There’s exciting news for fans of the Abingdon Monday Market! In addition to the regular Monday Market, stall holders will be out on the second Saturday of the month, unless it coincides with another event. This will be a chance for those who can’t make it on Mondays.

This Saturday, however, the frosty weather was a challenge, with only two stallholders braving the cold. One of them was Martin Wackenier of Devine Times Photography, who was offering some pictures at half price. Martin’s enthusiasm for photography began at a young age, sparked by a box camera given him by his grandfather, who recently passed away. It’s thanks to his grandfather’s encouragement that Martin now captures such stunning images.

Martin is pictured with his own picture of an Orangutan (Benjy I think) who Martin adopted as a Birthday Present at Dudley Zoo. As an adopter, Martin got a free entry to the zoo and even got to help feed Benjy, who now recognises him!

The Monday Market remains relatively unchanged year after year. As Christmas approaches, the plant stall had lots of wreathes and the vendor was calling out ‘Olly, Olly, Olly’.

The fish van had a long queue. The baker and the fruit and veg were busy. More people come to Abingdon on Monday.

Several customer gathered round the butchers van where hanging from hooks were large cuts of meat, such as joints and ribs, while the counter below was arranged with sausages, steaks, and other packaged cuts.

But some things have changed. The post-box no longer gets a crochet topper, and I read in the news, Royal Mail takeover by Czech billionaire approved.

Given the latest posting dates for Christmas and the price of first class stamps (first-class stamps are £1.65 and second-class 85p) our main batch of Christmas Cards, most of them going to the northern counties of England, were sent second class, with some time to spare, from the Market Place post box.

The stamps have pictures of the King and not the Queen. And year by year, we send and receive fewer. But at least we don’t have to rig up a series of lines to peg them all up the wall. They can all be displayed on the top of a sideboard.

Under a blue sky, the Abingdon Market Place played host to the Local Excellence Market today.

Locals browsed a wide selection of locally-made goods, including fresh produce and crafts, including ‘Designs in Glass’.

New at the Market was ‘My Apple Juice’. Since 2009 they have been ensuring apples don’t go to waste with a pressing service.

For about ten years at the market, Hunny Bunnys have sold clothing, comfort blankets and things for kids. They were there for the last time as they are retiring.