Abingdon Counnty Hall Museum was open from 7-9pm this evening. There were exhibitions to look round, but most people were watching the musicians perform. There was a good turnout of people.

The Oxford Waits were performing in 17th period costume.

Scampy played acoustic music.

The Alphorn Trio performed traditional Swiss Alphorn music. It is the first time I have seen an Alphorn band performing in Abingdon. The horns used to be used for signalling or rounding up cows, but are now adapted as musical instruments.

Abingdon County Hall Museum took part in the national event Museums at Night. The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Margaret Crick, was there talking to the guests, and musicians.

Musician included the Cherry Tree Ensemble, playing in the former court sessions hall, where trials were held for 200 years. Now the hall holds the main standing exhibition of Abingdon’s unique history, as well as an area for temporary displays.

The Oxford Waites also performed. Some of their music dates back to the 17th century, when the County Hall was built.

Between their songs, one of their number regaled the audience with old tales of Abingdon, including the escapades of the Moorish Dancers, and how people were scandalised by them when they dressed in women’s clothes. Over the centuries the Moorish Dancers have become Morris Dancers. He also told of how tigers, baboons and other exotic animals were once sold on Abingdon Market Place, as recounted in Jackson’s Oxford Journal.

Ian Miles performed on the roof with the keyboard.

He played Moonlight Serenade as we looked out over the sun’s long afterglow, and the pool of incandescent light in front of Sami’s Kebab Trailer.

I missed the Museum at Night so was very glad to get this report from Matt. He says …

We had a great turnout and some amazing music.

Typically it rained almost the whole evening, but the bands improvised splendidly by heading to the attic galleries which turned out to be highly atmospheric.

For the moments that the sun came out the crowds gathered up to enjoy what was a stunning contrast of darkened sky and brilliant yellows of the evening setting sun.

The museum lift appears to be Out of Order more often than not. Perhaps outside lifts are just not that reliable.

Meanwhile there has been scaffolding round the Cupola, at the top of the museum, for the last 2 or 3 months. English Heritage are investigating some unexplained noises.