Committee. Displays were given during the afternoon by both teams on the lawn at Sutton Abbey before a very large audience, who judging from the applause enjoyed the performance very much. The Chairman of Fete Committee personally thanked the teams for their efforts and expressed a wish that we would come again another time and that the church funds had benefited by £120 from the afternoons takings.  A short display was given at Drayton on our way home, very much enjoyed by the customers and landlord of The Red Lion Inn. The cup was filled and passed round amongst the onlookers. A collection taken here realised £1.14.10. Arrived home 10.30pm.  Cash account as follows: Fete Committee £3.0.0, Collection at Drayton £1.14.10, £4.14.10.  Drinks at New Inn Sutton £0.12.0, Red Lion Drayton £1.17.0, £2.9.0.  Balance £2.5.10 .

MEETING HELD JUNE 5TH 1951   Met at Boxhill School for practice. Mr Douglas invited the teams to give a display at Milton Church Fete to be held at Milton on July 7th.  Next meeting to be held at Headquarters The Happy Dick on June 12th.

MEETING HELD JUNE 12TH 1951  Final arrangements were made for the Garden Party to be held at Wargrave Hall on June 13th. Miss Gunnell would like the team to arrive in time to give a display, during the interval of the Folk Dancing by the Eastern Branch of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Arrangements were also made for the Fete at Thame, Oxfordshire to be held on June 16th.  Nominations for the Mayor of Ock Street: Thomas Hemmings nominated by Major Fryer, Raymond Hemmings nominated by John Grimsdale, Charles Brett nominated by Mr R Annetts, James Hemmings nominated by John Hyde, Mr James Hemmings withdrew.  Saturday June the 23rd was the date chosen for the Election, Ballot Box to be closed at 4pm, dancing in the streets after tea.  It was also decided to invite the Oxford Morris Men and the junior team from Boxhill Secondary Modern School to take part in the dancing.  The coach for Wargrave, June 13th, to leave Headquarters not later than 6.30pm.

WARGRAVE HALL JUNE 13TH 1951 – GARDEN PARTY  Departed from Abingdon 6.30pm as arranged, arrived Wargrave 7.45pm. Folk Dancing in full swing on the lawn. Gave a full display of Abingdon Traditional Dances during the interval, weather good. Afterwards the team partook late supper and drinks with Major Fryer as his guests. Arrived home just after midnight.   Fees from the Society Branch £5.0.0 Expenses Nil Balance £5.0.0

FESTIVAL FETE THAME E.F.D.S.S. – OXFORD BRANCH JUNE 16TH 1951  The team left Abingdon at 1.30pm en route for Thame in Major Fryer’s shooting brake, members taking part on this occasion were as follows: Tom Hemmings – Mayor, Major Fryer -Musician, James Hemmings -Horn Bearer, William Hackett – Fool, Raymond Hemmings – Dancer, Charles Brett – Dancer, Reggie Annetts – Dancer, Fred Coxhead – Dancer, John Grimsdale – Dancer, John Hyde – Dancer and Bagman, Leslie Argyle Dancer and Collector.  The team gave displays of Abingdon Traditional Dances in the Market Place, Thame, before a very large audience one or two taking part in the Folk Dancing, in ideal weather. Mr Matthews the well known broadcaster was the M.C. Five Morris teams took part during the afternoon. Had tea at Thame. Met Mr Dinking Wells*, the old musician from Bampton, also some of the Bampton Dancers.  The Bampton Team were invited to Abingdon on the occasion of Electing the Mayor of Ock Street, to be held on Saturday June 23rd. Left Thame 6pm approximately. Arrived at Long Wittenham, 7.15pm. Had drinks at the Vine public house, gave a display to the villagers afterwards. Made a collection. Left for Drayton 8pm had drinks at The Red Lion, gave displays to the customers which was very much appreciated, especially by the Landlord, Mr Gowney who filled our traditional drinking cup several times, it was noticed on this occasion that the wooden cup in question was beginning to leak.  Collection taken here with good results. Many of the villagers were beginning to assemble on the main road, some of them invited us to return to Drayton at a later date and give a show on the Green.  Arrived Abingdon 10pm.  Cash account for the day: Receipts: Thame E.F & D.S. Committee £5.0.0, Donation Mr Fryer £1.0.0, Donation Mrs Bardwell £0.5.0, Collections £2.17.0, TOTAL £9.2.0. Expenditure: Refreshments at Wittenham £0.14.4, Refreshments at Appleford £2.12.6, TOTAL £3.6.10, BALANCE £5.15.2 .

