At the start of the bun throw we saw three different hot air balloons behind St Nic’s Church: an MG balloon, a green and white balloon, and a Union Jack balloon.

Bradley took the pictures used here flying the green yellow and white balloon. Many thanks to him.

They took off from Rye farm meadow with the kind permission of the local authorities, and got some amazing views of the Bun Throwing.
The MG balloon was flown by Peter Woodward,

and the Union Jack balloon (seen at Rye Farm before take off) was piloted by Peter George.

If there is one thing that sets Abingdon apart from the rest of the world it is that we like Throwing Buns on Royal Occasions.

On the Market Place today people started to gather from about 3pm. The crowds just grew and grew and by 6pm the Market Place was already getting full. There was some Morris Dancing, and the National Anthem was played by Abingdon Town Band just before 7pm.

Then people began shouting together ‘We want buns! We want buns!’

At 7pm, Abingdon Town Councillors, Freemen, helpers from the army, and even world champion bun throwers, began throwing currant buns to the populace. They had 4,500 buns specially made by Tesco. There were some normal currant buns,

and others with ’90’ on them.

Bun throwing happens at Abingdon on major Royal, national, and civic events. This bun throwing was to celebrate the 90th birthday of  Queen Elizabeth II.

We love catching buns here in Abingdon.




Happy 90th Birthday from Abingdon!

Earlier this morning, some of the Abingdon town centre shops were getting ready for the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday.

Throwing buns had just started putting up bunting and flags.

Fabulous Flowers had almost completed a fabulous floral arch in red white and blue.

And, after an early start, there was time to sit down for a cup of tea at Sue Ryder. They will be serving cream teas, and putting on entertainment throughout the day, as a fund raiser.

This photograph was taken by H.J. Milligan (Copyright) of Abingdon when there was a Bun Throwing from the roof of Abingdon County Hall in the year ____.

The Abingdon Herald had a picture of the new Mayor of Abingdon for that year. He had baked the 2500 buns himself for he was also a Master Baker. On that occasion the Monarch’s speech for the Royal Occasion was amplified across the Market Place using loud speakers.

Was the year?
1935
1937
1946
1953
1956
1966

In 2016 to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday, at St Nics at 18:00 (on 11th June) there will be a Choral Evensong followed by bells and a traditional bun throwing at 19:00 on the Market Place.

Abingdon Town Council have also organised a Queen’s 90th Birthday Picnic Party Sunday, at the Rugby Club, 12th June, 12:00-16:00pm.

Abingdon Vineyard Church have also got a Queen’s 90th Birthday Party, with children’s activities, on 12th June from 10:30 – 13:00 at Preston Road Community Centre.

There was an over 90s party at Christchurch last weekend.