Army personnel from Dalton Barracks, near Abingdon, and lots of other uniformed organisations paraded from St Helen’s Church to The War Memorial this morning for the Act of Remembrance.

The Royal British Legion – Abingdon Branch – followed the serving soldiers in leading the act of remembrance. They represent the Armed Forces community that fought in the two World Wars and later conflicts.

Cadet groups stood shoulder to shoulder with the veterans and serving soldiers.

This year the parade arrived with time to spare on a bright sunny Sunday, and so there were three or four minutes of silence before the 11 am act of remembrance. Revd. Charles Miller led the commendation and prayers. The exhortation was read, the last post sounded and then there were two minutes of silence followed by the laying of the wreaths round the war memorial.

Afterwards all the uniformed groups followed Abingdon Town Band in marching past the dignitaries at Abingdon County Hall.

Again the Royal British Legion followed the regular army,

followed by cadets

Then came all the uniformed groups. Here the brownies, and their leaders, salute the four people on the platform: The Queen’s representative in Abingdon, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Felicity Dick; The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Charlie Birks; the town’s Poppy Appeal organiser, Clare; and a senior officer from Dalton Barracks.

Crowds of people, who had been watching, followed on behind the parade. There were a lot of people and lots of young people. Back at the War Memorial people laid their own poppies and crosses at the foot of the war memorial, including young children carrying on a family tradition.

A member of the gurkhas who had served at Dalton Barracks had come to pay his respects at Abingdon.

I asked the Royal British Legion standard bearer to stand for this picture. During the act of remembrance the standards were lowered as the two-minute silence took place to remember those who have died in the violence of war.

As people drove home through Abingdon this evening, some of the vehicles, coming over Abingdon Bridge, brought objects for the craft fair.

The three day Craft Fair is in the Abbey Buildings, and people were unloading their work in preparation

There has been a small display in the Abingdon Free Space as a taster. This is the third year of the craft fair dedicated to local craft in its current format. There has been an autumn craft fair for much longer.

All the details are at http://www.abingdoncraftfair.org.uk/

The Mellstock Band are performing a show called‘Christmas Frolics’ in the Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon on Wednesday 4th December at 7.30. Tickets £15/£12 (students and under 18)  from Mostly books  or davetownsendmusic.com

This will be a celebration of dance, drink and general misbehaviour as carried on at Christmas in many villages until about a hundred years ago, and will include convivial harmony songs, rousing dance music, and Thomas Hardy’s poetry set to local tunes.

Thomas Hardy gave a lot of places new names in his novels. Mellstock is his home village Bockhampton. His characters also ventured to Alfredston (Wantage), Christminster (Oxford), and Lumsdon (Cumnor). What would he have called Abingdon?

5,000 motorcyclists took part in a “ride of respect” in honour PC Andrew Harper. His widow led the ride with her brother on PC Harper’s bike, and can be seen biking over Abingdon Bridge, nearest the camera.

Crowds had gathered on the route through Abingdon from about midday. The first bikes rode through at about 12:30.

Motor Cyclists came from many places. One flew the Flag of Gibraltar.

There were not just motor cycles. At one place in the convoy there were a variety of three wheeled vehicles including a boat.

The Mayor of Abingdon was there with his chain and motorcycle gear to applaud the convoy.

Police Motorcyclists were taking part, helping to marshall the event, and be part of the ride.

People applauded the riders who came through in batches of about 500. The last group through were at about 4 pm. It was amazing and my selection of pictures does not do it justice.

Here is a short video showing riders coming through Abingdon.