Over the last three days, Abingdon has not been alone. There have been representatives from St Niklaas in Belgium, Argentan and Colmar in France, Schongau in Germany, and Lucca in Italy at the twin towns conference. It is an annual event, which Abingdon hosts every five years. So 2012 will be the next one here.

Delegates can discuss matters of mutual concern. This is the mayor from Schongau with the Abingdon twinning officer.

In this picture the Mayor of Abingdon is talking to the delegate from Lucca in Italy through an interpreter.

It was also good to meet this visitor from Abingdon, Virginia.

These people have earned a twin town medal for what they have done for twinning. Tonight was the final meal when gifts were exchanged, and people said ‘Bon Voyage.’ The previous night they had all been to Al Zaib for a traditional English curry.

The Mayor of Abingdon is in the foreground, and Peter Rhoades-Brown of Oxford United, who turned on the lights, is the one without a large chain .

Two visitors from our twin town, Schongau, dressed in national costume, huddled together against the wind and the first spits of rain. But the rain soon vanished leaving Abingdon like a different place…

There were pirates at Mostly Books (who also did an Extravaganza Blog) …

Robin Hood at the Book Store…

Woolworths staff had gone completely Disney. They came second in the best dressed shop award.

Abingdon Drama Club were promoting Jack and the Beanstalk – a pantomime coming soon to the Unicorn Theatre. But as they were not a shop, they didn’t get a placing.

Two of the Drayton Players were in the horse drawn cab, dressed as Cinderella and Prince Charming.

And the winners of the best dressed shop were The Newbury Building Society. They

declared themselves to be ‘Over the Rainbow’ about their success.

Whiz… Bang… Whoosh!

(On a sadder note. Hope the chap who collapsed outside the Abbey Bank is OK)

Flags are flying in front of the County Hall. Its Abingdon’s turn to host a three day twin towns conference. It is a good time to come because tonight is the annual Extravaganza and switching on of the Christmas Lights.

There will be free parking for the Extravaganza evening… Parade 6.45 pm. Lights Switch-on 7.00 pm. Fireworks 8.15 pm.

(picture of Charter Carpark taken two months ago from the County Hall roof)…

(Civic Carpark taken more recently.)

Most of the work has finished. The new pavement layout is complete and fresh white lines painted on new tarmac .

Loading bays and disabled bays are in place – 2 of each here on the right, some others further this way on the other side.

The traffic lights at the top have moved to connect Station Yard and Broad Street, rather than the surgery and job centre.

There are a lot of paving slabs still to be laid along Broad Street. Perhaps the Farmers Market will decide to move there next.