Bun throwing has been one of Oxfordshire's quirkiest traditions for centuries.

And buns will rain down on the crowd once again to celebrate the King's coronation. 

In June there was bun throwing to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and in 2018 there was an event to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

READ AGAIN: Bun throwing for the Platinum Jubilee 

Abingdon Town Council organises the bun throwing, and it will take place on Sunday, May 7 at 4pm.

This will follow a Coronation Fun in the Park event in the Abbey Grounds, from 10am to 3pm, featuring community stalls and activities.

Signs have gone up around the town to publicise the bun throwing.

Last year about 5,000 buns were thrown from the roof of Abingdon County Hall Museum into the market place below.

Thousands of people gather each time to catch the buns and take them home as souvenirs.

Oxford Mail:

The bun throwing will be part of a weekend of Coronation celebrations across the country.

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The Royal Household website says: "The Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort will be marked with events across the country and a concert at Windsor Castle. 

"Their Majesties want to encourage people to spend the Coronation Weekend celebrating with friends, families and their communities.

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

The service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry."

The Coronation web page adds: "On Sunday, May 7, a special Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC and BBC Studios, with several thousand pairs of tickets to be made available via public ballot.

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"The Coronation Big Lunch, at which neighbours and communities are invited to share food and fun together, will take place across the country, also on Sunday, May 7."

Oxford Mail:

On Monday, May 8, members of the public will be invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.

The town council website said: "Bun throwing is an iconic 400 year-old tradition which is unique to Abingdon-on-Thames, when specially made buns are thrown to residents from the top of the historic County Hall in the centre of Abingdon.

"Bun throwings are held to mark a Royal occasion and councillors in full ceremonial robes climb to the top of the County Hall and throw several thousand currant buns down at the chanting crowds filling the Market Place below.

Oxford Mail:

"The buns are always specially baked for the occasion and are often preserved by local families and visitors.

"The Abingdon County Hall Museum has a selection of buns from previous bun throwings throughout the years and there is even a local cafe named after the tradition with old newspaper clippings and pictures on the walls."

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF