Today is the Monday when the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair would normally begin. The window in the Charter Day Centre still has a poster from a previous year.

There were no fair rides set up on Sunday, and no fair service. The Monday Market was on the Market Place and no fair rides.

As Monday evening came I would normally expect to hear young excited voices going to the fair. But not this year.

Normally on this Monday, above the Market Place, against the sky, Meteorite would battle with Body Count to be the loudest and brightest ride – whirling with their bright lights between St Nicolas Church and the County Hall.

Normally on this Monday, the traffic down Ock Street would stop for the fair. The only cars at this point would be dodgems.

Normally on this Monday, the staff from Dorindos would be outside giving away samples and selling takeaways to the crowds.

From this viewing point, I would normally see shooting galleries, stalls selling candy floss and chips. Further along would be some children’s rides. Crowds of people would be moving: some one way, some the other.

The fair was cancelled this year because of Covid-19, and the danger of such crowds.

The spirit of the fair was still there in a small way. Some people walked from the Market Place, along High Street and Ock Street and helped to carry a tradition. These two people were enjoying Reeves Fish and Chips, sitting on the wall that would be normally crowded on this Monday.

This ride may look like it came from the Nursery Shop. I can still imagine the sound of the Wurlitzer and the Galloping Horses at Abingdon Michaelmas Fair – on this Monday.