These pigeons were on the railings of Wilsham Road. The once smart black paint on this section of railings is peeling.

Pigeons are creatures of habit and will congregate at the same place at the same time if they learn that food will be available at that moment. They get scared off by people with cameras trying to get too close.

I did read on the internet that, on Armistice day, the Allied forces had in their service approximately 320,000 pigeons for communication.

Leading the Remembrance Day Parade were The Abingdon Town Band with Steve Rich in front.

Steve has been leading and conducting the band for twenty five years.

At the start of December there will be, what has been called, A Golden and Silver Celebration Concert. That is golden for fifty years of The Abingdon Operatic Society, and silver for the twenty five years Steve has led the Brass Band.

Just a flash back to 2006, where the band entertained the crowds when Princess Anne came to town.

There were a lot of people there for the Remembrance Day Service round the War Memorial. Every year there seem more people. The last post was played on the bugle, two minutes of silence followed, then a glider flew past, before the wreathes were laid at the War Memorial.

Afterwards, as the troops and uniformed organisations marched past, there was a loud cheer for the Soldiers. Many could be going back to Afghanistan and Iraq next year.

As well as the active soldiers, who continue to serve in wars, were the honoured veterans.

Somebody was telling me that a decade or so ago there used to be a gap in front of Smarts, the fish and chip shop, during the remembrance service. The area had been reserved for World War I soldiers but of those who had survived there were fewer and fewer, and so other people have filled in that area since.

They shall grow not old,
As we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.

–Laurence Binyon (1869 to 1943)