Quick links to 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Source material for this period:
- Entries in Scrapbook 1 (SB1)
- Newspaper cuttings, mostly from the Oxford Mail (OM)
- Miscellaneous photographs not in SB1 – mostly used for identifying dancers.
- 1960-69 Paper archives, which are mostly correspondence received. These were bound into two files covering 1960-64 and 1965-68, but have been unbound as they weren’t all filed in chronological order. For some years (but not all) the Balance sheets also survive.
- Personal communications with B.Tofield and J.Walker (Abingdon dancers from 1966 onwards), J.Watmough (past squire of OUMM and OCMM), and C.Applegate (dancer from 1967 onwards).
Other abbreviations used:
- EFDSS: English Folk Dance and Song Society
- MM: Morris Men (eg as in Wargrave MM)
- OCMM: Oxford City Morris Men
- OUMM: Oxford University Morris Men
- DoD: Day of Dance
Saturday 19th June 1965: Mayor’s Day. This was also the date of OUMM Day of Dancing, which involved OUMM, OCMM, Jockey, Chipping Campden, Whitchurch, S,Berks and Kennet. Despite this, photos show that Len Bardwell, John White, Pat Patterson, Les Argyle and (probably) Peter Jeal turned out for Abingdon, rather than an Oxford team, that day. Others recognisable from photos of the day are Charlie Brett (Mayor), Brian Clark, Roy Dommett and Jack Hyde. Pat Patterson carried the horns in the procession (Johnny Grimsdale is not in any of the photos). Bampton came over and accompanied the chairing procession – one of them (Cyril Smith) helped to carry the chair. A photo of the 1965 procession later appeared on the cover of English Dance & Song, winter 1966. Fred Stimpson was the Returning Officer, Charlie Brett beat Brian Clark in the election, and the event was based at the new HQ, the Crown. A leaflet given to Ock Street residents alonmg with their voting slips said ‘Recently it has been a struggle to find enough local dancers. We appeal to you for support to keep the old tradition alive’. The event was reported in the Oxford Mail of 21st June 1965, p5.
In July 1965, an OUMM week-long tour of Somerset (under their tour name of the Ancient Men) was organised by Pat Patterson. They were short of men so they co-opted Julian Pilling (who had toured with them before) and Roy Dommett (who had not toured before) to make up numbers. During this tour there was a meeting to discuss the manpower problems that Abingdon were having, and whether any OUMM dancers might help them out. The result was that they decided ‘to give Abingdon another year’ and two of the OUMM men on that tour, Bruce Tofield and Johnny Walker, agreed to help Abingdon as dancers. Bruce Tofield was at that time the squire of OUMM – he was brought up in Newbury, he had danced with South Berks as a boy along with his father (Alec) and uncle (Rupert) and his parents were staunch members of Berkshire EFDSS. Johnny Walker, a Yorkshireman, succeeded Bruce as squire of OUMM in 1966.
3rd-5th September 1965: Oxford Ring Meeting. Abingdon attended this, the 100th Ring Meeting which was organised by OCMM (whose bagman was John White). SB1 has the programme, but we have no details of who represented Abingdon.
Bruce Tofield recalls that he and Johnny Walker joined Abingdon around autumn 1965 and would catch the bus over from Oxford for practices at the Crown. They would sometimes play crib with Jack Hyde in the Black Swan before catching the bus back to Oxford. Bruce also recalls that he and Johnny Walker were made very welcome by Charlie Brett and Jack Hyde.
19th February: At the Ring Reps’ Meeting, Abingdon were represented by Pat Patterson, who had recently moved to London.
Practices (probably monthly) continued at the Crown.
An undated letter (probably around March 1966) from Abingdon Town Friendship Society to Jack Hyde was received saying that the Mayor of Argentan has asked if a folk lore group from Abingdon could take part in an Anglo-French fete at the county town of Alençon. They would pay for a coach to Southampton and the French would meet them over there, so the only expense would be the boat fare. They would need to travel overnight on Friday 24th June and back overnight on Sunday 26th if they needed to work on the Monday. It also says the football team have been and had a wonderful time. Various other letters followed this, including details of passport applications, ferry times, etc.
