There was a final march past by the RGBW (Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire) Regiment. The Royal Berkshire Regiment were granted the Freedom of the town of Abingdon in 1955, and more recently, after amalgamating to become the RGBW, that freedom was reaffirmed in a Freedom Ceremony in 2004.

The RGBW have already done their final march through: Bristol, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Swindon, and Devizes. Today they are doing Abingdon and Wallingford. And later in the week they march through Reading, Salisbury and finally Windsor. From next year they will join up with regiments from Dorset and Devon to become ‘The Rifles’.
Back in the 18th Century, Regiments were first given County Titles to assist in recruiting. In 1881, two battalions were brought together to create the Royal Berkshire (Princess Charlotte’s) Regiment.

(The chap in the white apron is not the cook but is dressed up like one of the pioneer corps – one of the historic uniforms taking part of the parade. The pioneers used to go in with axes to smash down barracades. The apron protected their uniform.)
For the descendents of the Abingdon men who joined up with the Royal Berks for the 1914-18 War; and anybody like these members of the Royal British Legion who once belonged to the Regiment, it will be a sad day.

When the Mayor said that our close ties with the regiment go back to when Abingdon was a part of Berkshire, somebody shouted out ‘It still is in Berkshire!’

Anyway, the ceremony went well apart from some traffic hold-ups round Abingdon because of road closures. Here is a copy of the parade route starting at Abingdon School where the RGBW were joined by some cadets, then past the County Hall, and down East St Helens Street, and up West St Helens Street.

Here, later in the day, is the junction where the River Ock(on the right), is rejoined by the Mill Stream (from the left), carrying away some of that excess water.

The Mill Stream descends steeply causing rough water.

The building behind, called St helens Mill, is now divided into flats.

Here are people getting secured into the ride called STORM, late last night.

It is a suprise to return over the route of the fair the next morning and find that all the rides (including the mighty STORM) have gone away.

And this morning there was another sort of storm. Clouds cracking with thunder let loose a Storm of torrential rain on Abingdon.

(As to the fairground ride storm, this is not a good picture, but there are people in that cage high up in the sky. That huge propellor spins round, and cages either end tip upside down and round.)

The fair begins near the White Horse pub. The road is stopped up here, and cars have to find another way round.
It usually involves driving round in circles.
And not getting home for your tea.
This stall always does a good trade. The chap on the microphone says “Come on Boys and Girls! Chance to win a big prize!” and he has got your childrens attention and yours…
Some parents end up carrying a large giraffe around for the rest of the evening…

For others, when the man on the microphone asks the child “What you gonna choose? What you gonna choose?” end up with “The Big Froggy! “
Which leads us neatly on to this ride. Froggit was this years replacement for the ‘Jump and Smile’ ride.