Quick links to 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
External version, which does not include comprehensive names of members and records of members weddings, etc. This is because there are many ex members of ATMD from this period that are still living but with whom we are no longer in contact, and we can’t be sure that they would permit the use of their names. Exceptions are made for Mayor’s Day candidates, those who have been Bagman, and those who joined before the end of 1969 and are mentioned in earlier diaries.
A fuller, internal version of this diary, which does include names of members and also refers to their marriages etc, is in the ATMD Archives.
Source material for this period:
- Entries in Scrapbook 2 (SB2)
- Newspaper cuttings, mostly from the Abingdon Herald (AH) and Oxford Mail (OM)
- Miscellaneous photographs not in SB2. Also slides which have been scanned.
- 1975-79 Paper archives. There is quite a lot of material for these years, including Colin Corner’s bagman notes and papers.
Other abbreviations used:
- EFDSS: English Folk Dance and Song Society
- MM: Morris Men (eg as in Bathampton MM)
- OCMM: Oxford City Morris Men
- OUMM: Oxford University Morris Men
English Tourist Board publication “English Holidays 1975” has a picture of ATMD and an article on Abingdon.
29th January 1975: Invoice from Crabb Concertinas for £9.72 + carriage for repair work on the 1922 concertina.
Tuesday 4th February 1975: OM p7 article and photo describes how the Fool’s smock is being renovated for the Albert Hall festival, and that another smock has been borrowed temporarily.
8th February 1975: date of a document to be submitted to the Ring AGM setting out Abingdon’s wish that no other sides dance the Abingdon tradition and that living traditions in general should be treated differently to dead ones. Also saying that ATMD (at that time) did not recognise or condone womens’ morris. Claimed the territory of North Berkshire (old boundary) as exclusive or at least that other sides wishing to dance there should at least ask permission.
Friday 14th/Saturday 15th February 1975: EFDSS Folk Festival, Royal Albert Hall. Team stayed at the Eden Hotel. Programme: Procession on with chair, Princes Royal, Duke of Marlborough (not matinees), Maid of the Mill, Nutting Girl. Scrapbook entry is signed by all members who attended. Several photos of ATMD dancing – one shows 14 dancers! As a result, ATMD were invited to Sidmouth that August.
Thursday 1st May 1975: May Morning, Oxford: ATMD photo in Oxford Journal of 2-5-75 but OM of Thur 1st May 1975 p7’s article and photos on Oxford May Morning did not show ATMD.
Thursday 8th May 1975: tour 1: Queens, Tandem (Kennington), Flowing Well (Sunningwell)
Friday 9th – Sunday 11th May 1975: Belgium trip for some of ATMD, including Colin Corner and Charlie Brett, for the St Niklaas Maypole Ceremony. Abingdon Scottish Country Dance Club also travelled there. On the Friday afternoon they danced for local children and in the evening were joined by Flemish dance groups and a folk group from Stuttgart, Germany, for an evening folk festival. On the Saturday the May Queen and King were crowned, then there was a parade through the town, carrying a newly-felled and garlanded 60ft May Tree, which was then erected in the park. In the evening there was a party given by the Boerke Maas host group, and on the Sunday morning there was an official reception at the Town Hall.
also (most probably) Saturday 10th May 1975: A day of dancing in Gloucestershire with Old Spot Locations on this tour: Cirencester town centre, Market Place by St John the Baptist church; Cirencester Market Place further down towards the Bear Inn; Colesbourne Inn, Colesbourne, between Cheltenham and Cirencester on A435; Bathurst Arms in North Cerney, near Cirencester, also on A435; the tour possibly finished in Cheltenham.
Sunday 11th May 1975: Archaelogical Exhibition, Abingdon Abbey, 2pm. Press article (?AH) says the morris dancing helped make it a success.
As part of the abbey restoration fund raising, 2000 floor tiles were on sale to restore the Checker floor. ATMD bought nos 1554 and 1700.
Saturday 17th May 1975: Abbey Meadow 2-2.30 for Christian Aid Week, East Ilsley Wool & Sheep Fair 3-5 (both ATMD and Kennet danced there), then evening tour with Kennet: Hermitage, Hampstead Norris, Bell at Aldworth. Collected £2.50 for Christian Aid, £13 at Sheep Fair, £7 on tour (split 50:50 with Kennet).
Bank Holiday Monday 26th May 1975: Benson Festival afternoon, Bampton Spring Bank Holiday dancing 6pm.
Saturday 31st May 1975: Abingdon Carnival ’75: Market Place morning, Carnival Parade, afternoon 2.30. pm
Saturday 7th June 1975: Appleford Fete Afternoon 3.00. pm. Evening tour Barley Mow (Clifton Hampden), Vine (Long Whitenham), Carpenters Arms (Appleford)
Thursday 12th June 1975: Evening Tour (2) Queens (Market Place), Magic Midget (Abingdon), North Star (Steventon). BBC Radio 4 recorded for Saturday 21st June 7-9pm. Bag £10.20.
Saturday 21st June 1975: Mayor’s Day. Polling at the Cross Keys. Result: Charlie Brett 239 votes, Les Argyle 64, Johnny Grimsdale 41. Westminster were guests for the whole day, Headington Quarry and Bampton for the evening. Johnny Grimsdale carried the horns despite a broken arm. Programme: 10-11am Cross Keys, Prepare Polling Station; 11.10-11.30 Punch Bowl and County Hall; 11.30-11.45 Shopping Precinct; 12.00-12.30 Queens, Market Place; 12.30-1.30 Lunch; 1.30-2.00 Queens, Market Place; 2,00-2.30 Anchor and St. Helens Alms Houses;2.35-3.00 Abinqdon Hospital; 3.15-3.45 Old Folks Home and Alms Houses, Ock Street; 3.50- 4pm Morris Men’s Voting Time at Cross Keys; 4.15-4.45 Election Result, Mayor Making ceremony, Chairing and Dancing in of new Mayor; 4.45-5.30 Tea, Cross Keys, Dancing up Ock Street; 6-8 pm White Horse, Air Balloon, Cross Keys, Mr. Warricks Arms and The Crown; 8.15-9pm Queens, Market Place; 9.00-11.45 pm Conservative Club, private party, ticket holders only.
