The days have been growing shorter and the nights growing longer.
The lights that a lot of house owners put out at Christmas brighten what could be a depressing time of year.
Such winter celebrations are supposed to have their origin in pagan festivals, decking the halls with bows of holly etc. …
There are three months until the spring. So not a bad thing to have a good time and find new hope for the year ahead, whatever your beliefs.
The new deli has been open for about three weeks now. They do fresh baked breads and pies, other meats, and a variety of interesting products from Bulgaria in the back room. They look to be doing well and are a welcome addition to the High Street and another shop unique to Abingdon.
Abingdon Mummers performed the local version of the traditional Mummers Play this evening.
The actors came clothed in costumes covered with strips of newspaper.
Father Christmas entered first into the pub to announce the other players. Next through the pub door came a proud King George who is challenged and then slain by Bold Slasher.
The Doctor is then called and through some magic and an injection up the backside manages to resuscitate King George.
Another sword fight ensues and this time Slasher is slain.
Next on the scene is the red cheeked Mrs. Finney who uses an flashing electronic umbrella, up the posterior, to resuscitate Bold Slasher.
Finally, the mummers danced around and wished us a Merry Christmas in traditional style with “We wish you a Merry Christmas”.
Father Christmas then came round with his collection box. Money raised goes to the Breakaway Club – a worthy cause who provide transport for people in Abingdon who otherwise might not get out.
On Stert Street some of the buildings are being worked on. A sign outside says ‘Open as Usual.’
Underneath the scaffolding, Finishing Touch was open this Sunday, as were a lot of other Abingdon shops – just over a week to go to Christmas.
In the Abbey Shopping Centre the shops are used to being ‘Open As Usual’ having had scaffolding up and work underway most of the year.
Not much of that scaffolding now remains and the reshaped buildings are now visible both sides.
We are still waiting with interest to see what new names may come to Abingdon in the coming months.