The first Local Excellence Market of the year was on the Market Place this morning with crafts, food and drink. The next one is on 29th April.

An Abingdon-based supplier of hampers and gifts was there for the first time with cheeses, pickles, and charcuterie, including the prize-winning Norton and Yarrow Cheese, from the Earth Trust Farm in South Oxfordshire.

Margaret Horton had an art stall and will be at the Table Top Sale in Trinity next Saturday.

There is also a Jumble Sale tomorrow at Fitzharrys School. £1 entry. Children Free. All money raised will go to Fitzharrys School.

MG enthusiasts gathered on Abingdon Market Place for the Boxing Day social gathering, organised by Richard of the The Abingdon Works Centre MG Car Club.

MGs began gathering around 10 am, and some stayed until after lunch.

The sun shone, and many people enjoyed the fresh air and exercise.

The cars included an MG Midget made in the Abingdon works in 1977, with driver Roy. Bridget the Midget drove around the world in 2008/9 and then from Abingdon to Cape Town in 2011. Earlier this year, Bridget went across Europe to visit the west of Ukraine. Roy’s blog at http://www.bridgetthemidget.co.uk/ has details of their adventures, including how Bridget’s registration number causes interest at border crossings.

Traders and craftspeople came to Abingdon Market Place for the autumn Local Excellence Market today.

After a two-year absence, the Abingdon Extravaganza will be back on the 26th of November and will have a football theme. In the year when the England Lionesses won Euro 2022, after beating Germany 2-1 in extra-time at Wembley, the extravaganza will be opened by some of the Oxford United Women’s team. The extravaganza format will be the same as in previous years, with a parade, stalls, and entertainment.

The Royal British Legion has launched its annual poppy appeal, and there were traditional poppies and smaller lapel badges, including a Falklands 40 badge. 255 British personnel lost their lives recapturing the Falklands in 1982.

This morning on the Market Place, as part of the Oxfordshire Great Green Week, the people of Abingdon made Robin Nesting Boxes to be taken home and put up in suitable locations.

There were other green stalls under the County Hall and on the Market Place including one for Abingdon Liveable Streets, a project that aims to improve our walking and cycling routes so that people can travel to school or work safely without needing to use their cars.

Also on the Market Place was a Guide Dogs stall. The Market Place is not only available for Markets but also for community groups. The application process is on the town council website at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/community-services/help-your-event/booking-market-place. The main issue for some groups is getting their own Public Liability Insurance for £10 million.