For the last week the ex-Superdrug-Store has had an exhibition that featured a film made in 1919, of the Abingdon homecoming, when huge crowds welcomed the soldiers and sailors home.

Boards have helped us understand a bit more about what it was like in 1919. The sea of hats is one point of note. On Saturday 21st the film will be shown at 11:00 am at the Abbey Cinema together with a short documentary examining the film. Then at noon there will be a parade with people in period costume, led by the Abbey Brass Band, marching along Bury Street to the Market Place.

It is part of Heritage Open Days. There will also be open properties to look round for free.

In the Roysse Room the Abingdon Flower Club presents a 60th Anniversary Flower Festival – Fashion in Flowers.

Back at the ex-Superdrug Store, the Abingdon Branch model railway can be seen.

The full list of open properties and events is at https://www.abingdonheritage.org.uk/.

I should add that the Merchants House in East St Helen Street is only open on Saturday ( not Saturday and Sunday ).

And if you have time alongside all the heritage activities there are plenty of shops in the town centre, and a litter pick starting at the lock from 10 am.

There is a folly in the grounds of the Abingdon Children and Family Centre at the Net off Stratton Way.

With the ivy cut back it can be seen from near the Stratton Way bus stops. When the Net was a youth centre the general public often went in for events put on by young people, and the stone cave, beside the modern red brick building, was an anomaly.

The folly entrance has a metal gate to stop anybody going inside. It looks like a hermit’s cell but I am told that it was built as a Victorian folly in the garden of Stratton House – now the other side of Stratton Way.