Abingdon County Hall Museum

A visit to Abingdon-on-Thames.

In the market place in front of Abingdon's former County Hall

On a recent visit to my old home town of Abingdon-on-Thames I was very pleased to see that the roof of the County Hall Museum is now open to visitors.

Up on the roof

I remember going up on the roof when I was younger, but access wasn't regularly available as it is now.

Looking north. Among the images on the display board is a crowd scene from the 2011 Bun Throwing. It was great to be able to pick us out in the crowd too

It's great to be able to stand on the rooftop, and look down from the spot where the Mayor and dignities gather at Bun Throwing events to throw the currant buns to the townsfolk below.

The County Hall was built by Christopher Kempster between 1678 & 1683. Renovation and repairs of the building were completed in 2012.

Part of the renovation work at the museum has seen a new coffee shop open in the basement of the hall - Buns in the Basement. It's the sister cafe to Throwing Buns, a tearoom next to the county hall.

A miniature version of the county hall - and some buns - next to the stairway down to Buns in the Basement

This was the first time I've been into the depths of the building and it was interesting to see a big working water pump in the basement, along with some history on the town's water supply.

The rear of the county hall. The basement is now home to a coffee shop called Buns in the Basement

Abingdon County Hall Museum is well worth a visit. I picked up some great postcards while there and also saw a World War 1 book written by my old college lecturer Bob Frampton! Check out the museum's website and Twitter feed for more information.

One of the special Bun Throwing displays in Abingdon County Hall Museum

Links:
- Abingdon County Hall Museum
- Abingdon County Hall Museum on Twitter
- Buns in the Basement

Related blog posts:
- Bun Throwing
- Abingdon-on-Thames
- Abingdon-on-Thames celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a Bun Throwing

Bun Throwing at Abingdon Fire Station

A variation on Abingdon's tradition of Bun Throwing to take place in September.

This year Abingdon Fire Station celebrates its 50th anniversary and to mark the occasion a special bun throwing will take place on Saturday 27 September.

Bun Throwing normally takes place in the market place, with local dignitaries throwing currant buns from the roof of the old county hall down to townsfolk gathered below.

The Abingdon Fire Station bun throw will see buns launched from the Drill Tower!

Both my brother Jon, and Alastair at the Abingdon Blog let me know the event will be happening. Unfortunatley with such short notice I can't make it. I look forward to hearing about the event and seeing photos of the action.

The Fire Station's 50th Anniversary event runs from 11am - 3pm on Saturday 27 September at the Fire Station on Ock Street. The bun throwing will be at 1pm. Other entertainment, including Morris Dancing, exhibtions and a general open day will also be taking place.

More details can be found on the Abingdon Fire Station Facebook event page and the Abingdon Blog.

The last Bun Throwing took place to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on the 3 June 2012. The event was the 33rd since the first throw in 1761.

One of the special '60' currant buns at the last Bun Throwing in 2012

Earlier in 2012 the town had held the first-ever World Bun Throwing Championships to find the best throwing arms in the town!

Throwing a bun at the first World Bun Throwing Championships in 2012

Links:
- Abingdon Fire Station on Oxfordshire County Council's website
- Red Watch, Abingdon on Thames Fire Station on Twitter
- 365alive - an Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service Initiative website
- Abingdon Blog