Sunday 1st May 1966: Oxford May Morning. Abingdon sent a team to this for the first time, as did South Berks and Manchester Morris Men (which included Julian Pilling) as well as OUMM and OCMM. Manchester processed all the way up High Street to Carfax, while Abingdon were in the other procession that ended up in Broad Street and danced to a huge audience there. Both Charlie Brett and Jack Hyde actually danced at this event. Bruce Tofield danced with 3 teams – OUMM, Abingdon and South Berks. Johnny Walker was squire of OUMM at this time, and so did not dance with Abingdon. The Abingdon ‘tail’ (presumably part of the Fool’s equipment) was lost. Len Bardwell did not attend, and the music was mostly provided by John White, who was just learning the Abingdon tunes.
The following were subjects of invitations / requests but we don’t know if they were actually done:
- Saturday 14th May: Westminster Day of Dancing.
- Whit Monday 30th May Radley WI fete followed by Bampton. (we know that Abingdon did go to Bampton)
Saturday 11th June 1966 EFDSS Oxford District ‘Abingdon Folk Festival’ at the Guildhall, organised by Dennis Manners, and Paddy O’Neill was also involved. Abingdon did just two dances as part of a large programme that also included the Yetties, the Ranters band, OCMM, Kennet (rapper), Lutterworth Boys (4 spots) and the District Dancers.
Saturday 18th June 1966: Mayor’s Day. Bob Danvers-Walker (TV, Radio & Newsreel Commentator) came to record for BBC radio’s “The Countryside in June”. Charlie Brett beat Brian Clark by 53 votes to 40. Polling station was the Crown and the Mayor of Abingdon John Jones was in attendance, along with Returning Officer Fred Stimpson. From photos we can identify: Charlie Brett (Mayor), Brian Clark (wearing a ‘deputy mayor’ sash), Len Bardwell (musician). Roy Dommett, Peter Jeal, Pat Patterson, Les Argyle, Jack Hyde, and possibly Bruce Tofield and Paddy O’Neill. Bampton came for tea and joined in the evening dancing, which started at the White Horse. Mayor’s Day was reported in the Oxford Mail of 20th June 1966, p5. Teas at the Crown cost £16/4/6 (there was a large contingent from Bampton).
Friday 24th – Sunday 26th June 1966: Visit to Alençon, France, Abingdon’s first overseas tour. Neither Len Bardwell nor John White were available, so Frank Jeal was invited to provide the music. The party consisted of Alderman Fred Stimpson (President), Charlie Brett (Mayor), Jack Hyde, John Grimsdale, Leslie Argyle, Brian Clark, Frank Jeal, Peter Jeal, Pat Patterson, Paddy O’Neill (who had danced with Abingdon in 1960-61), Bruce Tofield, John Walker and Dave Webb, the latter two making their first public appearance for Abingdon. [Dave Webb was a third recruit from OUMM who probably had not been to Abingdon practices, but filled in as fool. He was a folk singer, and married the singer who became Peta Webb.] They sailed on the 11pm ferry from Southampton, arriving in Le Havre at 6am. Their French hosts were not due to pick them up until 9am so they visited a local bar. As a result of this, Pat Patterson was too ill to dance for the rest of the weekend. According to John Walker, the mayor of Alençon made a long speech in French and presented Charlie with an elaborate gift; Charlie replied briefly in his local Berkshire English and presented the bemused Mayor of Alençon with an Abingdon souvenir tea-spoon. Fred Stimpson had arranged for the production of a two page French leaflet describing Abingdon Morris and the Mayor of Ock Street. Besides dancing on the Saturday, there was a big parade on the Sunday in which Abingdon morris were number 19 out of 20 in the procession. The weekend was apparently a celebration of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
A letter from John White to Jack Hyde dated 11th July 1966 asks if there will be any ATMD events soon as Oxford don’t dance during August so he, P Jeal and one or two others are more available. [This is the first recorded reference to Abingdon Traditional Morris Dacers (ATMD) rather than Abingdon Morris Men]. The letter also says that Len Bardwell is back at home but still under treatment – he had been in hospital.
Saturday 13th August 1966: Cholsey Village Show and tour. The tour included Goring.
