ATMD diary of 2014
Wednesday 1st January: New Year’s Day lunchtime at the Cherry Tree, Steventon, with Icknield Way as usual. A wet day with just a little dancing outside under a large pub umbrella, otherwise mostly music inside.
Friday 17th January: Funeral of Les Argyle, Trinity Church, followed by wake in the Brewery Tap.
Saturday 1st March: Vale Islanders Ale, Buckland.
Thursday 27th March: Mayors Challenge, featuring new-look pub games and quiz in the Kings Head and Bell. The Mayor of Ock Street’s team beat The Mayor of Abingdon’s team 22 – 13 and reclaimed the trophy.
Sunday 6th April: Head of the River race – Abingdon.
Saturday 19th April: St George’s Day celebrations, Wallingford.
Wednesday 23rd April: St George’s Day Abingdon tour, Old Anchor, King’s Head & Bell and Punch Bowl.
Sunday 27th April: danced at Oxford Folk Weekend
Thursday 1st May: Oxford May Morning
Wednesday 7th May: danced before Abingdon Town Mayor Making.
Thursday 8th May: danced with Old Speckled Hen at Black Horse, Gozzard’s Ford.
Friday 16th May: Abingdon museum open evening and Abingdon pub tour.
Monday 26th May: Harwell Feast and Bampton (tea + evening dancing).
Thursday 5th June: pub tour at Prince of Wales, Shippon.
Saturday 7th June: danced at Abingdon Dance Festival.
Saturday 21st June – Election of the Mayor of Ock Street, Abingdon. A new mayor: Harry Knight 95 votes, Roger Cox 67 votes. Four guest sides: Vale Islanders, Armaleggan, Grand Union, Chanctonbury Ring.
Saturday 28th June: Drayton St. Leonard fete.
Saturday 5th July: attended Winster Wakes weekend.
Tuesday July 15th: danced with Vale Islanders at Nag’s Head and Broad Face.
Thursday 24th July: pub tour, Cherry Tree and North Star, Steventon
Saturday 2nd August: wedding, Hill Farm, Steventon followed by Ray Applegate’s Golden Wedding party at Preston Road Community Centre.
Saturday 16th August: wedding party at Rowstock.
Sunday 24th August: Kings Head & Bell Beer Festival, dancing and music.
Sunday 31st August: danced at Wallingford Bunkfest.
Thursday 4th September: pub tour, Punch Bowl and Broad Face. Huge crowds to watch dancing. Music session till about 1am in the Broad Face.
Saturday 13th September: Heritage Day Dancing as ‘The Morris Men of Abingdon’ with ATMD and Mr Hemmings dancers in the same set wearing no baldricks, sashes or ribbons, just white clothes, hats and bells. Two sets of dancers, four musicians, 2 fools and a large crowd to watch. Music outside the Punch Bowl then on to Stowford House, Shippon – dancing at the request of Ewart Hemmings.
Thursday 25th September: demonstration of Morris Dancing for the Abingdon Young Farmers Club.
Saturday 27th September: danced at 50th anniversary celebrations of Ock Street Fire Station which included a bun throwing.
Saturday 11th October: provided the half time entertainment at Oxfolk Celidh, Kennington Village Hall.
Friday 21st November: Mummers Play done 3 times at Ashmolean Museum as part of Oxford Christmas Lights Festival.
Saturday 29th November: Abingdon Xmas Extravaganza, parade and two dancing spots.
Friday 5th December: Mummers Play at Mayor’s Charity event in the Guildhall.
Tuesday 16th December: Mummers Out of Town tour – Wheatsheaf (Drayton), Plum Pudding (Milton), Cherry Tree (Steventon), Fox (Steventon), North Star (Steventon), Red Lion (Drayton).
Wednesday 18th December: Mummers Town Tour – Punch Bowl, Kings Head & Bell, Old Anchor, Crown & Thistle, Broad Face, Conservative Club, Brewery Tap
The Mummers collected a total of £526.82 for the Abingdon Breakaway Club.