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.

The Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir were performing this evening at St Helen’s Church. They were there for the Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames Charity Choir Concert. The event was raising funds for the Mayor’s Charities Against Breast Cancer and The Abingdon Bridge.

The Mayor, Councillor Jan Morter, a teacher of music, also invited the Oxford County Youth Choir – open to anyone aged 11-18 who loves singing.

The Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir have been singing together since 1928 – originating with Welshmen drawn to Oxford to work at the Morris Car Factory. It is open for anyone who is Male, and now comprises half Welshmen and half men of other nationalities.

After an excellent evening the two choirs joined together for the final two songs. The Youth and the Men were led by Helen Swift, the musical director of the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir, singing Oh Danny Boy, and Mae Hen (The Welsh National Anthem).