The Abingdon Air and Country Show was called off in September last year because of the death of the Queen two days before the event. This year there was a full show with a two-hour flying display at the end. The day was fine with blue sky.

The display included among others the Titans Display Team ,

a Bronco,

and Westland Helicopters.

Information about RAF Abingdon was provided in the programme (price £2) and in a tent. Somebody found a lot of booklets called The First Fifty Years of RAF Abingdon and gave them away for free. RAF Abingdon used the airfield until it was transferred to the army in 1992.

As well as the airshow and static aircraft, a young motorcycle display team, with ages ranging from 6 to about 16, rode over ramps and in interweaving patterns.  Musicians played in one marquee, and craft makers displayed artifacts in another marquee. There were lots of stalls, and a fun fair.

WWII re-enactors, including the Oxfordshire Home Guard, guarded their pitches.

Hundreds of classic cars were parked near the display area, and at the other end were lorries, and some small traction engines.

The event, as well as giving lots of people a good day out, supports local charities and good causes. Thankyou to the organisers, and volunteers, for another wonderful show.

A report from Pete.

The giant teddy bear caused quite a few chuckles as it perched in its own chair, waiting to see who would win him at bingo.

Thanks go to the Lewis Baker shop in Bridge Street, Abingdon, who kindly donated the teddy bear. This is an opportunity to remind readers to support our local independent shops that serve the community.

Bingo is every Tuesday at Preston Road Community Centre, Midget Close, next to the Midget pub. Doors open at 7:00pm with eyes down at 8:00pm. All are welcome to come & join in the fun. All funds raised go towards supporting the Community Centre.

The lucky winner was Jane.

On Saturday night, the U.K. hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, the 2022 winners.

In Christ Church Barn, there was a special screening of the song contest for local Ukrainian friends.

Christian Aid week started today. Phil Evans, the regional representative of Christian Aid, was at Abingdon Baptist Church to encourage people to fund raise and challenge injustice in the world.

There will be a Christian Aid stall on Abingdon Market Place Sale on Saturday.

You are unlikely to get a traditional Christian Aid envelope through the door but e-envelopes will be sent out during the week (probably to church members). The Christian Aid website is https://www.christianaid.org.uk/

The Abingdon Passion Play is fund raising for the next production of an Abingdon Passion Play, provisionally planned for June 2024. There will be a ‘come and sing’ of Handel’s Messiah Parts 2 & 3 on Saturday.

Before the bun throw, there was a Coronation Fun in the Park in Abbey Meadow from 10 – 3.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Andy Foulsham, has led two bun throws during his year as mayor, the Platinum Jubilee and the Coronation.

Yellow Submarine was one of the Mayor’s charities this year. They support young people with learning disabilities or autism. They were going to move into the Charter Centre, but a more pressing need for the centre has arisen, possibly the need for more health care space near the town centre surgeries.

There were sporting activities people could try out. Abingdon Hockey Club are there for all ages and all abilities.

I arrived fairly late as inflatables were getting deflated and stalls packed up. But there was still a long queue for the ice cream van, and family and friend groups were enjoying picnics. There were also street parties before and after the bun throw, so if anybody sends any pictures to backstreet60@gmail.com, I can add them here or in a separate post.