Boxing Day MG Gathering on Abingdon Market Place

Boxing Day MGs
There are black and white pictures of the Old Berks Hunt setting out from the Market Place on Boxing Day in years gone by. These years there is a gathering of MGs on Abingdon Market Place on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day MGs
In 2015, MGs started arriving at about 9:30, and the last one came in just after 11:00am.
Boxing Day MGs
I counted over 40 at one point but there were others that came and went after that. Costa were doing a good trade, and the Sales had started at the clothes shops like M&Co and Fat Face.
Boxing Day MGs
Many people and dogs had come to look at the Mgs. This is Morris a one year old Basset Griffon Vendeen.
Boxing Day MGs
Some of the cars were going on a Boxing Day Drive, ending at The Prince of Wales pub in Shippon, and drivers are seen here being given instructions of the route.
Boxing Day MGs
Others came to socialise with other MG owners.

12 thoughts on “Boxing Day MG Gathering on Abingdon Market Place

  1. John Watson

    When always get a good display of MGs in Abingdon. I was talking to a man who was wearing his fathers MG long service watch. Happy New Year to all.

    Reply
  2. Mr Smith

    Very happy to see that a new tradition pertinent to Abingdon has become established and makes good (non commercial) use of the market place on this day.
    Not sure when the OBH last set off from here, but they’d have a long way to trot now to leave the town.
    Looking at the photos makes me think the market place would benefit from a focal point. How about rescuing Victoria from her flower bed and putting her back where she belongs?

    Reply
  3. Mr Smith

    Thanks Iain, not surprised, she is 194 after all. Was there no chance to apply a bit of cosmetic surgery and give her foundation a re-vamp?

    Reply
  4. Janet

    I remember the old MG factory. The workers had a social club and extensive sports grounds. Unfortunately the British industries which bound the community together have all gone. We have nothing to be proud of as being British any more.

    Reply
  5. Iain

    what a sweeping generalisation – we’re incredibly lucky to live in this beautiful, tolerent country – whilst nowhere is perfect i’m very proud to be british.

    Reply
  6. Hester

    Hear hear Iain.

    While it is indeed sad (in some ways) that we don’t have the old-style manufacturing industries any more, Britain leads the world in some of the newer hi-tech industries – and in other fields – as was so beautifully shown by the Olympic 2012 opening ceremony – and our own area is at the heart of that.

    Our country is by no means perfect, but there are plenty worse and I too am proud to be British.

    Reply
  7. Spike S

    There was also the daily end-of-shift swarm of pushbikes that came out of the Morris and Pressed Steel works at Cowley. I made the mistake of being in that area once when the Phalanx of 12-abreast swept out of the gates.

    I also fondly remember that distinctive smell of hot new exhausts roaring past as the new cars were test driven along the road around Abingdon Airfield while I cycled along that concrete track to a holiday job. I determined then to get one as soon as I could earn enough.

    As I approach my Three Score and Ten, I remain grateful to the MG Car Club where I was introduced to the concept of defensive driving. Good to see their regular appearance in the Market Square. I wonder where my MGCGT is now ?

    Reply
  8. Daniel

    …I think it’s reasonable to say that many Great British industries bound communities together. And no one would surely argue that those industries are now gone – Kellingley Colliery being the most recent.

    Other industries have taken their place, in some quarters; but do those bind our communities?

    Likewise, is being ‘proud’ subjective?

    Reply
  9. Janet

    Yes I travel to the north and have recently been to the Colliery district of Nottinghamshire. Thoresby Colliery closed last year with the loss of 800 jobs. Many other collieries operated in the area. Clipstone, Bilsthorpe etc. Despite the Government going on about the Northern Powerhouse, no industry has moved into the area to compensate. The area is in a sorry state with unemployment. This used to be a proud community with minors welfare clubs and the chance for working people to provide for their families. Even the gangs of agricultural laborers have now been taken over by Eastern Europeans. We have now seen the disappearance or our steel industry with the same destruction of the community and high unemployment. Having been to London also one gets the impression that only the financial industry and banking have any interest for the Government.

    Reply
  10. Captainkaos2

    Well said Janet, long live the working classes ! On another note I’ve just gone past the Old Gaol and nearly fell off my bike reading the “Unit 1 Now Let” sign on one of the restaurants ! Whoopy dhoooo !

    Reply

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