Here are a few pictures of the winter lights in Abingdon (starting at the southern end of town)…

Abingdon Bridge at sundown.

St Helen’s Church and Wharf.

The floodlights at Abingdon Town football club reflected on the Thames.

A window in East St Helens Street.

A garden in Saxton Road – it boasts more such displays than any other road in Abingdon.

However, there were fewer lights than usual in other areas of South Abingdon. There are still a lot of people not back into their flood damaged houses yet and, perhaps as a sign, there was only one Christmas light – a swinging bell – on one normally-festive road.

Father Christmas has already been round South Abingdon last week. He will start sleigh-riding round North Abingdon tonight at 6 pm from Boulter Drive, and tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6 pm from Hanson Road. His helpers have buckets so you can donate money for the work of the Abingdon Lions.

Yesterday morning, there were three fire engines at the Net youth centre. Young people in judo kits had been brought outside the building.

It was a kitchen fire and smoke stains can be seen round the near vent. The door has been forced in.

Thanks for the picture from some on-the-spot correspondents.

The Vineyard Church were back as in previous years outside Woolworths offering “Free present wrapping!… Mince pies!…”

I did most of my Christmas shopping in Abingdon this year. We used to go to places like Reading and Milton Keynes for the big shops, but no more. They are too confusing. Its just easier doing it in town.

Nearby the special £2 Bumper Christmas edition of Big Issue was on sale.