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.

Here are a few events happening, or soon to happen, in Abingdon.

The Abingdon & District Musical Society will be holding a choral and orchestral concert in the Yolande Paterson Hall in St Helen’s School on Saturday 16th November. Tickets will be £14 on the door (children £1) or £12 in advance. You can reserve them on-line at the advance sale price by going to www.wegottickets.com. They will also be available at the advance price from Mostly Books, or alternatively from Peter (07979-894-095).

Evita is currently playing at the Amey Theatre at Abingdon School and there is a matinee and evening performance on Saturday 26th October.

Abingdon Craft Fair will be on from 8th-10th November at the Abbey Buildings.

There is an Abingdon Artists exhibition from Tuesday 29th October to Saturday 2nd November in Christchurch Barn, Northcourt.

The Oxford Waites have a concert at the Unicorn Theatre on Friday 15th November.

At St Michael’s Church on Saturday 26th October is an Autumn Fair from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. There is also the Poppy Festival on the Market Place.

On Sunday morning motor cycles will meet at RAF Benson from 9am before riding to Abingdon Airfield at midday. I am not sure what time they are coming through Abingdon. (Clocks go back on Saturday night.)

This evening Mr Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris Dancers met at the Royal British Legion for the start of winter practises. New members are welcome and by starting now there is the good chance to learn the traditional Abingdon steps before the season starts in earnest in April or May of 2020. 8pm every Monday. Women and men are welcome.

Earlier in the day the Runaway Fair was running. Pre-school children enjoyed the rides during the day. There followed a lot of rain and so the fair was tidied away earlier than in previous years.

It did produce the once in a year experience of buses having to negotiate the tight bend and parked cars and funeral bollards between East and West St Helen Street.