Thursday 10th July 1975: Evening Tour (3) Queens (Market Place), George & Dragon (Sutton Courtenay), Admiral Benbow (Milton)
Saturday 12th July 1975: Nettlebed to Appleford Steam Rally: Met at Cross Keys 12.30, then Waggon & Horses (Culham), Plough (Clifton Hampden), Riverside (Cheshire Home) Burcot, Chequers (Burcot), then at 3.30 Hinksey Park for South Oxford 21st Jubilee Carnival, and 8pm Carpenters Arms (Appleford).
Saturday 26th July 1975: South Shropshire Morris Men Day of Dance, Bridgnorth.
Friday 1st August – Friday 8th August 1975: Sidmouth International Folk Festival
Thursday 14th August 1975: Evening Tour (4): Queens, Greyhound (Besselsleigh), Vine (Cumnor)
Monday 25th August 1975: Bicester Carnival
date unknown, but might be Friday 29th August 1975: Danced at the folk concert in the Old Gaol to celebrate the opening of the new leisure centre there. The Duke of Edinburgh had paid an unofficial visit earlier in the day.
Saturday 30th August 1975: East Ilsley fete
Thursday 11th September 1975: Evening Tour (5): Queens, Fleur-de-Lys (Cothi1l), Prince of Wales (Shippon)
Saturday 13th September 1975: St Nicolas school fete
Saturday 27th September 1975: Peterborough Festival. Coach left Railway at 8am.
The Mummers repeated the Sunningwell Play at Christmas for local charities.
17th Feb 1976: Letter to the Ring in reply to their letter of 2-7-75, saying that ATMD do not want their dances filmed for the Ring archives and ask that they are left alone to continue the Abingdon dances and tradition.
5th March 1976: Letter to the Vale of White Horse District Council explaining how the grant for Art and Entertainment has been spent: repair of smock and purchase of two new ones; concertina repaired and used in the Albert Hall Festival (1975); various top hats ordered or purchased.
Oxford Mail Saturday 13th March 1976 reports the filming of ATMD at the Old Gaol for forthcoming (23rd March) BBC Nationwide On the Road series TV programme featuring ATMD and the MG car factory. Filmed ATMD with Charlie in the chair at the Old Gaol. Fee of £25 later received.
Saturday 17th April 1976: European twin town event: International Weekend at the Old Gaol, with sports teams, bands and dance groups from twin towns. ATMD + Abingdon Scottish Dancers + St Niklaas flag wavers performed on Market Place at 3pm and 6.30pm. Schongau band and an Old Gaol Bierfest. Also dancing on the Sunday. Reported in AH 22nd April 1976, also photo of procession in ‘Ock’ magazine 1st May 1976.
Saturday 1st May 1976: Oxford May Morning, other guests were Bampton, Colne Royal, London Pride, Icknield Way, plus of course OUMM and OCMM. There was a daytime tour with coach transport later in the day. First edition of the local magazine “Ock” dated 1-5-76 describes Oxford May Morning with ATMD.
Thursday 13th May 1976: tour: Queens 7.15, Flowing Well (Sunningwell) 8.15
Thursday 27th May 1976: tour: Queens 7.15, Vine (Long Wittenham) 8.15, Carpenters Arms (Appleford) 9.15
Saturday 29th May 1976: Beaconsfield Fete 2.00, tour: Kingfisher (Shillingford) 8.15, Cricketers (Warborough) 9.15
Monday 31st May: Bampton 6pm
Saturday 5th June: Bicester Scout Fete 2pm, tour: Rose Revived (Newbridge), Plough (Appleton)
8th June 1976: Letter to a Mrs Page from the Assistant Bagman re the previous day’s phone call. It seems that this lady plus some of ‘her girls’ had volunteered to make a banner for the Mayor’s Day election. They were obviously not local as it had to be posted. They were invited to the Mayor’s Day tea at the Air Balloon.
Thursday 10th June: Thames & Chilterns Tourist Board held its AGM at the Old Gaol and after it (before lunch) ATMD gave a dance display. The President of the tourist board, the Duke of Marlborough, led the party that watched the dancing, including the Duke of Marlborough dance which he had not seen before. Colin Corner told the press the tune may have been an old Dutch cobblers tune collected at the Battle of Blenhein (!) and may have been danced at Blenheim Palace for a show for the gentry (!!).
11th June 1976: Letter to Colin Corner from the agent for The Spinners folk group, returning some papers about Abingdon Morris.
Thursday 10th June 1976: Old Gaol 12.00, Kennington Festival, Tandem 8.30
Saturday 12th June 1976: Naphill Fete, High Wycombe 12.00, Old Folks Home, Princes Risborough
Saturday 19th June 1976: Mayor’s Day Result: Charlie Brett 152 votes, Les Argyle 49, Johnny Grimsdale 32, Mick Badcock 27 (despite Johnny Grimsdale posting a canvassing note after the ballot papers). Programme: 10.00-10.30am Assemble Cross Keys Polling Station; 10.40-11.15 Black Swan and Shopping Precinct; 11.15-12.00 Queens, Market Place; 12.00-12.30 Old Gaol; 12.30-1.30 Lunch; 1.35-2.00 Punchbowl and County Hall; 2.00-2.30 Anchor and St. Helen’s Almshouses; 2.35-3.00 Tesdale School Fete; 3.10-3.50 Abingdon Hospital; 4.15- 4.45 Election Result, Mayor Making Ceremony, Chairing Mayor Of Ock Street, Dancing in of New Mayor; 4.45-5.30 Tea, Air Balloon; 6.00-8.00 Traditional Dancing and Chairing up Ock Street; 8.05-8.45 Queen’s, Market Place; 9.00-11.45pm Private Party. Guests Colne Royal (Lancashire Clog) all day, and Bampton Traditional in the evening. Mayor Making was filmed by French TV for a series about 12 world famous rivers, this being the first about the Thames.
