It is thought that the Abbey Fishponds once supplied fish to Abingdon Abbey. Now, this historic wetland is an area of green in the heart of North Abingdon stretching between Radley Road and Audlett Drive…

with built up banks, reedbeds, fen and wetland meadow. The pond has recently been cleared by volunteers, previously it was invisible behind a thick curtain of reeds.

On Saturday, when I visited, the Abbey Fishponds Conservation Volunteers were clearing areas of scrub and bramble near the long path to encourage the growth of wild flowers.

They are always looking for new volunteers. Next work parties are on November 21st, and December 5th. Regular workparties are held on the first Saturday of the month with occasional extra ones arranged for a Friday or Saturday morning depending on the amount of work to be done.

Contact Marjorie White on email saveradleylakes@ntlworld.com or phone 01235 530174.

The crowds applauded as the troops, and then the veterans, and then the uniformed groups, marched by after the service round the War Memorial.

Sales of poppies have gone through the roof this year.

On Wed 25th Nov, the army will be back in numbers again when the Royal Logistic Corps, from Dalton Barracks, will exercise the Freedom of Abingdon with a Parade and Medals Ceremony from 10:30.

The Sea Scouts were celebrating 100 years and so Councillor Alison Rooke, who started the fireworks, got an eleven year old girl, whose birthday it was today, to begin the count down… 10..9..8… Before that we sang Happy Birthday to her and the Sea Scouts.

Here is the last minute of the Fireworks. Turn down the sounds if you don’t like loud bangs.

TODAY IS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY. Two minutes silence at 11, but the service at the War Memorial starts a few minutes before that.

There is a new exhibition on at Abingdon School.The opening was this evening. It tells the story of the part played by former pupils of Abingdon School during WW II – they appear to have taken part in most of the important conflicts. It also tells how the school was affected by the war.

There was also a very interesting lecture on the development of war graves and monuments since WW I. The chap who started it all was very disappointed to see the state of the Boer War cemeteries, and dedicated his life to making sure those who died in WW I were given a fitting memorial, even though a high percentage remain unknown. He persuaded the best architects to design monuments, and ensured no distinction was made to rank within war cemeteries.

Mark from Mostly Book was there selling the book written to tell the story of the War Grave Commission.