BUN throwing to celebrate the Royal Wedding will take place from the roof of Abingdon’s museum, a town firm has pledged after winning a contract to refurbish the historic building.
Leadbitter, based at Abingdon Science Park, has quashed fears the redevelopment would bar town councillors from indulging in the traditional ritual from Abingdon County Hall Museum.
Bun throwing in Abingdon dates back to the Coronation of George III in 1761 and is also due to take place in 2012 to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Mike Burton, head of special projects for Leadbitter, said the sky would be raining buns come the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29.
He said: “We will make sure by hook or by crook that there will be bun throwing.
“We will ensure that part of the roof is retained at the time so that the town councillors can take part.
“We will obviously ensure that everything is safe for the councillors.”
The firm is one of the town’s biggest employers with 675 members of staff and has been chosen by Abingdon Town Council for the £1.5m project.
Work will start on Monday, January 17 and finish in September.
Three new galleries are planned on the second floor, including one on town car giant MG.And the museum’s 1902 gas-powered water pump will be displayed in the basement after it has been renovated by Leadbitter.
Town councillor and former mayor Julie Mayhew-Archer said: “It’s good news that a local firm has got the contract for this important project.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund has contributed £2m towards a £3.5m project. Sheila Hills, of the Friends of Abingdon Museum group, said: “We are delighted that a local firm has got the contract and the work Leadbitter does will be an excellent start.”
The County Hall was built between 1678 and 1684 by Christopher Kempster, a protegé of Sir Christopher Wren, one of England’s most renowned architects.
It was built to house the Berkshire Assize Courts, the location for 200 years of some of the county’s most important criminal trials.
news@oxfordmail.co.uk
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