Thursday 24th June 1976: Historical Walking Tour 7pm start in conjunction with Abingdon Archaeological and Historical Society and Friends of Abingdon): Slide show of old Abingdon (County Hall basement), Information about Abingdon (Market Square), Tour of Abbey remains, Old Gaol visit. Dancing by ATMD at each location. Started with 100 people and finished with around 150.
Thursday 8th July 1976: tour: Swan (Sutton Courtenay), Admiral Benbow (Milton)
Saturday 10th July 1976: Chalgrove Carnival, 1pm procession
Thur 22nd July 1976: ? Tour 5
Abingdon Herald 29th July 1976 and Oxford Mail 28th July 1976 carry essentially the same article on the new commemorative set of stamps celebrating British Cultural Traditions with one showing morris dancing (no particular team) and how Colin Corner had written to the Post Office in December 1974 suggesting just such a thing. The Archives have an actual set of all 4 mint stamps.
Thur 12th August 1976: ? Tour 6
Sunday 22nd-Saturday 28th August 1976: European Folk Festival, Sint-Nicklaas, Belgium Dancing. along with other European Folk Groups during the week in Sint Niklaas, Gent, Brussels, Antwerp, Turnhout. On this trip, the chair and poles went abroad for the first time.
date unknown 1976: Medieval Fair at Stowford House on a Saturday – unidentified press article and photo of Charlie Brett ‘fighting’ the ‘Duke of Cornwall’.
Saturday 18th September 1976: Market Place for Sport for All, 7pm. Possibly some arguments at this event concerning objections to novices wearing full kit, and some dancers turning up but not performing.
16th November 1976: The first record of a printed ATMD constitution is dated 16-11-76. A new member now had to live within 10 miles of the centre of Abingdon and had to intend to make the area his permanent home. A new member needs a team member to be a sponsor. Reinstatement of a lapsed member to be decided at a general meeting. No member should impart to anyone outside the team the details or substance of the traditional Abingdon dances or music. Kit must be clean and tidy and must conform with the description in an Appendix dated 13-12-76.
The 1976 mummers raised over £50 for the Mayoress’s old peoples’ fund.
Calendar of the Countryside 1977 had a picture of ATMD on Market Place and June 77 had a description of Mayors Day along with a picture.
Thames & Chilterns Tourist Board “Whats On and Where to Go” had a cover photo of ATMD dancing at White Horse.
Wednesday 9th February 1977: The Mayor of Ock St’s representatives were invited to a reception at BAFTA in London hosted by Balfour Films which previewed their hour long film about Abingdon made for French TV. It included footage of Mayor’s Day from the previous June.
22-2-77: Letter from Francis Shergold (Bampton) to Colin Corner saying that they won’t be able to come to Mayor’s Day that year as the whole team has been invited to a 25th anniversary on the same date.
Monday 21st March 1977: ATV Today came to Abingdon to film a live programme about Abingdon including ATMD but there were several technical hitches and the local youngsters mobbed Chris Tarrant who was one of the presenters. The dancing was before the trouble started. There was a bad press for the event. The TV crew had wanted to film a mock bun throwing but the council objected and ATMD refused to be filmed unless this was dropped.
Sunday 1st May 1977: Oxford May Morning: 6.45am, guests along with Headington Quarry, Bampton and Chipping Campden. Later danced at the Radcliffe Infirmary. Market Place 6.45pm , ATMD re-enacted the battle for the horns on Market Place and presented a replica set of horns to the town mayor. Then a tour
Thursday 12th May 1977: Tour: Queens, Plough (W Hanney), Crown (E Hanney)
Saturday 14th May 1977: Official Charter Opening 11am. ATMD danced before the ceremony.
Saturday 21st May 1977: Maidenhead Fete afternoon, Old Gaol 7pm. Archives have a sticker from St Niklaas Ecxcelsior Band signed 22-5-77 at the Old Gaol who were on a visit.
Thursday 26th May 1977: Tour 2: Queens, Swan (Sutton Courtenay), Barley Mow (Clifton Hampden), Vine (Long Wittenham)
Saturday 28th May 1977: Lutterworth
Saturday 4th June 1977: Silver Jubilee Carnival Day, procession start in Park Road 2pm via Conduit Rd, Ock St, and on to Rye Farm. 3pm dancing on Market Place included Morris, Scottish, Irish & Welsh, Bebbington School of Dance, Abingdon Ballet.
Monday 6th June 1977: Mediaeval Procession 1pm Station Yard, Pageant Rye Farm Meadow, included morris dancing 3.45-4pm. Faringdon Jubilee 6pm, Volunteer (Grove) 8.30
Sunday 5th – Sunday 12th June 1977: Archaeology and History Week at Abingdon Abbey. On 6th, 7th, 10th ATMD visited the Archaeology Exhibition after other events.
