The Abingdon Traditional Mummers were out last night, performing at most of the pubs in the town centre. I caught up with them as they were just finishing their ten-minute play at the Punch Bowl. Although they were running late, they waited until everyone had finished their drinks before moving on.

As ever, Father Christmas introduced the play and collected donations, which this year go towards the St Ethelwold’s Appeal (see yesterday’s blog). A number of people – something close to groupies – from the Punch Bowl then followed the Mummers on to their next stop, the Tipsy Mercer.

At the Tipsy Mercer a quiz was in progress, but the quizmaster broke off proceedings, and the Mummers were rewarded with a fully attentive audience. This is not always the case, as in some pubs people carry on drinking and talking regardless of the loud interruptions of the play.

The version performed appeared to be the Sunningwell play (from the nearby village), with five characters: Father Christmas, King George, Bold Slasher, the Doctor, and Mrs Finney. After much boasting, King George and Bold Slasher fight, and King George is killed.

The Doctor is calls and tries a series of unlikely remedies. There were plenty of jokes throughout, including several involving the younger members of the audience – some of whom were absent-mindedly squirted with water from the Doctor’s syringe – before the Doctor finally succeeds in bringing King George back to life.

A second sword fight then follows, in which King George kills Bold Slasher. At this point Mrs Finney, donning a headscarf, is called for. Brandishing her flashing umbrella – with a squeaky voice like a character out of the goonshow, she restores Bold Slasher to life.

The performance ended, as tradition demands, with a rendition of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

The final meeting of the year of the Evergreens Club at Trinity Church was a Christmas celebration, with entertainment provided by half of the Mellstock Choir. They sang Christmas songs and carols, many of them associated with Thomas Hardy’s family and neighbourhood, and also read extracts from Hardy’s writings. There were also lively dancing songs that had feet tapping.

In the second half of the afternoon, everyone joined in singing well-loved carols, accompanied on the piano by Sheila. The gathering was completed with party food and a special cake and a secret santa.

Stephanie, a member who died last year, had left a gift to the club, and it was decided to use this to fund this party, which was attended by about fifty members and visitors. Stephanie’s daughter was present to cut the cake.

(The middle image is shown in a cartoon style, to capture the atmosphere while not showing people whose permission I did not ask.)

Members of the Church in Abingdon were singing carols in the Market Place today. They set up banners, including one of the stable scene in the Nativity Story. There was a craft table and face painting.

The Town Crier announced each of the carols. A keyboard player and violinist accompanied the singing.

Singing was led by Sally Mears.

There were even several dogs who joined in with the occasional bark.

Afterwards the Street Pastors offered hot pasties and mulled juice.

Above is a recording of just one of the many carols: Oh Little Town of Bethlehem with Sally Mears adding a Descant on the last verse.

I’ve come across the Abingdon Bell Ringers three times already this festive season. The first occasion was at the St Michael’s Christmas Fair, where the bells provided background music.

Next, I saw them at Abingdon Phab, where they not only performed but also led Phab members in singing a selection of traditional carols and allowed members to have a go. The bell ringers also set a Christmas quiz for Phab members.

Most recently, they played at Trinity Church’s Winter Warmer, as church members gathered for a shared meal and raised over £200 for Christmas charities.

The group needs at least six ringers to give a full performance, and they seem to have a pool of players to call on. A few familiar faces appeared at all three events, while others joined for one or two, keeping each performance slightly different. Handbell ringing has a long association with Christmas. It is a visual performance too as audiences can watch the movement of the bells.