Yesterday we caught the X3 into Oxford and, among other things, walked through the Covered Market where Hedges’ posters advertise the geese and turkeys – supplied by Peachcroft Farm for over 75 years.

Turkeys and geese could be seen above the shop.

Hedges in Abingdon also have the same posters – alongside blackboards telling passers-by of the meats on offer.

There is no display of turkeys and geese above the shop window,. There is not even a shop window. Hedges delivery vans operate from here, but there is a door welcoming customers.

Not far away on the Market Place Mistletoe was hung out on the plant stall. Another of the ingredients for Christmas.
…
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
…
From Nat King Cole’s – The Christmas Song.

The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames has a Christmas Carol Concert at St Helen’s Church. All are welcome.
St Helen’s Church gets very well used over this festive period. In the evening, when I come home from work, cars are parked in every corner they can find, and during the day, when I work from home, there is the hub-bub of of school pupils arriving, by foot, and then going back to school after their carol concerts.

Jane sent me a picture of the Christian Aid singers and band at the Farmer’s Market yesterday. Christian Aid have a Yemen Crisis appeal along with other charities. We are all aware this Christmas that there are people in both Yemen and Syria who are in very great need. Nearer to home, at Christmas, we also have homeless aware campaigns such as Crisis at Christmas.

Throughout last week, and also today, Saturday 17th December 2016, the Church in Abingdon have recreated a bit of Narnia in the Community Freespace. So you are warmly invited to visit.

Festive Carols were happening round the shops of Abingdon this afternoon.

Then everybody got together under the tree on the Market Place at 5:30pm for a sing-along.

Thanks to Abingdon Music Centre and their enthusiastic conductor; all the people who turned out; and Visit Abingdon who helped organised the event.

S Club sang ‘Never had a dream come true …’

Then it could have happened to you in Abingdon today at the Extravaganza. The Oxford Caledonian pipers were there to play

Father Christmas was in a sleigh.

Bath Street was packed. Hopefully this was a dream for the retailers.

And if your dream is to be a fireman then the Abingdon fire service want new recruits.

There were queues to go inside the glass snow ball.

Then S Club came on the stage, and sang some songs well known from round the turn of the millennium including ‘Ever had a Dream Come True” and ‘S Club Party’ .

The Christmas lights were switched on, and the fireworks were amazing. Here is my attempt at a video with parade, lights on, S Club, and fireworks.

Thankyou again to the Abingdon Chamber of Commerce who stage this event. It could have been the best yet.