Councillor Margaret Crick  handed over the chain of office this evening to Councillor Charlie Birks, who became the new Mayor of Abingdon.  The previous deputy Mayor David Pope, who Margaret described as a tower of strength, failed to get re-elected when all the Conservatives lost their seats. So with 11 new councillors, the new town council had a dilemma who should be the next mayor. Charlie has lived in Abingdon since 1974 and seems very personable. So good luck to him.

The new Deputy Mayor is Abingdon’s first Green Party Councillor Cheryl Briggs.

The outgoing Mayor had a lot of praise for the Conservative Councillors who lost their seats. She thanked Mike Badcock for many years of work for the town, and his support for her in her year as Mayor. Another special mention was for Dennis Garrett after all the long hours he put in on the Guldhall project. All of them got mentioned by name.

Councillor Margaret Crick gave outgoing Mayors awards to:
* Penny Clover  for her contribution to life in the town including work on Abingdon Carousel and the Guild of Town Criers
* Helen Flynn for her work with the AbiBinit! initiative
* Sue Hammersley for many years of volunteer work including the opening of the Blue Sky Eco Cafe.

Margaret also gave cheques to her two charities: Abingdon Carousel, and Be Free Young Carers

Councillor Charlie Birks said the new Mayor’s charity is The Abingdon Bridge which supports young people in the town. Revd Charles Miller would be Mayor’s Chaplain. The civic service will be announced. He also announced that Fun and Music in the Park would be on Saturday 1st June, and there would be Abingdon-on-Thames pride celebrations on Saturday 22nd June.

Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers danced before the ceremony. Revd Paul Smith, the outgoing Mayor’s Chaplain, said the opening and closing prayers. Abingdon Town Band played music, including the National Anthem. Councillors then left the stage and people shook hands with the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor and were invited for a drink in the Roysse Room.

The Abbey Sailing Club invited people to join them sailing on the river in Abingdon.

Today was dedicated to new people having a go. More about the Sailing Club can be found at https://abbeysailingclub.btck.co.uk/

Jazz has continued over the weekend both at the Abingdon Jazz Festival and the events at the Roysse Room.

Bands played on the Market Place this Sunday afternoon in the sunshine as a finale.

The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were also in town dancing at the Kngs Head and Bell. They will be back tomorrow for the Mayor Making at the Guildhall.

It was the twentieth year of the Abingdon Air And Country Show.  Near the entrance there was a large RAF Hercules that people were queuing to look round.

I arrived quite early, when some of the 50+ aircraft were still arriving. That was before the flying displays that started at around 1:30 pm.

There were the usual wide array of Classic vehicles and ex-military vehicles.

Abingdon Air Training Corps were one of many organisations with a stall. They are stationed near the airfield at Dalton Barracks.

There were various displays and performances. Hawkwalk – Falconry Oxfordshire had what turned into a longer than expected display. The final bird, a Peregrine Falcon, flew high away from the arena, and then seemed to be set upon by four kites which swirled around it blocking its return. The falcon’s speed was too much for the kites and it eventually came back to swoop for the food, but it was real life nature.

Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were there performing in front of the Oxford Bus Company double deckers.

Their squire, The Mayor of Ock Street, can be seen here afterwards with one of the Military re-enactment groups. He will soon be up for re-election.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Margaret Crick, also toured the show, and got to see behind the scenes, and talk to the pilots and organisers.

I’m afraid my camera, with its standard lens, could not do most of the air display justice. This is the Rich Goodwin Muscle Biplane which did three close passes with a car, before doing some amazing aerial acrobatics.

There was a huge crowd. The sky was cloudy with some blue patches and a little wind and so good for parachuting and flying.

Money will have been raised for Thames Valley Air Ambulance and other good causes. Neil Porter and family and friends have again organised a wonderful day. They are all volunteers and work so hard, despite the stricter and stricter regulations, to put on a show.

The Abingdon Town Crier was letting people know about the St Helen’s Scout jumble sale that was on the Market Place.

He also announced the Abingdon Jazz Festival that starts on Friday in the Abbey Buildings / Unicorn Theatre. Tickets are available at Mostly Books and from Abingdon Jazz Festival

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the Abingdon Air and Country Show.