Showing posts with label Abingdon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abingdon. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Abingdon Bun Throwing - a year ago today

To mark the royal occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort my home town of Abingdon-on-Thames held a bun throwing event in the Market Place on Sunday 7th May 2023.


Abingdon Bun Throwing in 2023
The crowd waiting for the buns to rain down

Abingdon holds bun throwing events to mark, mostly, special royal occasions. The events see local dignitaries ascend the steps of the old County Hall where they launch currant buns to the hoi polloi below.


The event began as a bread dole and evolved into a rooftop throwing event and its current incarnation. On this occasion a total of 5,000 buns were thrown to the crowd in the market place.

Abingdon Bun Throwing in 2023
With the one bun I got last time

The bun throw for the Coronation of King Charles III was the 37th bun throwing in Abingdon since 1761. It was the 17th bun throwing held in my lifetime - I've attended all of them since 1981.

A list of bun throwing events from 1761 to 2023
A list of bun throwing events from 1761 to 2023

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Videos from Abingdon Bun Throwing for the Coronation of King Charles III

Videos from King Charles III's royal bun throwing event in Abingdon.


King Charles III's royal bun throwing event in Abingdon
King Charles III's royal bun throwing event in Abingdon

To mark the royal occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort my home town of Abingdon-on-Thames held a bun throwing event in the Market Place on Sunday 7th May.

Abingdon holds bun throwing events to mark, mostly, special royal occasions.

The events see local dignitaries ascend the steps of the old County Hall where they launch currant buns to the hoi polloi below.

The event began as a bread dole and evolved into a rooftop throwing event and its current incarnation. On this occasion a total of 5,000 buns were thrown to the crowd in the market place.



You can read more and see photos of this bun throw here.

Monday, May 08, 2023

Bun Throwing in Abingdon-on-Thames for King Charles III's Coronation

A report from King Charles III's royal bun throwing event in Abingdon-on-Thames.


Bun Throwing in Abingdon-on-Thames


Bun Throwing in Abingdon-on-Thames

To mark the royal occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort my home town of Abingdon-on-Thames held a bun throwing event in the Market Place on Sunday 7th May.

Bun Throwing in Abingdon-on-Thames

Abingdon holds bun throwing event to mark, mostly, special royal occasions. The bun throw for the Coronation of King Charles III was the 37th bun throwing in Abingdon since 1761. It was the 17th bun throwing held in my lifetime - I've attended all of them since 1981.

Bun Throwing in Abingdon-on-Thames
I managed to grab one currant bun on this occasion

Friday, March 24, 2023

Abingdon Bun Throwing for the Coronation of King Charles III

Details of the bun throwing to mark the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.


The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May 2023.

To mark the royal occasion my home town of Abingdon-on-Thames will be holding a bun throwing event in the Market Place at 4pm on Sunday 7th May.


Platinum Jubilee Bun Throwing in Abingdon, 2022
Platinum Jubilee Bun Throwing in Abingdon, 2022

The bun throw for the Coronation of King Charles III will be the 37th Bun Throwing in Abingdon since 1761. The town holds the event to mark, mostly, special royal occasions.

Currant buns from the bun throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion
Currant buns from the bun throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion

It'll be the 17th bun throwing held in my lifetime.



You can find out more about Abingdon Bun Throwing events on my other blog - the World of Bun Throwing.

Wednesday, September 07, 2022

Crazy Golf at Millets Farm in Frilford near Abingdon

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Millets Farm in Frilford near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.


Crazy Golf at Millets Farm in Frilford near Abingdon

My mum sent me some photos of the Crazy Golf course at Millets Farm in Frilford.

Crazy Golf at Millets Farm in Frilford near Abingdon

Crazy Golf at Millets Farm in Frilford near Abingdon

A new 18-hole Adventure Golf course has opened at Millets Farm Centre and there are signs up for the farm-themed layout in the local area.