Tuesday 7th June 1977: Silver Jubilee Bank Holiday: Didcot Jubilee 2pm, Drayton Jubilee 3pm, Steventon Jubilee 5pm
Friday 10th June 1977: Milton Jubilee 8pm
Saturday 11th June 1977: RAF Abingdon Open Day
Saturday 18th June 1977: Mayor’s Day: Result: Charlie Brett 155 votes, Les Argyle 66, Mick Badcock 51, Johnny Grimsdale 23. Programme: 10.00-10.15am Cross Keys, Open Polling Station; 10.30-11.30 Black Swan and Shopping Precinct; 11.30-12.00 Punchbowl; 12.00-12.30 Queens, Market Place; 12.30-1.30pm Lunch; 1.30-2.15 Town Centre; 2.30-3.00 Abingdon Hospital; 3.00-3.45 Ock Street, Christ’s Hospital, Almshouses and Flats, Mayott’s House; 3.55-4.00 Cross Keys, receive Mayor and Mayoress of Abingdon., Poll closes; 4.15-4.45 Election Results, Mayor Making Ceremony, Chairing of Mayor of Ock Street, Dancing In of New Mayor; 4.45-5.30 Tea, Air Balloon; 6.00-8.00 Traditional Dancing and Chairing up Ock Street; 8.05-8.45 Queens, Market Place; 9.00pm-1.30am Morris Men and Guests to Private Party, Ticket Holders only. Reported in Oxford Mail 20-6-77 article and photo “Charlie leads them a dance”, which says Oxfordshire’s Pearly King and his son the Pearly Prince joined them on the Market Place. Similar article and photo in Abingdon Herald 23-6-77 “Charlie is their darling – for the 14th time”.
Saturday 25th June 1977: Brookside Primary (Bicester) School Fete 2pm, Wheatley Youth Centre 3.30
Friday 1st-Sunday 3rd July 1977: Bath Jubilee, Bathampton MM Other guests Datchet, Marshfield Mummers, Manley, S Shropshire, Kennet, Horwich, Whitehorse. Fri 1st: Evening Ale, Sat 2nd: tour with Datchet 1030 Corsham, 1130 Biddlestone, 1230 Castle Combe, 3.00 Kington Langley Cheshire Home, then massed dancing 4.30-6.30 Abbey churchyard, Feast in evening. Sunday massed dancing, 1130-1230.
Saturday 9th July 1977: Chieveley fete afternoon, Abingdon Shelter Group at Long Gallery evening. Only 6 “but we managed”.
Thursday 14th July 1977: Tour 3: Queens 7.15, POW (Shippon) 8.00, White Hart (Marcham) 8.30, Black Horse (Gozzards Ford) 9.15. Total collected £9.26.5
Saturday 16th July 1977: 7.30 Barley Mow, Clifton Hampden, finished at Kings Head & Bell.
Tuesday 19th July 1977: Culham College party for American teachers. £20 fee + food and drink. Finished with country dancing.
Thursday 28th July 1977: Tour 4, Queens 7.15, Tandem (Kennington) 8.00, Flowing Well (Sunningwell) 9.00. This was also Les Badcock’s stag night.
Thursday 18th August 1977: Tour 6, Queens 7.15, Greyhound (Besselsleigh) 8.00, Plough (Appleton) 8.40 Dog House country dancing was cancelled Bad weather, danced inside Greyhound
Tuesday 23rd August 1977: danced for Abingdon Carpets at the Chequers (Burcot). To introduce a new Special Edition carpet – the carpet was danced on and then sent to the Chicago showroom. Plenty of free beer. Abingdon Herald 01-09-77 has a photo and brief article on this.
Thursday 1st September 1977: Tour: Queens, North Star (Steventon), Admiral Benbow (Milton). Dull weather but free beer at last two stands.
Saturday 3rd September 1977: Emmer Green Youth Centre Fete, 2 stands in the afternoon, £25 fee. Returned via Cricketers (Warborough) for food, dance and a free drink, then on to Swan (Sutton Courtenay) and Cross Keys – in both cases to do a farewell dance for outgoing landlords (and a free pint in each).
Wednesday 14th September 1977: Culham College, MRC Harwell party for overseas scientists, 9pm. £20 fee + some free drinks.
Saturday 24th September 1977: Fair Close Old Peoples Home, Newbury, fete, danced at 3.15.
A second issue of the ATMD constitution, dated 27-10-77, with one addition of 7-11-77. Main differences from the previous version are: Name is definitely Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers (previously it could also be the Ock Street Morris Dancers); Current members of other sides are now ineligible to be members; Reasons for expulsion now not mentioned (they weren’t specified in the previous version).
Charlie Brett raised £25.88 for the Mayor’s Christmas Fund by collecting in the foyer of the Regal Bingo Hall for three nights.
Saturday 7th January 1978: Colne Royal Annual Thirteenth Night Ball, Nelson. ATMD were top of the bill.
Letter dated 26-1-78 from a Jon A Gillaspie, Dept of Folklore-Folklife, University of Pennsylvania (but from an Abingdon address) to Alexander Fenton, National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland saying that he understood Abingdon Morris Men were being conisdered by FVS Stiftung for the year’s Europa Prize for Folk Art, and if so gave his unsolicited testimonial. A copy of thisletter was sent to Colin Corner, Bagman.
Reply dated 30-1-78 from Alexander Fenton to Jon Gillaspie saying that he has not received any information directly from ATMD and could they send some to him as the jury is to meet in Hamburg in March.
Letter dated 1-2-78 from Colin Corner to Mr Fenton saying that ATMD are both delighted and surprised to be nominated for the Euopa Prize, that in keeping the traditions unique to Abingdon and Ock Street they find themselves isolated from much of the folk community in England. Attaches a large amount of supporting documentation (which had obviously been prepared earlier), some of which is rather fanciful and in some places (with hindsight) not accurate.
