I took a stroll among the people of Abingdon this Friday evening as they unwound after a week of work. The Christmas Tree has been put up ready for next weekend’s Extravaganza.

Christmas lights are up. They will be turned on by three members of S Club 7 next Saturday – accompanied by whichever fan gets the highest mark on the Abingdon Quiz set by the Chamber of Commerce.

St Helen’s Church was lit up from inside for the end of a rehearsal or event.

The Co-op signs came down this evening and the new signs for Peacocks / Edinburgh Woollen Mill went up.

Christmas started today with some Christmas Shopping at the Finishing Touch on Stert Street.

Then onto the Christmas Shopping event at the Abbey Buildings. The annual Craft Fair is not there in its usual form this year. So somebody called Paul has done an excellent job putting on an alternative event.
It was fabulous to meet Patsy on the way in.

Inside we got some interesting gifts for Christmas – only 10 weeks to go.

We tried out some samples, including Dutch beer, ginger drinks, sizzling sausages, and some wax on our shoes.

Also had a go on the Sobel House scratchcards but didn’t win, and saw a blind hedgehog at the Hedgehog Rescue stall. There has been a dramatic fall in Hedgehog numbers in our lifetime.

We met Patsy again on the way out. Here she is joined by Rapunzel, a youngish Cap’n Jack Sparrow, and Mrs Backstreeter.

The window of the Sue Ryder shop  changes every week. This week they have a nativity scene cleverly made from materials they had on hand.

There was a mixture of sunshine and showers on Christmas Eve. This Rainbow was seen over Waitrose.

The bells of St Nicolas Church were ringing in the afternoon; and at St Helen’s Church, oranges and candles had been prepared for the very popular Christingle Service.

As the sun went down over Ock Street, the sun lit up the clouds with an orange glow.

The Abingdon pubs were very busy as people made Merry.

Also open late were the churches, and St Nicolas among others had a Midnight service. A crib has been there during advent, and was lit up again on Christmas Eve.

And there was the unusual sight of a Christmas Full Moon for those going home early on Christmas Day morning.

Merry Christmas.