A sign for the new Farmyard Golf course at Millets Farm Centre

A sign for the new Farmyard Golf course at Millets Farm Centre

I grew up in Abingdon and visited Millets Farm a lot in the 80s and 90s. It's good to know the Crazy Golf course is still there. They'll be two more courses to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Check out the Millets Farm website for more information.

Friday, June 03, 2022

Abingdon Bun Throwing - Sunday 5th June 2022

The next Bun Throwing event will be held in Abingdon to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 5th June 2022.


The first bun is due to be thrown from the top of the old county hall at 5pm.

There will be entertainment from a band and the town's Morris Dancers from 4pm.

The last bun throwing held in the town to date was in 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. That bun throwing was the 35th event since 1761.


Currant buns from the Bun Throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion
Currant buns from the bun throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion 

This will be the 16th Bun Throwing event in my lifetime. I've been to them all so far.


Visit the Abingdon Town Council website for more information on the jubilee events.

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Abingdon Bun Throwing 2022

There is just one week to go until the Bun Throwing to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.


The next Bun Throwing event will be held in Abingdon to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 5th June 2022.


Currant buns from the Bun Throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion
Currant buns from the bun throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion 

The last bun throwing held in the town to date was in 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. That bun throwing was the 35th event since 1761.

The tradition sees the mayor and other dignitaries climb to the top of the old County Hall to throw hundreds or thousands of currant buns down to the townsfolk gathered in the market place below.

This will be the 16th Bun Throwing event in my lifetime. I've been to them all so far.


Visit the Abingdon Town Council website for more information on the jubilee events.

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Adventure Golf at Millets Farm

A new Adventure Golf course is being created at Millets Farm in Oxfordshire.


A new Adventure Golf course is being created at Millets Farm in Oxfordshire

A new 18-hole Adventure Golf course is opening at Millets Farm Centre in Frilford, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire this summer.

Check out the Millets Farm website for more information.


I grew up in Abingdon and visited Millets Farm a lot in the 80s and 90s. It'll be fun to return and have a game on the new farm-themed course.

It'll be another new layout for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


Sunday, February 13, 2022

Abingdon Bun Throwing to be held on Sunday 5th June 2022

There will be a Bun Throwing to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year.


Abingdon Town Council has announced that a Bun Throwing event will be held in the town to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 5th June 2022.


Currant buns from the Bun Throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion
Currant buns from the bun throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion 

The last bun throwing held in the town to date was in 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. That bun throwing was the 35th event since 1761.

The tradition sees the mayor and other dignitaries climb to the top of the old County Hall to throw hundreds or thousands of currant buns down to the townsfolk gathered in the market place below.


Visit the Abingdon Town Council website for more information on the jubilee events.

Friday, June 25, 2021

Abingdon bun throwing in the news

It was nice to hear that bun throwing was featured in the Abingdon Herald and Oxford Mail this week with a look at the town's bizarre and ancient tradition.


It was fun that a photo of me throwing a bun at the Royal Bun Throwing Championships in 2012 was included in the piece too! You can see the article on the Abingdon Herald and Oxford Mail websites.

Throwing a currant bun at the World Bun Throwing Championships at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club
Throwing a currant bun at the World Bun Throwing Championships at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club

The last bun throwing held in Abingdon-on-Thames was in November 2018 to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.


That bun throwing was the 35th event to take place since 1761.

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Former Blockbuster Video stores

A look at some lost Blockbuster Video stores.


Blockbuster Video Express in Billingham, Teesside, April 2021

Since first spotting the remains of the former Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 we've been on the lookout for other remnants of the brand. Sometimes we've been lucky and found an old QuikDrop box or piece of signage and on occasion we've been really lucky and seen full shopfronts and branding left inside stores.

However, on some occasions we haven't been as fortunate. That's been the case when visiting Chorley, Telford, Abingdon, Great Moor and Wythenshawe.

