One of the congregation was invited to light the first candle on the advent crown this morning,
then everybody was invited to bring a candle up to the altar.
In a change from previous years the twelve foot Christmas Tree is artificial, and came in five sections that were slotted together and then the branches bushed out. The tree is covered with many small lights and has a bright star on top.
We are now waiting for the true light to appear.
The day that began with rain was drying off by the time the Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza Parade, led by the Oxford Caledonian Pipes Band, marched round Abingdon town centre. The person the children wanted to see (as you can hear in this video above) was … ‘Santa! Santa!’ .
At St Nicolas Church throughout the day, there was music and stalls, and then from 4 p.m. Tom and Jerry cartoons at the high alter with popcorn.
Outside St Ethelwold’s House, Oxfam has their own grotto with a backdrop of projects they support, and a lucky dip with Santa’s sleigh and reindeer. Inside they also had lots of stalls.
On the Market Place, after the parade, there was a lot going on and lots of stalls.
On Bath Street there were lots of stalls including the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary,
and a performance area featuring The Ox, dated 1700, that leads the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.
Performances also took place on the Market Place. The group pictured above are from Abingdon and Witney College who are putting on a pantomime.
During the day people visited businesses in town. The event is organised by volunteers from Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, and so hopefully their members saw some benefit.
Later on in the day there was something that looked like snow spraying out of the upstairs window at Beacon and Beacon.
Then a young lady who had won the shop window competition pushed a big red button,
and the fireworks started, instantly. Thankyou to Julian for sending me this picture.
Not all the lights came on instantly but there were people working on them throughout the day so it was best endeavours.
This evening, the Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Margaret Crick, hosted a quiz, in the Roysse Room, to raise funds for the over 70’s Christmas Party.
The Mayor’s Christmas Party is free for people over 70 who live in Abingdon. Tickets have been available since the 16th November 2018. There could be some left.
The Roysse Room itself was looking very smart after the recent refurbishment, with the new doors, and the new landscaping and lights outside.
The Christmas Extravaganza will be in Abingdon town centre on Saturday December 1st and can be seen advertised around town.
There will be Free Parking in civic car parks.
Father Christmas will park his sleigh on the Market Place after the parade.
The running order for the extravaganza and fringe events …
Market Place
11:00 Strawberry Fayre Majorettes
12:00 Parade
12:30 Oxford Caledonian Pipe and Drum band
13:00 Long Furlong School
13:30 Stagecoach
14:00 Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers
14:30 Abingdon Community Choir
15:00 Rock Choir
15:30 Abingdon and Witney College
16:00 Abingdon Dance School
16:30 One, Three, One
17:00 The Undercovers
17:45 Presentations
18:00 Lights on Followed by Fireworks
Bath Street
09:00 – 16:00 Christmas Street market
10:00 – 12:30 Abingdon Concert Band
12:30 Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers
13:00 Abingdon Dance Studio
13:30 Rock Choir
14:00 Long Furlong School
14:30 Stagecoach
15:00 Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers
Community Free Space, Bury Street
09:00 – 16:00 Christmas Crafts and Activities
13:00 Punch and Judy
14:00 Punch and Judy
15:00 Punch and Judy
St Nicolas Church
10:00 – 6:00pm
Sale in St Nicolas Church
Food and drink is available
Mini concerts through the day
Cartoon films for young children from 4:00 pm with mulled wine for parents
Kempster Room, Abingdon County Hall Museum basement
10am-12.30pm, and 1-3pm
Christmas Crafts (by donation)
St Ethelwold’s House
10:00 – 16:00 – Oxfam Christmas Store
35 Ock Street
10:00 – 14:00 – Mini Christmas Fayre