At 9am this morning, at the bottom entrance of Dalton Barracks, motorbikes of all shapes and sizes were arriving, sometimes in small groups, and sometimes in droves.

The bikes drove up the runway, of ex-Raf Abingdon; they made a donation to the Royal British Legion, then left in a huge convoy from the top end of Dalton Barracks.

Their destination was RAF Brize Norton, 24 miles away, where soldiers killed in action are repatriated.

I have no idea how many motorbikes took part – it was amazing, but my mum – who lives in Cumnor, said that the road was full of motorbikes, for two or three hours, and people from Cumnor stood by the roadside to cheer them on.

One of the new Mayor’s charities is the “Abingdon Community Hospital League of Friends”. She will also be supporting the Scouts, and fund raising for the South Abingdon Skate Park. Her first engagement on Saturday was to visit the Hospital League of Friends who had a Coffee morning at St Nicolas Church. Funds raised go to buy equipment for the hospital.

We did get a letter from the town council saying there will be road closures, and No Parking down East St Helen Street on Friday 24th May as there will be a Homecoming Parade, and medal presentation (around 9:30am). That will probably be about the biggest event in the mayoral year – the Princess Royal will be presenting the medals.