Monday 13th March 1978: darts match 8pm Air Balloon, probably part of the Mayors Challenge (where the Town Mayor and Mayor of Ock Street compete in one or more pub games).
Easter Saturday 25th March 1978: Oxford Deaf Centre, St Ebbes, 9pm, for German visitors.
Saturday 8th April 1978: Buckland Barn Dance 8pm.
Monday 1st May 1978: Oxford May Morning, + ? Uffington village fete + afternoon dancing on Market Place with OUMM and OCMM (and Kennington Youth Band) + Aunt Sally v Council at Black Horse 8.30 (!). It was a Bank Holiday. Abingdon Herald of 11-5-78 includes a letter from Colin Corner of The Traditional Morris Dancers of Abingdon thanking Kennington Youth Band, OUMM and OCMM for the entertainment on Market Place on May Day afternoon. Also to many locals and visitors who braved the bad weather in support of keeping the area for public enjoyment (car parking on the Market Place had been proposed).
Monday 8th May 1978: Bennett House
Saturday 20th May 1978: John Mason School fete 3.30pm, then tour 1: Queens, Barley Mow (Clifton Hampden), Carpenters Arms (Appleford), tour bag £9.43
Monday 29th May 1978: Benson village fete 1pm, Bampton 6pm, Rose Revived 8.15
Thursday 1st June 1978: tour 2: Queens, Swan (Sutton Courtenay), Chequers (Burcot)
Saturday 10th June 1978: Marlow Bottom Rose Carnival 3.30, then tour 3: Queens, Greyhound (Besselsleigh), Vine (Cumnor)
Saturday 17th June 1978: Dry Sandford fete 2.30pm, East Ilsley Sheep Fair 3.30 then tour 4: Queens, Waggon & Horses (Culham), Admiral Benbow (Milton). Bagman’s notes on the tour: “Queens – small crowd, pennies only. Went to hospital and danced for Jack (Hyde), very moving, he recognised the music and whispered to me to keep them going always. Waggon and Horses – all eating, no collection, no spectactors, waste of time, not for re-visiting. Admiral Benbow – free sandwiches, good sing-song, free ale from crowd, invited to Drayton Mill party, collected £9 plus free food and drinks.” Bag: Dry Sandford fete £20, East Ilsley collected £10, pubs collected £3.30, party £9, total for the day £42.30.
Saturday 24th June 1978: Mayor’s Day: Guests: Datchet and Manley all day, Bampton and Headington from 6pm. Three flag wavers from St Niklaas also attended. Fred Stimpson Returning Officer, town mayor Ewart Hemmings. Programme: 10am Assemble Cross Keys, open Polling Station; 10.30 Black Swan; 11.15 Shopping Precinct and Town Centre; 12.30-1.30pm Lunch, 1.30 Queens Market Place, County Hall & Punchbowl; 2.15 King’s Head & Bell; 3.00 Datchet St. Nicholas School Fete, Manley Abingdon Hospital, Abingdon Ock Street Almshouses & Old Folks Home; 3.45 Cross Keys, Receive Mayor & Mayoress of Abingdon; 4.00 Close Ballot Box; 4.15-4.45 Election Result, Mayor Making Ceremony, Chairing of Newly Elected Mayor of Ock Street, Dancing In of the new Mayor; 4.45-5.50 Tea, Air Balloon; 6.00-8.00 Traditional Dancing & Chairing up Ock Street, White Horse, Air Balloon, Cross Keys, Mr. Warricks Arms & Crown; 8.15-9.00 Queens, Market Place; 9.00-midnight Morris Men & Guests to Celebration Party. AH (29-6-78, p3) has a photo showing the chairing procession and article “Charlie Rules Again” which also reports Charlie’s charity work. Charlie Brett re-elected, beating Les Argyle and Johnny Grimsdale.
Wednesday 21st June 1978: Jack Hyde died in Abingdon hospital.
Monday 26th June 1978: Jack Hyde’s funeral 2.30 Oxford Crematorium. ATMD members in kit acted as pallbearers.
Saturday 1st July 1978: Bayworth fete 3.15, then tour 5 Queens, N Star (Steventon), Crown (E Hanney)
Friday 7th July 1978: Friends of Abingdon fete, Abbey buildings, 7.30pm and 9pm, Singaround in the Crown afterwards
Thursday 13th July 1978: Abingdon Herald p8 has a long article entitled “Europe’s Pride – Meet a Unique Breed” and 4 photos. The article announces that Abingdon’s Traditional Morris Dancers have been awarded the Europa Prize for Folk Art in recognition of their keeping the morris and related traditions undiluted by outside influences and in particular only performing Abingdon’s own dances. The article gives a version of the history of how the horns were won and the Mayor of Ock Street election. It also gives details of the older members who have kept the tradition alive, Charlie Brett 77, Johnny Grimsdale 82, Fred Stimpson 84 (despite never having danced) and Jack Hyde 85 (despite having died the previous month, which was not mentioned in the article).
Fri 14th & Sat 15th July 1978: Didcot Arts Centre Historic Pageant 9pm. St Peters Arts Centre. Cancelled due to mix up about the dates.
Saturday 15th July 1978: Tour 6: Queens, North Star Steventon, Crown E Hanney. Bucket of beer at the North Star, sing around after last stand.
Thursday 20th July 1978: Culham College American Party 8pm. Partners invited too.
Saturday 29th July 1978: Afternoon fete at the Royal Oak (Bicester). Evening Tour: Queens, Barley Mow (Clifton Hampden), Vine (Long Wittenham), Kicking Donkey (Harwell). Free beer and hot dogs at the last stand.
