Bra bunting decorated the pillars of the County Hall to announce that local charity Against Breast Cancer had taken over the Market Place for their Splash of Pink charity event.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Margaret Crick, was there to support the event and judge the shop windows. She stayed there a good couple of hours despite the rain.

The Abingdon Lions were also there supporting Splash of Pink, and tomorrow the lady next to Pikachu will be abseiling down the JR Hospital to raise money for the children’s ward (Just Giving page Here).

There were lots of lovely cakes on the Splash of Pink cake stall, and the Crown and Thistle were serving bacon butties, and beefburgers which were much needed to keep people warm inside.

For amusement, among other things, you could hurl a foam pie at someone’s face.

There were performances in the rain by Abbey Brass, Mr Hemmings Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, Rock Choir, and Abingdon Operatic. They performed numbers from Top Hat which they perform soon, at the Amey Theatre – including the song ‘Isn’t this a lovely day (to be caught in the rain)’.

Winner of the best pink shop window was Willow’s Shakeshop. Second place went to Masons.

The Sisters of Swing entertained the people gathered at the Abingdon Royal British Legion before the Battle of Britain Classic Car run.

About fifteen cars took part in the drive organised by George Haslam. There were not only a variety of MGs, but also a Rover, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, Morris, Austin,

and a classic Aston Martin, with a hand crank starter, called Betsie.

The plan was to drive from the Royal British Legion, on Spring Road, to the Lodge Hill Garage to see the Spitfire, and then to Bridge House, on Thamesview, for tea and a chance for the residents to view the cars.

This morning in town M&Co had to be closed and cordoned off because the corner of the roof had come adrift, and was looking dangerous. Two fire engines from Abingdon-on-Thames Fire Station were dispatched.

The rescue platform was lifted up to where the guttering was broken off

and then secured to the platform and broken off completely.

Quite a crowd gathered to watch the operation.

Thankyou to Steve for these pictures, and the story….

Richard, the lock keeper, was married yesterday afternoon at St Helens Church.

The Happy Couple left the church by Environment Agency patrol launch for a short trip upstream to the lock.

They were followed by a flotilla of boats, and at the lock friends and relations greeted them with a shower of confetti.

So from this day forward, through high waters and low, in wet weather and sunshine, we wish them all the very best.