Food, beer and flower stalls attracted lots of shoppers to the Market Place on Saturday.

The local excellence market is held about six times a year, running alongside the regular Monday market.

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Among traders selling to shoppers were Abingdon Distillery, food and drink supplier Barbury Hill from Steventon, Natural Bread Company in Oxford, and Authentic Desi Food from Oxford.

Dan Smith, who runs Barbury Hill, selling cheese (Image: Andy Ffrench)

The town council said in a statement: “Local excellence is a market at which local food producers, craft workers and retailers sell their goods in Abingdon Market Place.

“The market gives Abingdon shoppers the chance to sample foods, beers and crafts from Oxfordshire and nearby.

“The market starts at 9am and finishes at 2pm, sometimes later.

Rachel from Abingdon Distillery selling gin (Image: Andy Ffrench)

“Held on occasional Saturdays through the year, it is very popular with people who are at work all week and miss out on our weekly markets on Monday, or the local farmers’ market on the third Friday in the month.”

Nawaz Hussain from Oxford selling samosas (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Rachel, who works at Abingdon Distillery, said it was a big year for the company as it looks forward to its Single Malt Oxfordshire Whisky going on sale in the autumn.

The next local excellent market is expected to take place on Saturday, May 30.

Parkway Arts in Station Road is a community arts studio close to Didcot Parkway train station, which offers pottery, mosaics, stained glass, and creative courses.

Those taking part in community classes have been modelling sculptures out of clay – including models of mice.

Lots of different classes are available at the pottery, crafts and arts studio.

Artist Jenni Dawson has been running the the arts space since 2024.

The studio says: “We currently offer not only hand-building, but also Silver Metal Clay courses and mosaic workshops – with even more crafts and classes planned.

“Studio memberships are also available for those ready to take their practice further.”

Frank Dumbleton is a volunteer at Didcot Railway Centre, close to Didcot Parkway, and a local photographer.

He visited the arts centre to take a series of photos of women taking part in the community classes.

The breakfast radio host has been sacked from BBC Radio 2 over allegations relating to his personal conduct, the corporation has confirmed.

A BBC spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC.”

The 53-year-old from Southampton took over the breakfast show from Zoe Ball last year, and news of the sacking led the 12pm bulletin on his former station.

READ MORE: Scott Mills sacked by BBC over ‘personal conduct’ allegation

The listing on the Love to Visit website advertising Scott Mills. (Image: Love to Visit)

Mr Mills was advertised as a headliner for the Oxford: Foodies Festival 2026, on the Love to Visit website.

The event is set to take place in South Park between Saturday, August 29, and Monday, August 31.

“Headliners Boyzlife, Scott Mills and more perform live, exclusively at Foodies Festival,” reads the listing.

However, no trace of Mr Mills can be found on the official Foodies website, and organisers have told this newspaper that he was not set to perform at the festival, despite tickets being able to be bought from the Love to Visit website.

At the start of his show on BBC Radio 2, Jeremy Vine said he was “taken aback” by the news about Scott Mills.

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Crowds at Foodies Festival (Image: Tom Martin / Wales News Service)

He said: “Obviously, I was taken aback by that opening story to the news.

“I had not heard anything about it until 17 minutes ago, when it was on the BBC website and I only had the information that was given to you in the bulletin.

“I have nothing more, that it was allegations about Scott Mills’ personal conduct, which have led to him being sacked.

“I have no more than that. All right, on to today’s show.”

The presenter was last on air on Tuesday, with veteran DJ Gary Davies replacing him from Wednesday onwards.

As he handed over on what was to become his final show, Mr Mills joked about waxing his legs and doing Stars In Their Eyes with fellow Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay, before signing off with: “See you tomorrow.”

Mr Davies did not address the reason for Mr Mills’ absence when he began Wednesday’s show, telling listeners: “Morning, Gary in for Scott.”

In an email sent to staff, Lorna Clarke, director of music, wrote: “I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC.

“I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.

“I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

“Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to.

“While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.”

Mr Mills was due to support Boyzone on their Two For The Road gigs in June.

The presenter is reported to earn between £355,000 and £359,999 as of the corporation’s last annual report.