Saturday 10th September 1966: Oxford City MM Day of Dancing
Saturday 8th October: Jack Hyde and Charlie Brett were invited to OUMM’s Feast at the Royal Oxford.
A letter from Frank Purslow to Jack Hyde from early November 1966 refers to someone in Abingdon who runs ‘something like the Scouts’ having approached Bampton to teach them some Morris, but he was told that Abingdon had their own team, at which he was amazed. This was Ray Applegate, who was born in Bampton but was living in Station Road, Abingdon.
Friday 25th November: Jack Hyde and Charlie Brett were invited to Headington Quarry MM’s Feast.
The front cover photograph of the winter 1966 edition of English Dance & Song 28(5) showed the 1965 Abingdon Mayor’s Day Procession, photo credited to Brian Shuel.
Saturday 18th February 1967: Len Bardwell died. The funeral was at Headington Crematorium on Wednesday 22nd February.
Abingdon practices in 1967 were held on the first Monday of the month at the Railway Inn, and continued into the summer.
A letter dated 6th March 1967 from Frank Purslow to Jack Hyde said that ‘a chap named Raymond Applegate’ had got in touch with Bampton asking them to teach his scouts morris dancing, but Bampton won’t do that for people outside the village. Frank said he had sent word for him (via the Bampton carrier) to contact Jack Hyde.
In 1965 Ray Applegate had taken the Scouts from Faringdon District to St Valery en Caux for a weeks camping. It was decided to go again in 1967 but this time they wanted to take something quintessentially English with them. Ray,who was born in Bampton, thought of morris dancing and contacted Francis Shergold, who told him that with their tradition of only teaching men from the village to dance he couldn’t help, but suggested that Abingdon could probably do this. As a result, practices for some of the scout leaders plus Ray’s 10 year old son Chris were given weekly practices on Thursdays in the Badminton Court at Longworth Manor and later on in the streets of Longworth. Those who went over to Longworth to teach the dances included Jack Hyde (who played mouth organ), Johnny Grimsdale, Roy Dommett (who played the accordion), Brian Clark, Bruce Tofield and Johnny Walker. The scouts duly took the dances over to France and even, on a day trip to Paris, danced under the Eiffel Tower. On their return, the following at least joined the Abingdon morris team: Ray Applegate, his son Chris Applegate, Ray’s brother Tony Applegate, Mick Furze, Bill Mattingley and Richard Holland. Abingdon morris was saved by this influx of a large number of local (and, importanly, young) people.
Saturday 13th May 1967: Westminster Day of Dance. It seems that Abingdon were not allowed to attend the Feast as they had tried to book too late, but they danced during the day.
In a letter dated 7th June 1967 to Jack Hyde, Pat Patterson says he has been approached by a Wantage fiddler, Chris Bartram, who wants to play for Abingdon (but not to dance), and asks if he should join the Thursday practices, also that he will he will bring him to Mayor’s Day.
Saturday 17th June: Mayor’s Day. Polling was at the Crown, Fred Stimpson was returning officer, and Charlie Brett beat Brian Clark by 146 votes to 30. With the new recruits there were 18 men (and boys) out in Abingdon colours and John White later remarked that the keenness of the boys was to be appreciated. Apart from the new recruits, the following are identifiable from photos of the day: Charlie Brett (Mayor), Johnny Grimsdale (hornbearer), John White (musician), Brian Clark with extra sash (Deputy Mayor), Les Argyle, Pat Patterson, Roy Dommett, Peter Jeal, and the fool was Dave Webb. Chris Bartram made his first appearance as an Abingdon musician. Once again a two sided handout was circulated giving an explanation of the day and its history, with Jack Hyde’s address at the bottom. In the evening, Bampton, OUMM and Chipping Campden joined in the evening dancing in Ock Street. Mayor’s Day was reported in the Oxford Mail of 19th June 1967, p1.
Friday 7th July 1967: New Inn, Longworth. Ray Applegate invited Abingdon for an evening of dancing, beer and sandwiches as a thank you for letting him and his scouts participate in Mayor’s Day. He invited Bampton too.
Monday 17th July 1967: Evening tour, starting at the Lion at Culham.
Saturday 12th August 1967: Cholsey Flower Show, possibly with a tour afterwards.
