Armistice Day ceremonies and St Michael’s Christmas Fair

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Today’s Armistice Day ceremony at the war memorial reminded us of the sacrifices made by those who have served our country. The two-minute silence was preceded by a ring of the Town Crier’s bell and the Pipe Major’s call to Attention.

The St Michael’s Church Christmas Fair was in full flow.

As the clock struck 11:00 am, the chatter and laughter ceased, replaced by quiet. For two minutes, the community paused to remember those who had paid the ultimate price. Not just at the war memorial and St Michael’s but also a notice at Waitrose said the two minutes would be observed.

Afterwards, the fair gradually resumed its lively tempo. The Abingdon Handbell Ringers added a touch of festive spirit to the event.

Armistice Day

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The pupils at Kingfisher School have created a fabulous display for the Royal British Legion Club in Spring Road, Abingdon. (Thanks to Clare for the pictures.)

Most people will remember that Sunday is Remembrance Sunday. Saturday is Armistice Day, and there will be a smaller gathering at the war memorial at 11 pm for a two-minute silence.

World War I officially ended on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 AM, after the signing of the armistice a few hours earlier. From 1919 to 1939, Armistice Day was the main day of remembrance in the UK for those who died in the war. After World War II, the main observance in the United Kingdom moved to Remembrance Sunday, which is held on the second Sunday in November.

In the 1990s(1), Armistice Day was revived after a campaign by the Royal British Legion, and since then a two-minute silence has been observed at 11:00 AM on November 11.

ref 1: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/515640.stm

Old Anchor Inn untied from Greene King

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The Old Anchor, a historic riverside pub in Abingdon, is now available to lease on a free-of-tie basis. This means the new tenant can buy their beer from any supplier, giving them greater flexibility and independence. The details are at https://www.fleurets.com.

The pub closed in May 2023, and in August, the Oxford Mail reported that Greene King had decided to stop managing the Old Anchor as one of their tied pubs.

Early Christmas Lights II

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If you see a house with Christmas lights up on 8th November, the people who live there are probably trying to spread some good cheer and enjoy the season a little longer.

And when Bury Street, has its Christmas Lights on 8th November, it could be that the management company have read the studies that show that Christmas Lights help boost people’s mood. Many small businesses rely on the festive season for a significant portion of their annual revenue, and shopping early can help them.