It was Make Music Day in Abingdon, and around the globe.

There were places to play music and listen to music all around Abingdon Town Centre.

On the Market Place a lot of us gathered and joined arms and sang Hey Jude.

Ashnah brought us exotic music and dancing.

There were events on the Market Place, workshops in the Guildhall and at the Library, and then as the sun went down, there was music at the Crown and Thistle, Brewery Tap, R & R, and Pablo’s Lounge. Every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — were there in Abingdon Town Centre, helping to bring us together with music, and it was all free.

The organisers of Make Music Abingdon have set up music workshops and lots of other events this coming Friday.  Visit the Make Music Abingdon facebook page for the full number of events.

This is part of a world celebration of music on Friday 21st June. Launched in 1982 in France as the Fête de la Musique, it is now held on the same day in more than 120 countries, and Abingdon is making the most of the day with something for everybody.

You can book for free workshops including a top class percussionist at the library, ukelele at the Guildhall, and violin at the Guildhall. Then as many people as possible are needed for the Singing Human Chain on the Market Place at 6:10.

There were four good bands playing at Music in the Park. They all worked well with the big audience.

There was an audience of about 5,000 people.

David Pope and Margaret Crick were there. They were the deputy Mayor and Mayor of Abingdon last year. Margaret is now Chair of the Vale of White Horse District Council.

The last band Hope and Glory played a lot of old favourites for anybody who liked Ska music.

The new Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Charlie Birks, thanked all the people who had helped make this event possible, especially the council staff.

The evening ended with Abingdon Town Band who played some songs by Queen, including Bohemian Rhapsody, and then a couple of traditional prom songs.

Then fireworks.

The Abingdon Jazz Festival kicked off at the Unicorn Theatre this evening. The evening began with Gilad Atzmon who people said was very good. We were there at 8:30pm to see The Heavy Dexters and they were great fun –

very entertaining. There is a lot more on tomorrow and Sunday. The main programme is at   http://www.abingdonjazzfestival.org.uk/ There is also a fringe festival at the Roysse Room tomorrow.