Dave Butterworth, and colleagues from Healthy Abingdon, organised the Abingdon Healthfest on Abingdon Market Place. There were thirteen stalls with different community groups. The event was sponsored by Penlon, the Abingdon company that makes lots of important equipment for the health sector.

One of Abingdon’s Guild of Town Criers was there to announce the events. He also did a cry from on top of the County Hall roof.

The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Cllr Cheryl Briggs, spoke to a lot of the stalls.

A fire engine from the Abingdon Fire Station was on display. The fire service were promoting Bikeability (cycle training).

Last weekend I showed Mr. Busby and his Beekeeping business. This week he was there on the Abingdon Free Wheelers cycle stand. They have a calendar of weekly rides for all abilities.

Abingdon Athletics Club has coaching sessions on track and road running. Look at Abingdon Athletic Club to find out more.

Dementia Friendly Abingdon aim to make the town more supportive of people affected by dementia, and their carers.

Other groups included:
* Active Communities
* Abingdon Parkrun
* Community Dental Service
* Leisure / Tennis Centre
* Shed Oxford
* Talking Space Plus were giving out stress balls. If a stress ball is not enough, they also have videos and material to help and can arrange free talking therapies.

There was a Local Excellence Market on the Market Place in Abingdon today. Waterfahl were busking in the sun.

The Market had a lot of stalls, and people were looking around, many with face coverings.

A lot of new rules have been introduced this week as the transmission rate of Coronavirus rises.  Since June there has been an easing of the COVID-19 restrictions and this week saw them being tightened up again as we head into autumn.

Anybody going into Pablos Lounge will have to wear a mask from door to table, and try to order from the table using a phone app, and check in with test and trace.

Shop staff and serving staff are now all wearing face coverings – not just customers.

A NHS COVID-19 app has been released and you can now scan a QR code when going into The Narrows, and many other places, as a record for test and trace.

In pubs there is now only table service with groups of only up to six allowed. Pubs all close at 10 pm.

As schools returned, two classes at John Mason were sent home because of a confirmed case of Covid-19 in their bubble. (A bubble is usually one or two classes or however the school organise bubbles. Pupils do not mix inside school outside their bubble.)

Going back to school has seen the normal autumn coughs and sneezes and they are having a much bigger effect on attendance this year. Students are taking time off to get tested or wait for a family member to be tested. (My understanding is that new coughs, high temperatures, loss of smell and taste are possible symptoms of Covid-19. Sneezes and runny noses are not – yet.)

Yesterday, there were some people on the Market Place in Abingdon asking people to sign a petition against any new lockdown.