This weekend was a chance to see the friendly rivalry between our two Abingdon Morris dancing teams. On Saturday, Mr Hemmings Traditional Morris Dancers welcomed visitors from Argentan. On Sunday, it was the turn of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers to welcome the civic party and members of the Cercle Jumelage Europe Argentan. One of the dances, the Maid of the Mill, saw dancers honouring one of the organisers from Argentan.

The Fool, Mr Roger Cox, introduced the Mayor of Ock Street, Mr Harry Knight, to the visitors from France, along with the famous Ock St Horns.

Sunday ended with a buffet at the Trinity Church Conduit Centre, bringing together the visitors from Argentan and the hosts. It was a chance for everyone to get together and celebrate 70 years of friendship between our two towns.

Abingdon welcomed over 40 visitors from Argentan in Normandy today (Saturday 22nd August 2026) as the two towns celebrated 70 years of friendship and twinning.

The anniversary celebrations began in the Roysse Room at the Guildhall, where the visitors were formally welcomed by the Town Crier. Cllr Andrew Skinner, Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, and Cllr Emmanuel Flouvat, Mayor of Argentan, then addressed the gathering.

The Mayor of Abingdon spoke in French, while the Mayor of Argentan spoke in English. The two Mayors then signed a document to celebrate 70 years of twinning history.

The formal proceedings were followed by a talk on the history of Abingdon, given by Elin Bornemann from the Abingdon County Hall Museum.

The visitors then enjoyed refreshments at the Guildhall, followed by traditional Morris dancing from Mr Hemming’s Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. The visitors also carried flags bearing the words ‘Tous Normands depuis 10 ans’ – ‘Normans for 10 years’, marking the tenth anniversary of the reunification of Haute-Normandie and Basse-Normandie as the region of Normandie in 2016.

Visitors from Argentan joined the dancers for one of the dances.

Many of the Abingdon people and Argentan visitors were wearing T-shirts carrying the town crests and the words ’70 ans d’amitié 1956–2026′ – ’70 years of friendship.’

The group then made a visit to the County Hall Museum with a chance to enjoy the views.

After lunch, the visitors explored more of Abingdon through guided walks. Smaller groups visited St Helen’s Church and its bell tower. The day’s programme (will end  | ended) with dinner at Tiffins Indian Restaurant in Bath Street.

Last night, the church twinning groups gathered at St Edmund’s for a closing service. Among those present were visitors from Sint-Niklaas (Belgium), Argentan (France), and Schongau (Germany), along with host families, organisers, and local church leaders.

After the service, there was time to chat and enjoy refreshments together and the chance to try out handbells.

The visitors (from all three towns but coordinated by Sint Niklaas) presented a painting they had purchased: a view of St Helen’s Church and wharf by George Vicat Cole. Executed in oil and pencil on board, the work dates to around 1880, a period when Cole devoted himself to a series of Thames views from source to sea. It is a very generous gift.

The Abingdon Church Twinning group are marking 25 years of church twinning this weekend. Visitors have come from Sint-Niklaas in Belgium, Argentan in France, and Schongau in Germany.

On Friday, visitors had a chance to explore Oxford or Blenheim Palace, followed by a supper featuring Shepherd’s Pie — in six or seven varieties. One vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie was brought in a cycle-basket by Richard. Shepherd’s Pie was followed by strawberries and cream, which may explain one Abingdon supermarket being low on strawberries today.

On Saturday, the group toured Abingdon. Although they didn’t get to see the Abingdon Air and Country Show, they could hear the aircraft buzzing about and imagine the scene from our  descriptions.

On Sunday, the weekend will draw to a close with a goodbye service and a reception at St Edmund’s Church, after a day with their host families.