Browsing back numbers of The Illustrated London News I came across two stories about RAF Abingdon as a parachute training centre.

The wreckage of Britain’s worst air disaster for eight years in which 41 servicemen were killed when a Hastings of R.A.F Transport Command, on a parachute training flight, fell into a barley field a few minutes after taking off from Abingdon. The aircraft was to have landed at Benson after dropping parachutists at Weston on Green, but soon after take-off the pilot radioed that he was in difficulty. A board of enquiry was set up. Meanwhile all R.A.F Hastings have been taken out of service for a thorough examination. (17 July 1965)

The Falcons, which is what the display team of No 1 Parachute Training School, Abingdon, Berkshire, call themselves, have established a new British free-fall parachuting record. This was a six-man chain falling at a speed of 120 mph, from a height of 12,000 feet over the North African desert. The men jumped separately at half-second intervals, then linked up in mid-air. (21 January 1967).

Thanks to the Illustrated London News.

This morning the Boundary Walk left the Market Place at 11am for a 4 mile walk round the 1556 Abingdon Borough Boundary. The Boundary walk runs three times a year – on Jan 1st, the 2nd May Bank Holiday, and during Heritage Open Days, and it still draws a large following.

Kevin, who normally takes the Walk About Abingdon walks, led a walk round the Heritage sights of Abingdon, pointing out features that people who have lived here for many years have not noticed before, such as where the River Stert comes out into the Thames.

There was an afternoon Lost Abbey walk, which included a real Benedictine Monk, the same one who spoke on Friday about the life of a monk (in medieval times and now). It is good to welcome monks back to Abingdon again after all this time. Something to build on.

There were also a few properties open today. The Governors were on hand at the almshouses to answer questions about the portraits lining the walls of Christ’s Hospital Hall, and the exhibition about Abingdon Bridge, built 600 years ago this year.

At the end of the day I collected some signs, and hung up the damp bunting so that it is ready for storing away under the stairs for next year.

The Mayor opened the Medieval Festival yesterday and gave a big thank to the many people involved. That includes the people who have manned properties and exhibitions. People who have opened their properties or put displays in their windows. The museum for the amazing Medieval Festival. Groups who came to perform. Those who came to exhibit, set up, and clear away. Those who led walks, and did talks, and created exhibitions. She thanked the group of volunteers I work with from the Friends of Abingdon, and the Abingdon Archaeological and Historical Society. I would also like to thank everybody who came despite yesterday’s medieval weather. Thank the national Heritage Open Day organisation, and thank the sponsors and people who donated to make sure it happens again next year.

It was not raining when we got up at 6am, but there was a light rain when we went to pick up the gazebos, and it was raining hard by the time we put them up.

The Abingdon Music Centre sang some medieval songs in the dry of the museum undercroft.

Henry V gave a rousing speech in the rain

Abindon Bridge Beer was there on tap thanks to the Brewery Tap to celebrate 600 years since Abingdon Bridge, across the Thames, was built, in the reign of Henry V.

There were lots of medieval stalls on the Market Place. The most shocking, for any people born into the 20th and 21st Century, was the Apothecary and the treatment he gave his poor patient without any pain killers or basic hygiene. It drew a large crowd.

Connells the Estate Agent had for sale, for one day only: Royal Armour(complete with sword), Fantasy castle (energy Rating G), and battle ship (in excellent working order with 6 cannons and 80 cannon balls).

At the Old Gaol Knights fought a tournament to win the public’s favour.

There was a face painter who gave Henry V his scar, and a number of adults pustules, but did much nicer designs for children.

At the end of the day there were a series of Bell Ringing demonstrations at St Nicolas Church. Over 500 churches are taking part in a bell ringing for Heritage Open Day nationally. There were 14 building open in Abingdon for Heritage Open Day which were dry.

There was also a very successful Open Day at Culham Fusion Energy Centre despite the rain.

When it was time to take down the gazebos at 4pm the rain had just about stopped, and any water that had gathered was removed from the sagging gazebo roofs.

After that there was sunshine like the weather forecast predicted. More pictures on Abingdon Blog Facebook and a movie with music, jousting, bell ringing, and Henry V’s speech on youtube …

The year is 1416. Geoffrey Barbour invests a considerable sum in building a stone bridge from Abingdon towards London, and local businessmen seeing the benefits joined in funding the project.

At lunchtime in St Nicolas Church, the town archivist, Jackie Smith, gave a fascinating talk on the 600 year history of Abingdon Bridge. How it was breached in the civil war, and badly damaged by severe winters, but then repaired and improved again and again.

The final slide of the talk showed Abingdon’s Freemen driving sheep across Abingdon Bridge in the year 2000. Mr Michael Matthews on the right is the longest serving Freeman, and possibly the last remaining Mayor of the Borough of Abingdon.

The talk was the first event in the 4 day heritage open days. There are medieval happenings in town on Saturday to celebrate the bridge and Abingdon Bridge beer will be on tap.

There will also be 14 heritage properties open including the former County Police Station, now the home of The Abingdon Bridge Charity (TAB) who help and give counselling to young people. They are recognising the 600th anniversary of our town’s other bridge by encouraging  friends and visitors to match the age of the bridge with 600 £1 coins as a special heritage donation to help them with their work.

Another of the properties, Christ’s Hospital Hall, will have an exhibition about 600 years of Abingdon Bridge. See the map for the full list of open properties.