Welcome said the chap on the stilts.

Have a ballooon said the chap in Lansborough Estates

And here is to Christmas said Finishing Touch.

There was a parade and this familiar chap was at the back…

On the podium, after the parade, the Mayor, and the master of ceremonies, and Bill Rennells waited for a very important messenger…

A horse came with an important document all the way from Queen Mary herself…

It was the Charter of incorporation for Abingdon. The Mayor said “

Now we can have a Market! (cheers)

Now we can have a Fair! (louder cheers)

But the bad news said the Mayor. We will also have to have a Mayor and Town Council (not too many Boo’s)’

Then it was the turn of Bill Rennells to turn on the lights. “Come on everybody!” He called “… 10…9… Thats not very loud! I’ve heard much louder at Abingdon United Football Club…” And so he started the countdown again “10…9….” and this time everybody joined in.
The Abingdon Mace bearer then showed us something that could even outshine the Christmas Lights. The Greatest Mace for many a long mile…

As there was no official Best Themed shop competition this year, I took pictures of the three shops which had the best costumes. (Apologies to Bath Street which I never even got near should there have been something even better that way.)

It was a Tudor theme. My winner is …
The Nursery Shop in Stert Street

Other worthy entrants were Helen & Douglas House Charity Shop on High Street

and the Book Store in the Precinct.