There was a man in town today with a large St George cross on his front. He complained that Abingdon had no St George flag flying above the civic buildings, on England’s special day. There were some flying outside a couple of the pubs, and a house in Saxton Road had two flags. Anyway, the man cheered up when he heard there was a parade.

It was a very impressive parade. I would estimate there were thirty different troops of scouts, guides, cub, brownies, sea-scouts and air cadets. The marched round Abbey Close from the Cattle Market Car Park to the Guildhall where they saluted the Mayor and the Chair of the Vale.

My son was in Oxford, and told me that a parade of Oxford scouts coming over Magdelene bridge were stopped by the police and after arguments sent back.