Town Mayor's Sunday



It has always been tradition that soon after an Inauguration of a Town Mayor a Civic Service takes place at the Parish Church.   

For many years this stood on its own but in 1997 the Town Mayor took the event into Banbury’s People’s Park – a hidden historical gem in the heart of the town.  Not many years later Town Mayor’s Sunday linked in with the Hobby Horse Festival which celebrates, amongst its own traditions, Banbury’s nursery rhyme ‘Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross’.   

Hobby horse races for both children and adults now takes place in People’s Park on the first Sunday in July, together with a parade of Morris Beasts, dancing, music and entertainment in the arena.  For those who prefer to relax and hopefully soak up the sun then there is ample opportunity to enjoy a pint of traditional ale or quintessentially afternoon teas.  A procession lead by the Air Training Corps Band leaves the Town Hall around mid-day followed by the Town Mayor’s procession and then a colourful display of Morris Teams, Beasts, children with their hobby horses or nursery rhyme characters.  A short ecumenical service takes place in St. Mary’s followed by a fun afternoon for all in the nearby People’s Park.

Town Mayors Sunday 2010

Town Mayors Sunday 2009

Town Mayors Sunday 2008



Town Mayor's Sunday 2007

Click here to see more information on the Hobby Horse Festival

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