French Market

There will be just the one French Market this year according to the Town Council web site.

Last year there were three. Instead there will be a Mamma Mia Italian Market (Friday, 26th - Sunday, 28th June), and a Continental Market (Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th October) later in the year.

Anyway we got some really good cheese called Comte. Not what he is cutting. That is something soft and gooey.

Attracted by the crowds were these folks in bright blue fleeces giving away postcards promoting something. I couldn't tell you what.

Red Nose Day

On Red Nose Day, this year, the slogan was "Do something funny for money"

The Co-op...

Oxfam ... (Shhh from the librarian) ...

and The Stocks Bar, with their pyjama party, all did.

Morris Men's Challenge 2009

The competition was between the Mayor of Ock Street's team, and the Mayor of Abingdon's team. The competition dates back to 1970, when the cup was donated by Sam Jones, the then Mayor of Abingdon. His wife is pictured here with both Mayors.

After a closely fought evening of pub games and a trivial pursuit quiz...

the cup was presented to the winning captain, the Mayor of Ock Street, by the daughter of Sam Jones.

The Mayor of Ock Street is elected by the citizens of Ock Street each year to lead the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. This year's election is on Saturday 13th June. Visit their Website for more information.

An exploratory dig

It looks as though an exploratory dig has begun next to the County Hall museum.

The architect presumably needs to check the lay of the land before drawing up the designs for the proposed lift which would go down to the basement and up to the first floor

(P.S. as commenters have said this is the archaelogical dig before the architect gets a look in)

More Tree Work

At the Albert Park work has begun on a project to trim back some of the trees, particularly the Leylandi.

Those along the left hand side are now gone so this scene passed a few hours ago into Abingdon history.

Chain saws were also out at South Avenue. Very dangerous work.

I did not hang around for a second picture - least I put him off his stroke.

All Sold

Only one builder seems to be doing much work in Abingdon at the moment and they have three developments on the go.

Not too much visible has happened at the Old Gaol. But planning permission went through a few weeks ago, and that includes demolishing the swimming pool directly ahead.

Elsewhere there is work in progress on the Drayton Road development.

As to the flats that have replaced the old ambulance station... According to my Springfield Drive correspondent, they were 'For Sale' one day, and 'All Sold' the next .

Fairtrade Fortnight goes bananas

Here is a rare picture of me on the Market Place dressed as a banana. The Abingdon Fairtrade Group and the Co-op were staging a 'Go Bananas for Fairtrade' event.

Add your own caption to this one. It's beyond me.