The Abingdon Mummers have been performing the Sunningwell version of the ancient mummers play in the pubs of central Abingdon this evening.

The play can take from ten to fifteen minutes depending on the audience, and involves among other happenings a sword fight and the death of one character and his resuscitation with the aid of an flashing brolly.

The play ends with the mummers singing ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’.

The collecting box is then taken round to raise money for a local charity – in 2016 that is the Abingdon Breakaway Club.

After the performance all the character drink some of the pub’s best brew before going to the next performance.