There was an old custom in Abingdon to roast an ox in Ock Street at midsummer and distribute the meat among the poor. In the year 1700, this being done, a fight ensued between men from ‘up’ town and ‘down’ town for possession of the horns. The men of ‘down’ town won, and it became a trophy they still hold to this day. Their leader was declared the Mayor of Ock Street.
In modern times there is an election for the Mayor of Ock Street – none of the fighting of our forebears. Those ox horns from ‘1700’ are on show. After the election, the Mayor of Ock Street celebrates his victory by drinking from an applewood pint drinking cup, and is then carried in procession by Morris Dancers around Abingdon’s Ock Street.
The only qualification for having a vote is that you must live in Ock Street, or the adjoining courts. There are two candidates this year: Harry Knight – The previous mayor, and Duncan Brown – The reigning mayor. The election of the Mayor of Ock Street will be this Saturday.
It is very important to keep these wonderful old customs alive as part of our heritage.
Yes, let’s keep England English – like in the second world war when Dame Myra Hess kept playing all that Bach and Beethoven while we were fighting the Boche.
Don’t leap on the bandwagon – the above comment is irony.
But for the record, morris dancing seems to have some Flemish/German linguistic connection and may have developed from Spanish roots. Like most of our heritage (which I enjoy), it is pretty cosmopolitan in its origins.
Democracy is Greek; knives and forks at the table appear to be French; our language is a mixture of Latin, Greek, Danish, German and French.
Sorry, I’ll go back to sleep; I hope tomorrow’s events are a great succes and richly enjoyed – that’s not ironic…
I cant speak for Janet but I assume she was referring to the actual Ock Street mayor making- I assume it’s an Abingdon custom – I’ve not heard of any other town with this “Mayor of one street” thing. By all means correct me if i’m wrong….
As long as Ock Street doesn’t declare UDI …
It is a nice tradition but not completely unique. Quite a few towns have mock mayors, including Woodstock in this neck of the woods, not sure how many streets do the electing though.
Sarah, we could have an “Ockxit” !
As Harry and Duncan have both been Mayor, could this possibly be an EU style fiddle? Who lives in Ock Street and is postal voting allowed?
It may be that Brussels style “democracy” has been modelled on Abingdon and Woodstock, so if we do vote out, will we have voted in…?
This is a great local tradition, just like bun throwing, boundary walks, swan upping (Thames), ringing the school bell 63 times. Plus, more recently, air shows, MG rallies, dragon boat racing (oops better stop there – may not be English).
Here’s a thing, don’t think Harry or Duncan live in/on Ock street? So how can they stand for election?
Gerrymandering of boundaries is just another old political tradition !
At one time you had to be born in Ock Street to stand for election. But then everybody born in Ock Street got moved to Saxton Road as part of improving housing. Maybe it should be the Mayor of Saxton Road.