Friday 11th August 1978: Europa Prize award ceremony: Abingdon Guildhall, presentation of the Europa Prize for Folk Art (Stiftung). Large assembly of guests from Germany and Abingdon, including nearly all present members and their +1s, plus three former members. Also in attendance were Doc Rowe, Alec Tofield, the town mayor and various other local politicians, representatives of several Abingdon clubs and societies, local press, tourist board, guests from Belgium and the landlords and landladies of many of the local pubs. The annual report issued by the Stiftung FVS of Hamburg includes texts of a welcoming speech by Colin Corner, a laudatory address by Mr Alexander Fenton of Edinburgh and the presentation certificate (in German). It also includes details of the other 1978 winners of this prize.
Fred Stimpson died in Mayott’s House a day or two after the Europa Prize event. AH of Thursday 17th August 1978 reports both Fred Stimpson’s death and the Europa Prize award.
Monday 21st – Monday 28th August 1978: Brussels International Folk Festival The mayor’s chair was taken and dancing spots included Grande Place.
Sunday 3rd September 1978: Cogges Farm Museum afternoon
Saturday 9th September 1978: Appleford village fete plus Cheshire Home fete (tea & cakes provided), then tour 8 (walking): Queens, Kings Head & Bell, White Horse, then on to a party at Drayton Mill, Milton
Saturday 16th September 1978: Bromyard Festival. Coach trip. Two official dance spots at 12 and 6pm, also some dancing at the camp site.
Sunday 17th September 1978: Bullnose Morris Club Annual Rally, location unknown but might be Woodstock museum.
Saturday 23rd September 1978: Fair Close Home, Newbury fete. Afterwards visited Alec Tofield’s house for beer, food and a showing of the film he took at the Europa Prize award ceremony.
Friday 6th October 1978: Barley Mow, Clifton Hampden barn dance.
Saturday 21st October 1978: Craft Fair, Long Gallery, afternoon. 2 dance spots outside.
Monday 20th November 1978: AGM.
Friday 1st December 1978: Airey Neave MP’s 25th anniversary party, Wantage Civic Hall. Danced at 9pm. Presented box of chocolates from the Mayor of Ock St to Mrs Neave. Free beer and buffet food. Finished with a singaround in the Shoulder of Mutton.
Saturday 9th December 1978: Buckland Barn Dance, plus ones invited. Free hot dogs.
The Mummers performed at Sunningwell (as part of a talk) and around Abingdon, raising £38 for the Mayor’s Christmas Fund.
Saturday 27th January 1979: Buckland Barn Dance
Friday 2nd February: The Crown singaround was recorded by Radio Oxford for transmission Tuesday 13th February.
Saturday 3rd February: Oxford City MM Ale, Wolvercote village hall
6th February 1979: Letter from Kensington Palace, secretary to Princess Alice, to Colin Corner telling him she does not recall Abngdon morris dancing at Windsor Castle for the children and grandchildren of Queen Victoria.
Thursday 8th February 1979: The Abingdon Herald has an article and photo “The custom-built Morris” in their childrens’ section, the Jacko club. Photo is of a previous Mayor’s Day chairing. Article describes Abingdon Morris. morris dancing in general and other customs including hiring fairs.
6th March 1979: Date of a letter from Brian Clark to the editor of the Abingdon Herald announcing the formation of a morris team to be named Mr Hemmings Morris Dancers, so called in honour of Tom Hemmings. It states that ‘the Hemmings family’ (his mother and aunt, both Tom’s daughters) have given permission to use the name and have encouraged them to start a “very much needed alternative to the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers”. They do not intend to interfere with ATMD and will be pleased to help them if assistance is ever needed. The only qualification to join the new team is that, at their birth, their parents’ address must be in Abingdon. Above date is not the date the letter was published
Around March 1979, Brian Clark also issued a General Notice on behalf of Mr Hemmings Morris Dancers of which he is Chairman, announcing that they do not wish to interfere with ATMD, as they respect the Mayor of Ock and associated traditions. Says much the same as the letter to the Herald of 6th March, adding that they consider the regalia to be on permanent loan to ATMD and will only claim them back if ATMD disbands or breaks the traditions. The notice was accompanied by a copy of the letter to be sent to the Herald, so it thus was written around the same time.
The background to the formation of Mr Hemmings Morris Dancers was the feeling among some of the ATMD members who were born and bred in Abingdon was that there were now too many ‘outsiders’ in the team and that the links with the Hemmings family were being lost. There were some suggestions that the candidates for the Mayor of Ock Street election should either have been born in Ock Street or live there. There is a story (nothing written can be found) that Brian Clark (who had last danced in 1968) had applied to re-join ATMD and had been told that the constitution now required such returning members to serve some time as a novice before being awarded their colours again, something that he refused to accept. Certainly behind the scenes, there was strong encouragement from Brian’s mother Phyllis and her sister Deena Jackson to get the new team going in their father’s (Tom Hemmings) name. Deena’s son Stuart (who had not danced since 1960) and his son were recruited as founder members.
Wednesday 14th March 1979: Culham College 9pm, danced for a UNICEF Year of the Child conference.
Saturday 17th March 1979: Oxford Marathons Rugby Club, St Patrick’s Day party (evening). £20 given for drinks at the bar, but £5 of this returned for the Oxford Scanner Appeal. C Corner and A Sipson late for this having been at the Morris Ring AGM. Irish Stew for all.
Easter Saturday 14th April 1979: Re-opening of Cogges Manor Farm Museum, 2pm. This was to be the last time Johnny Grimsdale appeared with the team, holding the horns as usual.
Wednesday 25th April 1979: ATMD were guests in the Roysse Room of the town Mayor (Ewart Hemmings) and Abingdon Council in recognition of being awarded the Europa Prize for Folk Art 1978. A new silk sash was presented to the Mayor of Ock St, Charlie Brett. It was especially commisioned by the Council and made by Mrs Pat Russell of Abingdon. This is the town sash worn by the Mayor of Ock Street ever since, along with the one of earlier design. The Europa Medal and Citation are to be displayed with the Town Treasures.
