Abingdon Rowing Club were out on rowing machines on the Market Place in Abingdon-on-Thames, raising money for Cancer Research. They had a target of 346 km – the length of the River Thames.

The scaffolding has come down from the Cupola above the County Hall Museum revealing a shiny weather vane and bright Cupola – all ready for the Queen’s 90th Birthday Bun Throwing on Saturday 11th June.

The Commonwealth Flag is also flying to commemorate Commonwealth Day on Monday 14 March.

In Bury Street there is a balloon arch in front of the new Superdrug entrance.

Bury Street got a face lift three years ago. The main change, apart from the new facades, was two larger units. The intention was to attract national retailers. Both units have now been filled by national retailers – New Look and Superdrug.

Although they did move from elsewhere in Bury Street.

Walking round town this evening I spotted something going on at Mostly Books. They had an evening with the author Ali Shaw.

In St Nicolas Church artists and friends were there for the start of the Abingdon Artists Spring exhibition.

At Abingdon Music Centre a band could be heard rehearsing.

And at the Unicorn Theatre voices were raised in anger. It is the first night of ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ performed by Abingdon Drama Club.

Roman Soldiers were there in case of trouble as people went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. Many Jews wanted rid of the Romans, and thought Jesus might lead their campaign to get out of the Roman Empire.

But Jesus did not turn out to be that kind of leader. He entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey,welcoming children.

There was a large cast of singers and people taking part in the performance of the Abingdon Passion. One performance was at 11am. The second followed at 3pm.

Jesus upset the established religious leaders by turning the money changers out of the Temple, saying it was the house of God,and they had turned it into a den of thieves. Those leaders then looked for an opportunity to get rid of Jesus.

During the Passover meal Jesus told Judas to go and do what he had to do. Jesus was arrested later that evening and taken for trial – betrayed by Judas.

Other disciples of Jesus also let him down. Peter broke down after denying even knowing Jesus.

Jesus was brought before the Religious leaders, Pontius Pilate – the Roman Governor, and then before Herod with his harem.Herod soon got bored with Jesus because he would not speak or do any miracles, and so sent him back to Pilot for a final decision.

Jesus was brought out to be flogged.

Then Jesus was crucified.

His mother Mary was there as he died, and held his body for a few moments, before it was taken to a tomb.

The body disappeared, and somebody looking like Jesus appeared at the back of the Market Place.

The second Abingdon Passion Play will be performed on Sunday 13 March 2016 and there will be two performances at 11am and 3pm on the Market Place. Running time is about 90 minutes. Some of the cast were out and about on Saturday handing out fliers.

As a result there will be a road closure in front of the County Hall Museum.

The first Abingdon Passion Play in 2013 took place in the Abbey Meadows, and the Guildhall. Here is a video made from stills and movies done on this blog at the time: