The Pandemic did not stop people gathering round the war memorial to remember Armistice Day. At eleven o’clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, people stood and traffic came to a stop for the two-minute silence at Abingdon War Memorial.

The giant poppies have been switched on for the last few days near the war memorial.

The lights in Bury Street have also been on.

This afternoon, and evening, the rest of the Christmas lights came on unannounced in Abingdon Town Centre.

In normal times, hundreds of people would have gathered around the Market Place, after a day of entertainment, to watch as a celebrity switched on the lights.

Many local businesses cannot get the full benefit until the 2nd December, when they can fully re-open.

Remembrance events have been scaled back because of the covid 19 epidemic. The Town Council is urging members of the public to observe the two-minute silence at 11.00 am on Sunday 8^th November on their doorsteps.

Organisations have been laying  wreaths, and individuals crosses, ahead of Remembrance Day. This is the 75th year since the end of World War II.

There are displays in some shop windows, such as this one in the Co-operative Funeral Service on Abingdon, High Street.

Leaves are turning red on the Market Place. Lots of people were out in the open, drinking coffee.

Hedgehogs were this weeks cause for the XR Abingdon group. The group will be promoting a number of causes in coming weeks and months. Several small changes in people’s behaviour add up to a big change.

They were giving away bags of hedgehog food and information about how to help hedgehogs. To avoid the danger of roads, hedgehogs need to move between back gardens. They suggested opening holes under fences – big enough for hedgehogs to squeeze through.

Abingdon Country Market have moved their market to the yard outside the Salvation Army – rather than inside. They had a one way system, and track and trace. 

I was not the only photographer taking pictures. Somebody thought the other chap was doing the Abingdon Blog. He has actually been taking pictures of Abingdon much longer than me. They are very good. One day we may see more.

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council will be looking at a smaller Remembrance Day ceremony this year because of Covid-19, or possibly no ceremony at the war memorial. It may or may not involve a road closure.

For those people who are back at church, or are watching church on live-stream, the ceremony can take place as usual. Remembrance happens at 11am on Sunday when some people are at church, every year.

For others, not at main event, it can be commemorated at home. They can watch the national event at the cenotaph, or even local events streamed from their local war memorial.

Poppy selling is going to be different with fewer places selling poppies. Fewer volunteers will be selling them. Due to Covid-19 many elderly volunteers will be unable to help. The Royal British Legion provide a download and print Remembrance Poppy to display at home and show your support for the Armed Forces community. They will ask people to get batches of poppies and distribute them.

Whatever happens Remembrance Day, on Sunday 8th November 2020, will be different.