Tuesday 1st May 1979: Oxford May Morning: 5.45a.m. Rose Lane; breakfast in St Edmund Hall then at St Ebbes School with OCMM; 1pm on Market Place where Charlie Brett turned up wearing his new sash to be photographed by the Oxford Mail; 7pm Market Place for one stand under County Hall as it was raining, then on to Abingdon Hospital to dance for Johnny Grimsdale.
Wednesday 2nd May 1979: The Oxford Mail has a photo of Charlie Brett wearing the new town sash.
3rd May 1979: handwritten notes of quotes from Crabb concertinas for refurbishment of the 1922 concertina, ranging from make playable (£8), tune to concert pitch in present keys of Bflat and F (£30 ) to retuning to more useful keys of C and G (£150 as all new reeds).
Bank Holiday Monday 7th May 1979: 2-5p.m. Abingdon Market Place, M.G. Jubilee Celebrations. Danced along with Abingdon Scottish Country Dancers, Abingdon Folk Dance Group, McDonald School of Irish Dance, Wiltshire Folk Dance Group and Band, Bebbingto School of Dance and Marcella Academy of Dance. The town band also performed. Event MC’d by Bryan Clark. Thursday 10th May 1979 Abingdon Herald has an article “Folk Galore” which describes the Market Place dancing. The photo is of the Wiltshire Folk Dance Group.
Monday 7th May 1979: Johnny Grimsdale died in Abingdon hospital aged 83.
Thursday 10th May 1979: funeral of Johnny Grimsdale, Oxford Crematorium. A full side in kit attended. Thursday 10th May 1979 Abingdon Herald has a small article “Death of veteran Morris Man” stating that Johnny’s funeral would be that day. Friday 11th May 1979 Oxford Mail has an article and photo “Tributes to oldest dancer” reporting Johnny’s death at age 83 after a short illness and that he last carried the horns at Cogges Farm on Easter Monday. Thursday 17th May Abingdon Herald p6 has a photo and article “Morris Men’s final tribute”, with the same text as the Oxford Mail article.
Friday 18th – Sunday 20th May 1979: .Manley Morris Rogation Day weekend, danced in Chester Saturday, Kelsall church Sunday. Loftus sword dancers also there.
Saturday 26th May 1979: Newbury Arts Festival 11am – 3pm. Late start due to heavy holiday traffic and torrential rain. Danced at the Castle pub, Market Square. Corn Exchange and shopping precinct.
Bank Holiday Monday 28th May 1979: 6pm Bampton, 7.30pm Wheatley Street Ceilidh. A good evening despite heavy rain.
Saturday 2nd June 1979: Evening Tour no 1 with Icknield Way MM. Queens, North Star (Steventon), Wheatsheaf (East Hendred).
Monday 4th June 1979: the first public performance of Mr Hemmings Morris Dancers. The planned tour was: White Hart (Fyfield), Fleur-de-Lys (Cothill) and Black Horse (Gozzards Ford) but at the end there was so much excitement that the tour continued unannounced to the White Horse in Ock Street. That first tour included Brian Clark (last danced 1968), Stuart Jackson (last danced 1960) and his son, two present members of ATMD, two lapsed members of ATMD (neither had danced with ATMD for 3-4 years) and one who had never danced with ATMD but was a member of Kennet. All of these were “Abingdon Boys”, i.e. born and bred in Abingdon. There were also two Abingdon-born men who had not danced before. The musician was an Abingdon folk musician who had not played for morris dancing before, also born and bred in Abingdon. Shortly after this first tour, another current member of ATMD, joined Mr Hemmings.
Saturday 9th June 1979: Appleford Fete, 2.30pm; Abingdon Carnival, 4pm.
Saturday 16th June 1979: Farmoor Reservoir, 1pm; Dunmore School Fete, 3pm; East Ilsley Sheep Fair, 4pm. Then Evening Tour No.2, around town.
Thursday 21st June 1979: BBC Radio 2’s Folkweave programme included a 30 minute feature on ATMD, recorded at the previous Mayor’s Day by Doc Rowe.
Saturday 23rd June 1979: Mayor’s Day. Guests Boerke Naas and South Shropshire all day, Whtchurch late afternoon and evening. Result: Charlie Brett 180 votes, Les Argyle 133. Programme: 8am Mattocks Roses; 10am assemble at Cross Keys, open polling station; 10.15 assemble Black Swan; 10.30 Black Swan; 11.15 Shopping Precinct and Town Centre; 12.30-1.30 Lunch; 1.30 Queens, Market Place, County Hall and Punchbowl; 2.15 King’s Head and Belll; 3.00pm Abingdon Hospital, Ock Street Almshouses and Old Folks’ Home; 3.45 assemble at Cross Keys; 3.50 receive Mayor of Abingdon; 4.00pm close ballot box; 4.15-4.45 election result, Mayor making ceremony, Chairing of the newly elected Mayor of Ock Street, Dancing in of the new mayor; 4.45-6.00 tea at White Horse; 6.00-8.00pm Traditional Dancing and chairing up Ock Street at White Horse, Air Balloon, Cross Keys, Mr Warricks Arms and The Crown; 8.15-9.00pm Queens, Market Place; 9.00pm Morris Men and Guests to Celebration Party. AH (Thursday 28th June 1979) has a photo and article “Charlie’s Chaired – 15 times”, which is wrong, it should have been 16 times. Reports the result Charlie Brett (postman, 79) 180 votes, Les Argyle (baker, 52) 133 votes. One dancer in ATMD kit is recognisable in the photo, even though he had joined the Mr Hemmings team some time earlier.
