There was an Abingdon Local Excellence Market in Abingdon today. It rained all morning and brightened up for the last hour or two.

Poppies were available. On the Poppy stall could be seen a Veterans Dog. These dogs are trained to support veterans of the armed services to lead a full life.

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council have announced that there will not be the usual Remembrance Day service or parade. Organisations can lay their wreaths at the war memorial from Friday. People can also mark the two minutes silence at 11.00 am on Sunday 8th November from their doorsteps. The Town Council will host a Remembrance presentation on its website. www.abingdon.gov.uk so that people can view the War Memorial from the safety of their own homes.

At the Market were Christmas decorations and gifts.

Since the market, the PM has announced a 2nd lockdown from Thursday until 2nd December. Non-essential shopping will not be allowed during that time. Most Christmas shopping is non-essential. The impact on local businesses dependent on the sales between Halloween and Christmas will be huge. I would expect on line non-essential shopping will continue.

Abingdon Country Market were also there. They told me they had their next Market on 14th November. Food is essential so we will see if they can still go ahead.

I got a pile of books from the library. The library were up to their limit of twenty people but it still felt quite empty. I should think they will be closing during the lockdown, along with the pubs, restaurants, churches, fitness centres and community centres. Schools will remain open this lockdown.