A lovely sunny Market Day in Abingdon. I did think the black bag sign would disappear from Abingdon Market when the wheelie bins took over, but the black bag sign remains. Perhaps it has a greater significance than just saying that there are black bags for sale.
On the subject of interesting local traditions, I read in the Wikipedia of Abingdon that “some people from families that have lived in the town for generations follow the superstition that in walking under the Abbey Gateway one should hold one’s breath to stop the gargoyles that decorate the gateway from stealing it.“
we used to hold our breath as kids under there – not sure where we heard it.
We always used to hold our breath and hop. A whole class at a time if we were going swimming down the Abbey pool from Carswell. We always believed we would turn into one of the gargoyles if we didnt! I still see kids hopping through there from time to time.
We were always told to hold our breath and not talk to avoid bad luck. I’ve passed this tradition on to my children too
You are allowed to ‘line’ the grey bin with a black bin liner.
‘You are allowed to ‘line’ the grey bin with a black bin liner.’
Is that an Abingdon tradition, Colin?
The bin bag helps you hold your breath and you can use it to hop in like a sack race. Whatever next? You mark my words they’ll be throwing buns off the town hall next! Crazy old town!
This i think is a Green Man; An anti-estalishment figure, about which i think there’s a lot written; interesting they should br found on so many churches- eg Melbourne in Derbys…
I remember that we used to hold our breath and not talk or we would turn into a gargoyle. This was in the 70s/80s.
Wonder where the tradition comes from?
Top Picture Abingdon Market, selling Black Sacks…
It is a new Abingdon tradition. Since we got the different wheelie bins/food waste containers for our own Recycling/Refuse/food waste it is.
Every morning you see Abingdonians sorting their rubbish themselves, correct in the green and the grey…..woe betide anyone who gets it wrong……
Talking about throwing buns seen the latest, the Council are getting lessons from Abingdon Cricket Team, how to “throw” buns so they reach the people at the back of the crowd…..as long as they don’t bowl a Googlie {or should that be A Gargoylee} 😉
Have to say I was at the back last time and only Alistair got a bun anywhere near us – fortunately a few generous souls at the front bunged a few backwards do kids disnt starve 🙂
On the subject of buns…
I’ve been fortunate enough in our short time in Abingdon to have been here for the past 2 bun throws; last year and 2005(?).
I thought I noticed that the first time more buns made it to the back of the square compared to last year and this I thought (once I’d taken into account restricted movement and trajectory impedement due to the scaffolding) was because the buns were “different”.
Last year they seemed “lighter” like a bread roll whereas 2005 they seemed more dense, like a scone/rock cake. The heavier ones making it further and seemingly better to throw…
Did anyone else notice this – or am I imagining things?
They have buns from the last 17 sets of bun throwings in the museum – maybe we should see if a university engineering department is interested in studying the relative aerodynamic of different generations of buns? Adjusting for relative staleness of course 🙂
Would also have to take wind speed and direction into account! In 2010 the wind was definitely against the throwers.
Maybe scaffolding acted as giant wind break
Here’s a thought. Since throwing buns is obviously such a major part of a town councillor’s job, rather than having political parties, why not just line up the people who want to be a town councillor, and the 21 people who can throw a bun the furthest get to be councillors for the coming year? the person who throws furthest of all gets to be mayor.
no more political silliness, and it ought to lower the average age of the council by a couple of decades.
Added bonus: given the comment by Iain above, Backstreeter would be back on the council, as possibly mayor. So natural justice would be served as well.
Maybe the Church can help. Perhaps Abingdon’s buns need a Canon or two to project them to the back ?
I was thinking of one of those cricket bowling machines or maybe a tennis serving machine
Maybe the renovation ought to have included a trebuchet?
The buns in 2005 and last year were from the same source and the same recipe – jsome had a W and C on them (depicting the Royal Wedding). Perhaps these initials slowed them down? Watch out for the bun throwing due this year …….. !!! I’ll make sure some have a ‘Go Faster Stripe’ on to get to the back of the Market Place 🙂 I know that using the cricket bats will smash them to bits before they get a few feet. Tennis racquets are best.
Lacrosse or Pelota hurls ?
Have taught my kids the holding your nose/breath tradition to avoid getting a face like one of the gargoyles… Used to hop through blue faced with Carswell too in the 70s, we must have been a picture….
I remember being told to hop through the gateway too!
I’ve just seen the Oxford Mail piece about the first Royal Bun Throwing Championships and can’t wait to chance my arm in the event!
And I’m really looking forward to the 33rd Royal Bun Throwing for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee too.