Abingdon Operatic Society are currently performing this musical made famous by the film starring Tommy Steel. It is at the Amey Theatre, Abingdon School from today until Saturday 8th April. The sixpence is a broken token of love, one half held by the lad who goes from rags to riches, and the other half by his girl who stays poor. Will they get together again?

There was a visit today from cameramen, a soundman, and a presenter from a BBC2 culture program to film the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.

This well known Abingdonian has taken on the part of “The fool”.

Two other well known members of the Morris men are the current “Mayor” of Ock Street – the name given to their leader, and his predecessor for many years – and still dancing into his eighties.

The “Mayor” is elected by the inhabitants of Ock Street.

The final picture from beneath the County Hall, this lunchtime, shows the Mayor of Abingdon, and one of the Freemen of Abingdon – there are three Freemen.

This quilted wall hanging was unveiled in Abingdon library today by the mayor Alison Rooke. Many people have sewn and stitched squares that are now all sewn together to give a collage of Abingdon from White Horse hill to Masons.

Down on the bottom row three from the end is a square that says Masons. This work could not have happened without a shop like Masons. It is a habberdasher and craft shop selling: threads, needles, buttons, zips, wool, knitting needles, cloths and material and lace, equipment for embroidery…

An Abingdon resident has told Abingdon Town Council that an EU (European Union)  directive may threaten this years bun throwing on June 10th. The traditional bun throwing is held to celebrate important national and local events. Buns are thrown by the mayor and other dignatories from the County Hall roof to be scrambled for by Abingdonians down below.

The resident says that the EU Health and Safety directive only allows uncovered food to be served where “the ambient concentation of pollutants like Nitrogen Oxide are below prescibed limits.”

The Town Council will meet in emergency session to discuss this and other potential dangers including:

• Whether passing birds – with bird-flu – could contaminate the buns
• Whether the force with which buns can be propelled using artificial means – such as tennis rackets, could lead to injuries.
• Whether an over zealous councillor could throw himself off the unstable roof with a bun

Recommendations on this matter will be made at the April 1st meeting of the Town Council health, safety and food hygene working party. Cllr Martin Smith and Cllr Peter Jones are investigating whether the buns could be wrapped in clingfilm and delivered more gently using balloons.

The resident, a Mr Loof Lirpa, an expert in European law, originally from Sweden, says “These directives are there to protect ordinary citizens from the high and mighty wielding power in whatever form.”