Saturday 28th August 1967: Drayton Feast, followed by a tour of East Ilsley, Steventon and Drayton Labour Club.
Saturday 23rd September:.The Close, Burcot (old folks home)
Saturday 21st October 1967: Jack Hyde and Charlie Brett were invited to OUMM’s Feast at the Royal Oxford Hotel.
Friday 24th November 1967: Headington Quarry MM invited two members to their Feast at the Masons Arms, Charlie Brett and Les Argyle attended.
At some point, probably after Mayor’s Day 1967, Colin Corner, a Liverpudlian who had recently moved to Abingdon, saw the Abingdon morris team and decided he wanted to join. He was working at that time as a storeman in one of the Oxford University laboratores and made contact with Bruce Tofield, who was doing research in the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. Bruce gave him details of Abingdon practices.
A January 1968 circular from Berkshire EFDSS lists Abingdon practices as the first Monday at the Railway Inn. Later on, they became fortnightly. Roy Dommett wrote to Jack Hyde around this time apologising for his absence at recent practices, saying he was busy preparing to visit Woomera, Australia (his day job was as a very senior rocket scientist).
Saturday 17th February 1968: OUMM invited Jack Hyde and Charlie Brett to their Ale at the Kings Arms, Gosford.
Saturday 23rd March 1968: Abingdon’s first Ale at the Railway Inn. Cold food plus hire of room (£3), totalled £8-18-4.
The Mayor’s chair was reupholstered by Coxeters at a cost of £7-15-0 (receipted invoice dated 11th April 1968).
Saturday 11th May 1968: Longworth school’s May Fair. Not clear if this invitation was accepted.
17-19th May 1968: Thaxted Ring Meeting. Abingdon sent a full side, 11 men sleeping in the British Legion Hut, one of whom was probably the coach driver. Ray Applegate arranged for a 12 seater coach and driver from Hughes Coaches (Bampton) at a cost of £24. Abingdon were on tour no 2 and the team included Les Argyle, Bill Mattingley, Chris Applegate, Tony Applegate, Ray Applegate, Mick Furze, Pat Patterson, Bruce Tofield, Johnny Walker and John White.
Whit Monday 3rd June 1968: Abingdon visited Bampton in the evening though as it rained heavily most of the evening was spent in the pub. It’s possible that in the afternoon they also danced at the Rose Queen Festival at Longworth Manor.
Saturday 8th June 1968: Abingdon Round Table June Fair, two shows. Letter of thanks for the dancing received later, along with a cheque for £5/10/0.
Saturday 22nd June 1968: Mayor’s Day. Polling at the Crown 12-4pm. Result: Charlie Brett 146 votes, Les Argyle 38 votes. Fred Stimpson returning officer, the town mayor Leslie Steggles in attendance. From photographs the following are identifiable: Pat Patterson (hornbearer), Charlie Brett Mayor, John White (playing melodeon), Chris Bartram (playing fiddle), Bruce Tofield, Johnny Walker, Les Argyle, Michael Furze, Ray Applegate, Brian Clark, Colin Corner (first recorded photo of him as a dancer), plus several boys. Bill from Crown for 30 adult teas @ 5/1 and 8 children @ 2/6, £8/10/0, paid 15-7-68. Reported in the Oxford Mail of 24th June 1968, p5.
Saturday 3rd August 1968: Tour: 2pm met at Crown, British Legion Steventon 3pm, Wantage 5.30, Aldbourne 6.45, Lambourn 7.45, Denchworth 9pm. John White was not available to play music, and Frank Jeal probably deputised for him.
Monday 12th August 1968: Tour: Culham 6.30, Sutton Courteney 7.30, Milton 8.30
Saturday 17th August 1968: AERE Apprentices Association – not sure if this invitation was accepted.
Monday 26th August 1968: Tour: Clifton Hampden 6.30, Moreton 7.30, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell 8.30
Thursday 29th August 1968: Abbey Hall. Danced in the evening for Belgian visitors. Charlie Brett had a letter of thanks written that evening.
