St Michael’s Church was open today, with Union Jack bunting outside, for the annual Christmas Fair. The nave, aisles and church hall were filled with a mix of stalls: bric-a-brac and books,

alongside arts and crafts, raffles and have a go stalls, homemade cakes, and refreshments.

Sunlight through the south transept window lit the area where visitors gathered to chat over coffee.

The handbell ringers performed Christmas Carols near the altar.

The craft table was busy with children and adults making Christmas decorations. They included a lady with a “Fleece Navidad” jumper – a woolly pun on Feliz Navidad.

No Father Paul this year, but the fair still had a warm community feel with mulled wine and bacon butties. It was the first Christmas Fair of the season in Abingdon, beating the rush.