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.

Due to the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, some market stalls that typically operate on Mondays were on the Market Place today. They took advantage of the pleasant weather and also the number of people shopping.

The One Planet Abingdon stall offered a continuously changing selection of plants and seeds. They had a seed and plant swap day, allowing people to exchange spare seeds or plants. Visitors could still take a plant or seeds without bringing any of their own.

The Dog Stop celebrated their first birthday by rewarding visiting dogs with free dog treats.

The Abingdon Christian Aid group had a colourful stall at the marketplace selling plants, preserves, books etc. They were also taking donations to fight global hunger.

The Vale of White Horse Ramblers group organised some walks as part of the walking festival.

Walks left the Market Place during Saturday morning and the early afternoon. The day was sunny and many of the walks were fully booked.

There were other themed stalls on the Market Place. They included the Oxford Fieldpaths Society who organise their own walks and have one starting in Abingdon on May 16th. They also try to keep footpaths open and provide improved access with better gates.

The Abingdon Eagles provide Adult walking basketball at the White Horse Leaisure and Tennis Centre.

The White Horse Leisure Tennis Centre has an extensive senior activities programme designed to enhance physical and mental wellbeing, with the chance to chat before and after.