The across-street and lamppost lights in the town centre have changed this year.
Previously they were a mix of colours; the new ones are bluey white and more energy efficient.
The candle lights around the Market Place and curtain lights inside the museum remain unchanged. They are all organised by the town council out of council taxes.
The Bury Street lights are provided by the Bury Street Shopping Centre.
Richard Hawkins, the lock keeper at Abingdon, received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal today at 2pm at the lock. He is one of only 3 Environment Agency staff on the Thames to be nominated for one. The medal was presented by Mark, the manager of the Upper Thames.
The medal was awarded for the lives Richard saved at the weir and lock.
The Come and Sing group came together on Saturday to rehearse from 11am to 3pm with the orchestra and soloists (Tara O’Connor, David Pope and Peter Willis all live in Abingdon).
Then from 5.30pm until 6.45pm performed a mini-concert of the Messiah (Part 1) in St Michael’s Church Park Road.
They will sing Handel’s Messiah parts 2 and 3 on April 15th 2023. This is to get people singing together and to raise funds for the Abingdon Passion Play.
Thanks to Elaine and Joyce for the pictures.
The Oxford Caledonian Pipes & Drums led the Christmas parade around Abingdon from 12:00 and performed in Abingdon Market Place afterwards.
The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were also in the parade at 12, then danced on the Market Place at 2.15 and Bath Street at 3.30. In between whiles some of them were in the Punch Bowl playing tunes.
The Abingdon Mace Bearer, the Mayor, Town Clerk and Town Council were in the parade. The Town Clerk, Mr Nigel Warner, will soon be stepping down after over twenty years in the post. Interviews happened a couple of months ago for a replacement, but I know no more than that.
The Abingdon Lions helped by giving transport to Santa Claus. Before Christmas, they also run the Santa Sleigh around the streets of Abingdon and surrounding villages. For a full schedule see https://www.abingdonlions.org.uk/santa2022.html.
An afternoon of festivities culminated in the lights being turned on and fireworks.
Thank you to Ryan for standing in and taking some pictures.
We booked a family event away for the same weekend.