Former Blockbuster Video Store - Chorley Retail Park in Chorley, Lancashire (August 2020)


The former Blockbuster at Chorley Retail Park in Chorley, Lancashire
Now a restaurant and takeaway


Former Blockbuster Video Store - Rampart Way, Telford, Shropshire (September 2020)


The former Blockbuster at Rampart Way, Telford, Shropshire (September 2020)
This was a large store


The former Blockbuster at Rampart Way, Telford, Shropshire (September 2020)
The last remnants of Blockbuster in Telford


Former Blockbuster Video Store - Peachcroft, Abingdon, Oxfordshire (November 2020)


The former Blockbuster at Peachcroft, Abingdon, Oxfordshire (November 2020)
This was my local Blockbuster video shop when I was growing up


Former Blockbuster Video Store - Buxton Road, Great Moor, Stockport (March 2021)


The former Blockbuster on Buxton Road, Great Moor, Stockport (March 2021)
At least this former store is still blue and yellow


Former Blockbuster Video Store - Rowlands Way, Wythenshawe, Manchester (April 2021)


The former Blockbuster on Rowlands Way, Wythenshawe, Manchester (April 2021)
Another tile shop

To date we've been to former Blockbuster stores in:

Monday, March 22, 2021

Crazy Golf at Millets Farm near Abingdon

I've found out there's a Crazy Golf course at Millets Farm Centre near my hometown of Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

There's a crazy golf course at Millets Farm Centre near Abingdon

The Crazy Golf course is part of the Maize Maze attraction part of Millets Farm Centre in Frilford, near Abingdon.

I haven't been to Millets Farm for years, but have got lots of great memories of visiting with my family when I was growing up. It was brilliant fun doing Pick Your Own and going on the tractor rides there.

It'll be nice to revisit and have a game on the Crazy Golf course as part of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Visit the Millets Farm Centre website for more information.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Social distancing signs in Abingdon's Market Place

I've been documenting the Covid-19 social distancing signs I've seen during the coronavirus pandemic here and on my Instagram.

The ones in my home town's Market Place are nice and clear. They also include the Abingdon-on-Thames town crest which I think is a nice touch.

Social distancing sign in Abingdon's Market Place

The Market Place is famous as the location for Bun Throwing and the starting point for the Michaelmas Fair. Both events normally see thousands of people pack in or pass through to be a part of the occasions.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

My first bun throwing in Abingdon

A Bun Throwing was held in my home town of Abingdon on this day in 1981. It was the first one I attended.


The curious tradition sees the mayor and other dignitaries climb to the top of the old County Hall to throw hundreds or thousands of currant buns down to the townsfolk gathered in the market place below.

The team at Abingdon Museum posted about the Bun Throwing that took place in Abingdon to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on this day in 1981.


At less than a year old I can't imagine I knew what was going on that first time, nor caught any buns! I probably did scoff some my mum and dad had caught though.

Abingdon County Hall Museum has a collection of buns preserved from bun throwings dating back many years. These are the currant buns from the Bun Throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion
Abingdon County Hall Museum has a collection of buns preserved from bun throwings dating back many years. These are the currant buns from the Bun Throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion

The last bun throwing held in the town to date was in 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. That bun throwing was the 35th event since 1761.


There have been 15 Bun Throwing events in my lifetime.

Check out my World of Bun Throwing blog for more information.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Foxes Afloat - Bun Throwing in Abingdon

The team from the Foxes Afloat narrowboat vlog recently stopped off in my home town of Abingdon where they looked at the tradition of Bun Throwing.


Check out my World of Bun Throwing blog for more information about the tradtion.

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Picture Postcard Magic - Abingdon-on-Thames

Check out my latest guest post on the Picture Postcard Magic blog from Reflections of a Bygone Age. It's about my home town of Abingdon.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

The A-Z of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Together with my brother Christopher we've visited a total of 973 miniature golf courses around the world since September 2006.


