The Remembrance Sunday commemorations are always an important event for our town, but especially so with this year marking a century since the start of the First World War.

Abingdon Town Band led dignitaries from the Guildhall for a Service of Remembrance and Reconciliation at St Helen’s Church at 10.00 am. There were guests from our twin town Lucca at the service, and one lesson was also read in Italian.

That was followed by a Remembrance Service at the war memorial. People began to arrive soon after 10.00 around the outside of The Square, leaving room for the uniformed organisations and dignitaries.

During this service Colonel Jon Asbee from Dalton Barracks read the exhortation …“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old…”

A bugler sounded the last post. There followed two minutes silence (to remember the fallen) at 11.00.

Then people sang “O God our help in ages past” during the laying of the wreaths. Not many veterans remain now from the 2nd World War.

In Italy, soldiers who died for the nation are remembered on 4th November, or the nearest Sunday, when the ceasefire that followed the Armistice of Villa Giusti in 1918 began. A lady from our twin town Lucca laid one of the many wreaths here in Abingdon.

The Minister then  said “Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service:”

“Will you strive for all that makes for peace?” People responded “We will.”

“Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?” People responded “We will.”

“Will you work for a just future for all humanity?” People responded “We will.”

After the singing of the National Anthem, the crowds cheered the parade of uniformed organisations. The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Angela Lawrence,  and the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, Nicola Blackwood, were among those taking the salute.

Wreaths are there to view for a few weeks more at the war memorial in Abingdon, if you can’t get to the sea of poppies round the Tower of London.

From banners seen around town there appear to be two big firework displays in the Abingdon area – to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

Last night there were fireworks at Dalton Barracks. It was put on by the army for army families and the local community, with a charity collection at the gate. The fairground attractions looked excellent.

The bonfire was a blazing success,

and the fireworks were amazing.

The second display, put on by the 2nd Abingdon Scouts, is on Saturday 8th November at the back of Long Furlong Community Centre. Gates open at 18:30. Free parking at Tilsley Park. Advance Tickets available from Newbury Building Society, and on the day on site. Family (2 adults, max 3 children aged 3 to 16 years) Advance £12.00: After 16:00 on the day £15.00. Single Advance £4.00: After 16:00 on the day £5.00.

In Abingdon’s finest building, the Abingdon County Hall museum, there was a special Halloween treat from 7-9pm this evening.

Pumpkin Heads were placed on up lights on the pavements outside.

A new museum attendant stood there to frighten unsuspecting visitors.

The Spooky Music Horn group played Harry Potter Scores, and Phantom of the Opera in the sessions gallery.

There were also night time roof views of the town at the first Halloween Opening of the Museum.

A team of volunteers, staff and customers, have been “virtually” cycling the 100 miles from Cambridge to Oxford – two major research centres, to raise money for Cancer Research UK, using a static bike in the window of the shop in Bury Street, Abingdon from 9am – 4.00pm.

There were outlines of Cambridge and Oxford on the shop window and a “You are here” indicator to show progress between.

Also in town this morning the Alzheimer’s Society Xmas Sale was in the Roysse Room, with jumble, Christmas decorations, and refreshments. It was not such a big event as previous years.

Abingdon Artists had their autumn exhibition in St Nics. As well as the members’ exhibits there was a chance to judge your favorite picture, and enter a raffle for the prize picture, a copy of a Van Gogh that one of the members had painted.

This is the first week of the ACF Crafts for Christmas Show at the Old Abbey Buildings, now into the 43rd year, and also open tomorrow and next week.