ABINGDON celebrated in style when The Queen marked 25 years on the throne.
Like many cities, towns and villages throughout the country, a day of events was held in June 1977 to mark Her Majesty’s silver jubilee.
The picture shows members of the Abingdon Drama Club passing through the Market Square on their float.
It was one of a number which paraded through the town before becoming the centrepiece of a carnival held at Rye Farm Meadow, alongside the River Thames.
The day also included that peculiar Abingdon tradition – the throwing of buns.
About 2,000 people packed the town centre for the rare opportunity of seeing the mayor, Peter Thatcher, and fellow town councillors throw 2,100 buns from the top of County Hall to the masses below.
As usual, people scrambled to collect the buns, which had been specially baked by three local bakers.
The tradition started when William IV came to the town in 1820 and threw buns from the top of 17th century County Hall to the poor people of the district.
It has continued on special occasions ever since.
Earlier in the day, Mr Thatcher and the mayors of Faringdon and Wantage had taken part in a procession from the Guildhall to St Helen’s Church for a jubilee service of thanksgiving.
Other events included a peal of bells and the release of 200 racing pigeons.
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