A hole on the Crazy Golf course at Ancaster Karting in Grantham, Lincolnshire
A hole on the Crazy Golf course at Ancaster Karting in Grantham, Lincolnshire

Emily and I have been to 948 courses while Christopher has been to 34 on his own branch of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've been to nine of the 34 Christopher's visited.


A for Abingdon


The first minigolf course that Christopher and I ever played was the Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

The Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames
The Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

Sadly that course was closed and removed at the end of the 2016 season.

Z for Zeltingen-Rachtig


In 2018 Christopher visited a number of courses during a cycling trip in the Mosel Valley, Germany. One of those was the Beton Minigolf course in Zeltingen-Rachtig.

The Beton / Concrete Minigolf course in Zeltingen-Rachtig, Germany
The Beton / Concrete Minigolf course in Zeltingen-Rachtig, Germany

Together we've visited minigolf courses in 18 overseas countries:

  1. Australia
  2. Austria
  3. Belgium
  4. Croatia
  5. Finland
  6. France
  7. Hong Kong
  8. Indonesia
  9. Italy
  10. Luxembourg
  11. Netherlands
  12. New Zealand
  13. Poland
  14. Singapore
  15. Spain
  16. Sweden
  17. Turkey
  18. USA


Within the British Isles we've been to courses in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic we were closing in on visiting the final 40 courses of the original 600 we set out to play in 2006.

Check out our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour page for the list of, and links to, all of the courses visited on our travels.

Crazy Golf at Ancaster Karting in Grantham, Lincolnshire

Do let us know if there's a minigolf course out there that you think we should play once the world is again open for business.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

The World Bun Throwing Championships

A look back at the World Bun Throwing Championships held in Abingdon-on-Thames in 2012.


My home town has a very quirky tradition called bun throwing.


Townsfolk gather in the market place and attempt to catch currant buns thrown by the Mayor and other dignitaries from the top of the old County Hall.


The event dates back to 1761 when a bread dole / bun throw was held in the town to celebrate the coronation of King George III.

Since that first event there have been a further 34 bun throwings in the town. I've attended all of the bun throwings held in my lifetime.

In April 2012 the inaugural World Bun Throwing Championships were held to find the town's best bun throwers who would be invited to become bun throwers on the big day.

Throwing a currant bun at the World Bun Throwing Championships at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club on the 14th April 2012
Throwing a currant bun at the World Bun Throwing Championships at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club

I was the second person from the town to step-up for a throw and had selected four fine currant buns for my attempt at the title. After a couple of throws between the 18 and 21 metre marks I hit a personal best of 25m 10cm to set (and temporarily hold) the new World Record and clubhouse lead. In the event report on the excellent Abingdon Blog, it's noted that the World Record was broken a number of times in this inaugural event!

I wonder when it will be possible to hold another bun throwing event?


As a mass gathering and celebration event it'd be nice to think a bun throwing could be held to mark the safe ending of the coronavirus pandemic once a vaccine is created, distributed and working.


Visit my World of Bun Throwing blog for more information.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Lost minigolf courses - Abingdon Crazy Golf

A look back at the old Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames.


Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

One of the courses we've visited and played on our travels but has since become a 'lost' course was the 10-hole Crazy Golf layout at the Abbey Meadows in my home town of Abingdon.


Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

The course was the first one I ever played way back in the early 1980's.


Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

The course had been in the park since the 1950's but was removed at the end of the 2016 season as part of renovations to the area.

Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

It's always sad to see an old miniature golf course removed. Especially so when it's not even replaced by a new one.

Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames
The last hole of the first course I ever played

In August 2007 the course became the 31st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames
Playing hole 5 in 2007

Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames
Playing hole 5 in 2012

Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames
Playing hole 5 for the very last time in 2016


We also revisited in June 2012 and December 2014.

Crazy Golf at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames
The course was very mossy in 2014