The bollards along St Helen’s Wharf have once again been topped with crochet tops. Snowmen, robins, and Christmas puddings now alternate along the railings, adding festive interest to this picturesque stretch of the Thames.
Some of the decorations are familiar: last year saw 75 robins and puddings, and the year before 75 puddings – many of which have made a return, joined by the new snowmen.
The display is appreciated by people walking the wharf. Even the river seems to have gained a festive visitor. Among the familiar mallards, a new duck has been seen in recent months: a Red-crested Pochard. It behaves much like the others, paddling over hopefully when people stop and gaze. These exotic birds were originally part of ornamental bird collections, and have escaped and gone native.
Most people who opened the first door on their Advent calendar today will have found a picture or a piece of chocolate. But at St Helen’s Church there’s a different kind of calendar.
Each day, a new figure is added to the Jesse Tree, tracing the family line from Adam all the way to Jesus.
Today, Monday 1st December, it began with Adam and Eve — complete with serpent and apple. As the first people in the biblical story, they mark the beginning of humanity and the start of the journey that the Jesse Tree will follow through Advent.
One of the stranger sights was the glow of lights behind the Albert Monument, like a scene from a science-fiction film. These were laser tests ahead of the firework display at Dalton Barracks.
November began mild, but by the end of the first week most deciduous trees had already lost their leaves, helped along by shorter days, wind and rain. Some trees were bare, others had a few leaves left.
The noble oaks however still held their leaves right up to the end of November, after several frosts.
There were several frosty mornings after the middle of the month.
The sun rise on a frosty day is beautiful whether or not anybody is there to enjoy it.
A mini-tractor makes its early-morning rounds, emptying bins, leaving tracks.
The low winter sun casts long shadows from the Albert Monument and from the bare trees.
After a frosty night, there is often a sunny day. Albert Park is a popular walk all year round. The November sun attracts not just the dog walkers and joggers, but walkers without dogs making the most of the semicircle of paths.
With the branches bare, birds are easier to spot as they sing or flit from tree to tree.
Holly berries and the yew cups stand out after other colours fade.
Traders and community groups welcomed shoppers and visitors to Abingdon’s annual Christmas Extravaganza, which brought together entertainment, a parade, a market, and the Christmas lights switch-on.
The day began wet — a good excuse to visit somewhere indoors, such as the St Helen’s Christmas Fair, also taking place during the morning.
Or the Preloved clothes sale in the Guildhall, thanks to One-Planet Abingdon.
By the time the parade was ready to set off at 12 noon the rain had stopped. (These are members of Abingdon Drama Club who will be performing The Snow Queen in January.)
The parade was led by the Oxford Caledonian Pipers, followed by Amanda Alder’s Dance Academy; Guides and Brownies; the cast of Beauty and the Beast from the Cornerstone in Didcot;
the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers;
Abingdon Town Council;
Abingdon Music Centre;
and finally Father Christmas, brought to us by the Abingdon Lions. He had a grotto outside Poundland for the rest of the day.
The parade route was closed for about twenty minutes, and the parade participants ended up in the carpark behind Bury Street where I took this picture of members of the Beauty and the Beast cast with the Mayor and Town Councillors.
Bath Street was closed for the craft market, with performances running there throughout the day, as well as on the Market Place.
The final act on the Market Place was Courtney Reddy performing as Avril Lavigne.
Then Duncan Brown led the traditional countdown from 10 to 0, the Mayor pressed the red button, and the Christmas lights came on instantly.
There was a prize for the most festive market stall. There was no prize for the most festive shop front but plenty of good competition. This is Fabulous Flowers.
The Extravaganza was organised by the Abingdon Events Partnership with sponsorship from lots of local businesses including the Bury Street precinct, Fairacres Retail Park, Missing Bean cafe and Wenn Townsend accountants.
Here is a video of the Parade and the Oxford Caledonian Pipe Band:
