The Christmas lights were turned on by Nicola Blackwood MP, seen here being driven down Stert Street in an old MG – following the Abingdon Sea Cadets (separate pictures of them in a day or two with a separate story).
The theme of the evening was Kings and Queens. Abingdon’s 2nd newest shop, Utopia, looked the part.
Mark from Mostly Books was King of Books, a couple of doors up.
The town crier was out and about letting everybody know what was happening. Here he is at Skinny Hippo.
There were lots of entertainers this year.
Clubs and societies were also taking part. There was even a chance to take penalties behind Poundland.
In St Nic’s Church there were displays from different community groups connected with the Church in Abingdon.
A great charity fund raiser from the Co-op is seen here giving out Fairtrade chocolate at the Fairtrade stall. Next to him is Mike Moon, who helped Paul Townsend at the Chamber of Commerce organise a lot of this extravaganza evening.
It ended with awards for best costumes, best shop front, and best of about 100 entries for Find the Fairy, and then fireworks. Huge crowds were in town.
P.S
Father Christmas was also there and will soon be visiting most areas in Abingdon, thanks to the Abingdon Lions.
I must have been standing within a couple of feet of you when you took the photo of our MP in the MG. It was a great evening.
Yes – great evening – well done to the Chamber of Commerce and everyone involved in organising it.
Shame the town’s Mayor wasn’t there.
Is it true that this was because he wanted an early night before jetting off on holiday today?
This was a really great evening, a big thankyou to everyone that helped to organise it and also to everyone that came out & showed their support for Abingdon – roll on next year!
The kind weather brought out the crowds. |great atmosphere in town. Duncan Brown, the former mayor, did a great job as Master of Ceremonies. Good to see so many shops open and entering into the spirit of things.
KAt P: I think you may be wrong about the town’s mayor. Although i did not see him myself I noticed this in the Abingdon Herald’s coverage of the evening:
“Ms Blackwood, pictured, was joined by the Mayor of Abingdon Mike Badcock, councillors and Abingdon Chamber of Commerce. ”
So presumably the Herald reporter saw him.
It looked like the Deputy Mayor to me!
Disappointed that the Lions Club Father Christmas didn’t feature – always a busy man during the Extravaganza evening!
@david The Deputy Mayor was there with the MP, but it was one of the Tory councillors who told me the Mayor was off on his hols.
Hi Steve, Apologies. Father Christmas was there and I did see him but I did not get close enough for a decent picture so have added one as a P.S. It is the best I have. I hope to get a better one of him with his reindeer next Saturday
@KatP. Ah. My mistake. Serves me right for believing everything I read in the Herald.
I am sure the deputy mayor did a good job standing in for the mayor.
Duncan was the star though!
Thanks for adding in the Lions Father Christmas Sleigh. He starts his tour round the Abingdon streets on Wednesday 7th on Radley Green. Children welcome!
Duncan was crap. He’s no longer Mayor, why doesn’t he just sod off?
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