Bank Holiday Monday 2nd September 1968: Tour: 2pm meet at Crown, Didcot Hospital League of Friends Fete 2.30, Drayton Feast 3.30, Compton 5.30, East Ilsley 6.30, West Ilsley 7.30, Aldworth 8.30. Didcot Hospital League of Friends later sent a letter of thanks. Drayton Feast paid a fee of £5. SB1 has a group photo from Drayton Feast Aug 1968 in which the following are identified: Mick Furze, Ray Applegate, Roy Dommett, Charlie Brett, Peter Jeal, John White, Tony Applegate, Jack Hyde (fool); Johnny Walker, John Grimsdale, Bill Mattingley, Colin Corner. A second photo from Drayton Feast of dancing also shows a boy dancer, probably Chris Applegate.
Saturday 14th September 1968: Buckland Youth Club evening barbeque at University House, Buckland. Did two dance shows.
Saturday 28th September 1968: Tour (organised by Bruce Tofield): meet 1.30 at the Crown, 3pm Fair Close, Newbury (fundraising fair for this new day centre for over 65s), tea, then 5.30 Bagnor (The Blackbird), 6.30 Winterbourne (New Inn), 7.30 Lilley (Fox & Cubs). Letter of thanks later received from Newbury and District Old Peoples Welfare Association for dancing at their fair.
Saturday 19th October 1968:.OUMM invited Jack Hyde and Charlie Brett to their Feast at the Royal Oxford.
Saturday 16th November 1968: ATMD held a ‘social’ at the Railway Inn – the first ‘Abingdon Ladies Night’. The archives show that a band and caller (for country dancing) cost £3, and they were led by someone called ‘Reg’ (possibly Reg Hall). The Railway charged £2 for the hire of their room.
Friday 22nd November 1968: HQMM invited Jack Hyde and Charlie Brett to their Feast at the Masons Arms Headington.
There is no correspondence from 1969 in the archives. It is likely it was kept in a folder spanning 1969 to 1971, which would have been Jack Hyde’s last file, but this has not survived in the present archive. The only sources of information are what is in SB1 and local press cuttings.
Wednesday 18th June 1969: ITV filmed Abingdon with Monty Modlin at the George & Dragon Sutton Courtenay. From photos identifiable dancers included Les Argyle, Bruce Tofield, Colin Corner, Johnny Walker, Ray Applegate and Bill Mattngley. A seven minute film was shown on the Today programme of Monday 23rd June. Thames TV later sent a cheque for £60.
Saturday 21st June 1969: Mayor’s Day. Polling was at the Crown and Vice President Victor Brown was returning officer. Result: Charlie Brett 203 votes, Johnny Grimsdale 18, Les Argyle 25. From photos the dancers included Les Argyle, Johnny Walker, Bruce Tofield, Colin Corner, Ray, Tony and Chris Applegate, and Dick Bernard. John White and Chris Bartram were musicians and Johnny Grimsdale was hornbearer. As well as Ock Street, dance spots included Market Place and the Upper Reaches. OUMM, Gloucestershire and Bampton joined in the evening dancing, with Alec Tofield guesting with OUMM. Mayors Day was reported in the Oxford Mail of 23rd June 1969, p7.
27th-29th June 1969: Stratford-upon-Avon Ring Meeting. The archives have a copy of the meeting programme, and Abingdon are listed as one of the participating teams. No further details.
Scrapbook 1 (SB1) has a photo marked 1969 showing an evening tour of villages, including the Lion Culham. Identifiable in this photo are: John White and Frank Jeal playing; Jack Hyde is the fool; dancers included Bruce Tofield, Johnny Walker, Les Argyle, Mick Furze, Bill Mattingley; Charlie Brett wearing the Mayor’s sash. We don’t have the date.
6th-7th September 1969: visit to St Niklaas, Belgium (departed Friday 5th). Recognisable from photos in SB1 are Charlie Brett (Mayor), dancers included Bill Mattingley, Bruce Tofield, Les Argyle, Chris Applegate, Ray Applegate, and possibly Brian Perrett, 3 musicians – John White, Chris Bartram and possibly Frank Jeal, Frank Pine was fool. A total of 16 members of ATMD took part, with total travel costs £135 of which £60 was paid for by the ITV filming fee and the rest paid from the dancers’ own pockets. The Belgian organisers provided all meals and accommodation in a youth hostel.