People from the local community were made very welcome to the fun day for the families serving at Dalton Barracks. The Military Wives were performing when I got there – near the end of the fun day part of the event. An evening of music followed – like fun in the parks and music in the parks in Abngdon.

The Oxfordshire Coordinator for Help For Heroes said his next big fund raising event, Ox-Fest, is also musical – a 3 day family festival of tribute bands. Including the likes of Abba, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Elvis …

It was a beautiful clear day and the fun day ended with parachutes. As their aircraft circled over Dalton Barracks, parachutists jumped and had to free fall for about 10 seconds. Once the parachutes opened we could see trails of coloured smoke looping round, intertwining. Then one after another the six parachutists came in from the same direction to land as near as possible to the yellow cross.

There was also a presentation at the end of the day, by those same parachutists, to the Abingdon Army Cadets – for being team of the day.

The Local Excellence Market had a lot of stalls including a wood turner running a simple lathe with a foot pedal and string.

The Market seemed to be doing well, as did the coffee places. Whether all  the town businesses benefit as well I’m not sure

It seems strange that the newly refurbished precinct is still being touched up. The two large new units are still empty six months down the line.

There were two men scraping the moss from the roof of the Old Abbey Buldings. This week in the Unicorn Theatre The Abindon Drama Club has been performing The Accrington Pals.

Bells were ringing for weddings. The Town Crier was in good voice crying from the County Hall roof, and clearly audible down below.

It was a lovely Saturday. Pictures of the Family Day at Dalton Barracks to follow.