Today, on the Abingdon Market Place, Abingdon and District Twin Towns Society (ADTTS ) had a stall with a lot of information about one of our twins – the beautiful city of Lucca – in Tuscany, Central Italy.

There was also ‘Italia in Piazza’ – an Italian Food Market, with pasta, bread, cheese, hams, olives etc.

There was an opera singer singing Arias (thanks to Steve for this picture. Steve was on the Friends of Radley Lakes stall who were also there with a Tombola and sale).

Elsewhere in Abingdon there are already many Italian influences, especially food outlets. The Ask Italian Food restaurant is situated in a building that could fit into an Italian Piazza – surrounded by Olive Trees.

The Abingdon Local Excellence Market was This Saturday. They had a lot of well placed signs all around town letting people know.

Abingdon town centre was busy this morning, and the Market was doing well. It had 26 stalls.

Also active at the Market were local people from an internet ‘people power’ movement called 38 Degrees. 38 Degrees is the angle at which an avalanche happens.

They were trying to make people aware of TTIP – The Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership. It’s a trade agreement between Europe and America which they fear could put the profits of big businesses ahead of environment, healthcare, and the UK minimum wage.

In the Community Shop (on the corner opposite Poundland) today and tomorrow (Sat 16th Aug) there is the chance for students who have just received their A Level and As Level results (great Abingdon successes here) to investigate apprenticeship as an alternative to university – or anybody else who is interested.

The Farmers Market was also in town today, and Tommy the Tractor was driving down Bury Street to let younger consumers know.

The Country Market are still going strong at the Farmers Market, and very popular, even though they had to give up the Market at the Roysse Room.