The Abingdon Town Band was performing on Abingdon Market Place, conducted by Steve Rich, bringing joy to people drinking coffee at the tables of Pablos Lounge, Costa, Starbucks, Ma Cherie, R&R, Java, and Throwing Buns.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the band’s reformation in 1965, a milestone they’ll celebrate with a special Anniversary Concert on June 28th. What’s striking is their journey from rehearsing in an old air raid shelter to performing for HRH the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle. They are still on the way back to full strength after the Covid layoff and have been seen more in the last year or so.

We stopped to listen, and were serenaded with: Slaidburn, Bach’s “Minuet in D,” and a Lady Gaga hit.

One day after the Farmers’ Market, Abingdon hosted a Local Excellence Market. The Town Crier was once more ringing out a warm welcome, encouraging people to shop locally rather than online.

Martin had a stall showcasing his photographs. Among the visitors was the lady featured walking up St Helen’s Wharf in the snow — a scene from one of his most celebrated winter pictures. Martin had also been at the Farmers Market and will be at the Monday Market.

Busby Bees, a regular presence at both the Farmers’ Market and the Local Excellence Market, were notably absent from yesterday’s event. David said that it was the first Farmers’ Market he had missed in a long time.

Clare Cross shared her enjoyment of the Local Excellence Market, saying that it is usually busy. She had a selection of artworks on sale at half price, with proceeds going toward an animal sanctuary.

All these markets continue to be an important part of Abingdon life.

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!