Friday 29th June 1979: Friends of Abingdon, Long Gallery, 8pm; impromptu stand on Market Place; then 9.30pm The Crown, singaround.
Saturday 30th June 1979: Goring Twinning Ceremony, 11am; Hughenden Garden Party, 2.30pm; Wolfson College Ball 8.30 pm
Saturday 7th July 1979: St.Johns College Medieval Fayre, 1pm; Stanford-in-the-Vale Fete, 3pm; Wedding, Kings Head & Bell, 5.30. Danced in the President’s Garden in St Johns.
Thursday 12th July 1979: evening, Scandinavian School of English party, Abingdon Bridge restaurant. Plus ones invited.
AH (Thursday 12th July 1979) opinion column entitled “Traditions and people” commented on the split in Abingdon morris saying that neither side is right or wrong and the two need to show maturity and good sense. In the same edition an article “Morris Men split by row” gives details of the split and some reference to lapsed members having to re-apply to join. Reports Brian Clark’s claims to have found several papers belonging to Tom Hemmings showing “exact dance steps and directions which the Abingdon Morris Men no longer keep to”and Colin Corner pointing out that the dances have of course changed because of “differing ability and physical shapes and sizes of those performing them”. The OM article of Thursday 12th July (p9) “Discord splits Morris dancers”, reports more or less the same material as the AH article.
Saturday 21st July 1979: afternoon danced at a party for a banking firm at Hanney House, West Hanney, then evening Tour No.3, including Barley Mow (Clifton Hampden) and Carpenters Arms (Appleford).
Saturday 28th July 1979: 3.30pm Blackthorn Gala (Village Fete)
Wednesday 15th August 1979: Meeting in Cross Keys about silver badges and constitution, then danced for a Rotary Club dinner at Little Massetts Farm, Steventon. ATMD donated the fee to the Abingdon Rotary Club Handicap Fund, for which the party was fundraising.
‘The Stiftung Badges’: 16-8-79 Quote to Colin Corner from a designers and jewellers company of Deddington, to make 25 silver broaches @ £7.40 each + VAT. 30-8-79 Invoice for 25 badges £212.75 incl VAT. 19-9-79 Letter thanking Colin Corner for cheque, saying glad the ceremony went well. Hallmarking to be done at a later date. The badges were presented 15-9-79 by the town mayor, but then seem to have been handed back, presumably for the hallmarking.
Saturday 24th August 1979: Barley Mow, Clifton Hampden, 3pm. Free beer.
Saturday 1st September 1979: Fields carton factory open day, Thatcham, 4pm. Free cream teas and beer plus a fee.
Saturday 8th September 1979: Performed on Market Place 10-12 for Stowford House with McDonald Irish Dancers, then M.G.Jubilee Carnival in the afternoon, with organised dancing for eight grouips including ATMD. The carnival also included a procession from the MG factory to MG’s sports ground (Preston Road), an ox roast, a vintage car competition, and Oxon’s Pearly King. Then an evening tour of town ending at the Cross Keys – “retirement tour for the original horns”.
Sunday 9th September 1979: Wilts County Museum Salisbury, Traditional Exhibition,3pm. Lunch in the Chough hotel, dancing on Market Place.
Tuesday 11th September 1979: Danced at an Elms Court concert involving 3 bands and a barbers shop quartet. Stayed for the party afterwards and danced some more. Free food and beer.
Saturday 15th September 1979: 11am Market Place – Presentations (medals + new horns); 2pm Wedding. 18-9-79 OM small article “Badge tells of victory” describes the presentation of badges by the town mayor. Says ATMD also received a cash prize, which they put “towards new instruments” – but probably that was what paid for the silver badges too. 20-9-79 AH p7 article “New Decoration for Morris Men” describes the presentation of the badges.
19th September 1979 is the date of a very brief handwritten record of a meeting between Mr Hemmings MD and ATMD, chaired by a local solicitor. For ATMD Ewart Hemmings, vice president, Les Argyle (deputy mayor of Ock St), Colin Corner (bagman), and the treasurer. The meeting seems to have been about who owned the regalia. For Mr Hemmings, Brian Clark and three other members of the Hemmings family. There is no record of the outcome of the meeting, if any.
Saturday 29th September 1979: Evening. Blackthorn Gala then Ex-servicemens’ club, Marcham village hall, followed by Buckland Barn dance.
Sunday 30th September 1979: Cogges Farm Museum, afternoon, 2 stands.
Friday 5th October 1979: Stanford-in-the-Vale Silver Threads Club, evening. Free food and beer.
Saturday 13th October 1979: Newbury Traditional Folk Club, The Globe, Market Place. Paid performance.
Monday 26th November 1979: Practice, and discussions of: tickets for the Albert Hall, Tiddy weekend at Ascott-under-Wychwood, other invitations, and Mayor’s Day 1980.
19th December 1979: death of Charlie Brett, aged 79. Obituary notice appeared in OM of Friday 21st December, and local press also had photo and article “Leading Morris man dies”.
Monday 24th December 1979: Charlie Brett’s funeral. Service at St Michael’s church, then burial at Abingdon Cemetery. 4 morris men acted as pallbearers. Reported in 27-12-79 AH p1 (photo and article “Goodbye Charlie”), also 27-12-79 OM p7 (article “Morris Men at funeral”).
The 1979 Mummers town tour visited the Air Balloon, Cross Keys, Crown, Grapes, Blue Boar, Railway, George & Dragon, Queens, Punch Bowl, Barley Mow, Nags Head (11 pubs starting at 7.30!).
Also in 1979, BBC Radio 4’s Down Your Way visited Abingdon and Colin Corner was interviewed by Brian Johnston.