[* No doubt this was ‘Jinky’ Wells]

ABINGDON JUNE 23RD 1951 ELECTION OF MAYOR  The annual ceremony of electing The Mayor of Ock street was carried out this day.  Voting took place at H.Q. “The Happy Dick” between the hours of  1pm and 4.30pm, the number of votes cast on this occasion was slightly heavier than previous years. Counting of ballot papers commenced at 4.35pm, completed 5pm.  result, the retiring Mayor Mr Tom Hemmings unanimously elected for a further term of Office for 1951-52.  The traditional ceremony of chairing the newly elected Mayor took place immediately after, watched by a very large number of spectators from many parts of the country, a short display of dancing was given outside HQ for the benefit of the many photographers present. Tea was taken in the gardens behind HQ. Visiting teams and invited guests numbering 27. Sat down to an excellent tea, catered for by Mrs Raymond Hemmings our hostess, ably assisted by the Mayoress Mrs Tom Hemmings, Mrs Ridge and others. Dancing in the streets started after tea, at all the usual stopping places in Ock Street. Teams taking part were as follows: Abingdon Morris Dancers, the newly formed junior team from Abingdon Boxhill Secondary Modern School by permission of Mr Harvey, Headmaster, and the Oxford Morris Men, Leader and Bagman Mr L Bardwell. Displays were also given outside the cinema, The Market Place and The Crown and Thistle Hotel, drinks and refreshments were taken here. Both Oxford and the boys team left for home after the display at the Market Place. Rain began to fall at about 9.45pm, arrived back at HQ 10.30pm approximately.  Cash account for the day: Receipts Collections Boxes £12.10.0, Expenditure £8.2.11, Balance £4.7.1 .

JULY 7TH 1951 MILTON CHURCH FETE AND TOUR  The team arrived at Milton R.A.F. Sports Field 2.30pm, gave a short display, had tea then proceeded to Wallingford, Didcot, Harwell and Steventon. Danced in the market place at Wallingford, The Kicking Donkey at Harwell, The White Hart Didcot, The Kings Arms Steventon.  Team for the day: Tom Hemmings, Major Fryer, C. Brett, J. Grimsdale, Ray Hemmings, J. Hyde, R. Annetts, F. Coxhead, W. Hackett.  Expenses Fee Milton Fete £3.0.0, Collections £4.5.71/2, Total £7.5.71/2, Drinks and refreshments: Wallingford £0.12.81/2, Didcot £0.12.9, Harwell £0.12.3, Steventon £0.11.0 £2. 8.81/2, Balance £4.16.11 .

 

 

[Following is from the second notebook]

 

JULY 14th ABINGDON FS (Flower Show) AND SHIPPON   Fee AFS £3.3.0, Shippon Collection £1.11.31/2 , Drinks and Refreshements £0.17.6. 

JULY 18th MEETING to discuss Oxford Ring Meeting Sept 14th.  Drinks 10/-.

AUGUST 1st MEETING to arrange Hungerford tour.  Drinks 6/81/2 .

SATURDAY AUGUST 11th HUNGERFORD TOUR  Receipts Nil.  Expenses: Teas 11/11, Refreshments Newbury 8/81/2 & 8/2, Refreshments Drayton 7/2, Total £1.15.111/2 .  Personnel: Charlie, Jack, Tom, Mr Fryer, Mr Bardwell, R. Hemmings, Brian (Clarke?), Fred (Coxhead) , W.Kent  .

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10th  Met Mr Bardwell at HQ to arrange tour for Sat 15th.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11th  Meeting at HQ decided that the teams in Tour F on Sat 15th should combine and visit Benson, Watlington, Dorchester before lunch, give a display at Abingdon, then proceed to Clifton Hampden, Sandford, Littlemore and Iffley in the afternoon.  Expenses 6/5.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14th  RING MEETING OXFORD  12 suppers @ 2/9 £1.13.0.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15th  RING MEETING OXFORD    11 teas 16/6, 12 feasts, £3, 21 lunches £3.3.0, lodgings (5 for 2 nights) £3.10.0.   [There are other expenses listed which are not that clear, but include some payments to South Berks and Wargrave teams.]   [The Oxford bagman’s notebook for the Festival of Britain Autumn Ring Meeting has detailed entries for each team that attended, including in most cases their signatures.  Abingdon’s entry has signatures from J.Hyde, Tom Hemmings, J.Hemmings, W.Hackett, R.F.Annetts*, B.C.West, F.T.Coxhead*, J.H.Grimsdale, C.E.Brett, W.H.Kent*, F.E.Fryer* (the * indicates ‘Wargrave men’ in this notebook).  Also Les Argyle is noted as attending but did not sign the book, and Mr Harvey, headmaster of Boxhill school, is down as having taken Friday supper and attended the Feast on the Saturday.  The notebook also report that the ‘boys team’ danced on the Saturday.  South Berks also attended, and John Gillett signed in as their bagman – he also had danced with Abingdon in 1949.].

MEETING OCTOBER 10th at Boxhill School. 8pm practice.  Tour for October 13th cancelled.

MEETING 23rd OCTOBER HQ to discuss letter from Mr D. Kennedy re London Jan 4-5th, invitation accepted if favourable to Wargrave.

OCTOBER 24th PRACTICE at Boxhill School, letter read from D. Kennedy re dancing at Albert Hall, London on Jan 4-5th 1952, agreed unanimously to accept the invitation.

MEETING NOVEMBER 7th at Boxhill, Major Fryer indisposed.  Mr Kent and Mr Annetts from Wargrave.  John Gillett asked to London.

MEETING NOVEMBER 20th  Practice with Mr Furneaux, wet night.  No Wargrave men, 4 Abingdon, 8 boys.

MEETING DECEMBER 5th at Boxhill.  All Wargrave men there.  Letter from London re Albert Hall Jan 4-5th.

MEETING DECEMBER 19th at Boxhill practice.  All Wargrave.  Next meeting Jan 2nd, Cross Keys, 8pm.