The May Ox

Between 1989 and 2012 the effigy of an ox was trundled on May Morning over Aristotle Bridge in North Oxford.  This was the creation of sculptor Michael Black who carved the Emperors' Heads on Broad Street. A maiden was selected to ride the beast, and comical representations of the Emperors' Heads were carried on poles. There followed a beery breakfast known as Black's Treat. Eynsham Morris and Headington Quarry presided over the revels. Michael Black died in 2019 and a last May Morning event was held that year in his honour.  There are no current plans for a further appearance.

Video Tim Healey (2019)

SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY EVERYDAY

Death on May Morning

Long before Inspector Morse investigated mayhem among the dreaming spires author Max Dalman wrote an Oxford-based thriller called Death on May Morning. Published in 1938 the book describes how a student atop Magdalen Tower is shot dead by a sniper during the traditional singing by the choir. The hero, reporter Philip Hardman, goes sleuthing about the city chasing up clues in New College, Parson’s Pleasure, The Trout and elsewhere.

First issued by Ward, Lock & Co (see left), the book was re-published in 2022 by The Oleander Press (right).

It’s not a bad read, incidentally.

Lockdown!

For the two years 2020-21 traditional May Morning celebrations were suspended due to Covid restrictions. Ingenious alternatives were improvised with social distancing and online initiatives...

Clockwork Morris

Formed specially for displays on Oxford's May Morning, Clockwork Morris danced only twice, in 2010 and 2012. Marc West (second left) reports 'There's rumours of a possible reunion - hah!'

May Morning (1970)

This is a slow-moving Italian-made film set in Oxford and starring the iconic Jane Birkin. Soft-rock soundtracking by the sadly unhip Tremeloes does nothing to improve the tenuous plot and clunking dialogue. Despite the title there are no glimpses of Oxford’s May Morning celebrations, just an unconvincingly staged May Ball. This offering is interesting only for the trendy period clothing and vignettes of Oxford at the fag-end of the Swinging Sixties. All the characters are entirely unlikeable and the denouement by the Cherwell is quite horrible.