Colder

We woke to the first snow of the winter.

Schools broke up for the Christmas break - some children even came home at midday.

It was cold for those on the Farmers Market.

Thanks to John E for these last two pictures. These are the Church in Abingdon Carol Singers. They shocked bystanders by singing "While Shephers Watched Their Flocks" to the original tune - "On Ilkley Moor bar t'at".

Mayor's Chrismas Party For The Over 70s

The event started with a performance by some pupils from Larkmead School.

Tea and food was served about half way through.

The winners of Abingdon's Got Talent then performed, and young Miles Burton even came back to do an extra song when there was a gap in the program.

And it ended with a sing-along-a-carol with music by The Abingdon Concert Band.

Merry Christmas From The Mummers

The story starts in The Punchbowl in Olde Abingdon Town where King George has a fight with a man with a wicked moustache. King George gets killed.

Then the story goes to a number of other pubs before I catch up with it at Ye Olde Anchor Inn.

A Doctor, in a top hat, revives King George... Another battle ensues... This time the man with the wicked moustache gets killed.

It takes a Widow Twanky look-a-like to revive him with a prod up the behind from a flashing Jedi umbrella thing.

Then together they bring us Glad Tidings and take round the charity collecting tin.

Crazy?

A blog just cannot do it justice!

St Nicolas Day

Last Friday was the annual St Nicolas Day celebration at St Nicolas School in Abingdon. The day included a church service and special lunch at school and a visit from St Nicolas himself, who arrived in a horse-drawn carriage attended by children dressed as "peters" - St Nic's mischievous helpers. (Thanks for sending the picture. More pictures from the same event in 2007 are on the School's Website).

Another custom happening here tonight in Abingdon will be the Mummers. A full schedule is here.

Now Closed

Both off licences, that were part of the Thresher group, have now closed. A month ago it looked as if they might be safe but then a second wave of closures were announced.

When I started this blog about four years ago the future of this shop looked uncertain. Unwins went into receivership but then The Thresher Group took them over and rejuvinated the shop.

There are now no shops selling sweets on the way home from Larkmead School for many pupils. There used to be four... two filling stations, West End News, and The Local.

Carols From The Dock

This afternoon at the old magistrate court, beneath the Guildhall, there was a concert by a group of Saxophonists for friends and family - conducted by George Haslam who teaches them. First half was just saxophones, and the second half was carols with the audience singing...

More carols from unusual places still to happen this week include Thursday Evening at COFFEE Aroma, 15 the High Street 6:30 PM and includes Mince Pies (see comments).

Message to The Copenhagen Summit from Abingdon

The Deputy Mayor and Mayor were there together to show their support at the candlelit vigil.

It's for the sake of future generations something has to be done before it is too late.
People read out a proclamation that now was the time to change how we act, as the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen takes place.