Here is the view over the Wootton Road as seen by Daniel’s drone. It shows a funfair on the Circus Field and part of the large development.
As can be seen there has been progress in creating the foundation of new houses in that development. Quite a few outlines are visible.
All the fun of the fair is there this weekend.
Further along the Dunmore Road there is just earth moving and no development yet.
This week marked the centenary of the Royal British Legion – 100 years providing support for the armed forces, campaigning for their interests and promoting Remembrance.
Saturday, May 15th, has been designated RBL 100 and special commemorative badges with the poppy on them have been designed, wreaths will be laid and there will be a Battle of Britain memorial flypast.
Abingdon has long held the poppy close to its heart and the Legion has been a presence in the town since at least 1933. In the past five years Abingdon has donated almost a quarter of a million pounds to the Poppy Appeal – an incredible jump on the £20,000 raised annually a decade ago.
Clare Oldfield, Poppy Appeal Organiser, said: ‘Support in the town is humbling, awe-inspiring and collecting is always an emotional experience. Remember this money comes from donations, nothing has a price on it. This is what people want to give. It is not uncommon for them to give £30, £40 and £50 for a single poppy. Or hundreds of pounds for a wreath.’
The Poppy Appeal in the town is organised and run by the RBL social club in Spring Road, Abingdon – drawing together veterans, cadets, schools, college students and dedicated collectors.
And not even a pandemic was going to stop the town raising thousands of pounds once again when house to house, supermarket and street collections were banned last year.
Covid restrictions meant the club remained closed for this weekend’s RBL 100 celebrations. It reopens on Monday May 17th to members and their guests. Membership is not limited to the armed forces and Stuart Jackson, club chairman, said: ‘We look forward to being at the heart of the community once more, to celebrating the centenary, to welcome old friends back – and maybe even some new ones.’
If you would like to become a poppy collector or to share your Legion story contact Clare Oldfield on legionclubabingdon@gmail.com
To find out more about the Royal British Legion go to: https://www.britishlegion.org.
Pictures show one of the RBL 100 badges, and veteran Bob Strachan, a long-term poppy collector.
250 covid-secure venues and 500 virtual exhibitions and studios are open for the 2021 Oxfordshire Artweeks festival from May 1st – May 23rd. (Last year there were only virtual exhibitons).
In Abingdon the festival will run from Saturday, May 15th to Sunday, May 23rd in venues across the town, including the County Hall Museum, St Nicolas Church, St Ethelwold’s House, 30 Abbot Road, and the Peachcroft Farm Barn (flier pictured above).
Check out https://www.artweeks.org/festival/map for opening times. Brochures were also posted through doors so you might also check your letter tray.
Thankyou to Caroline for these pictures from Peachcroft Barn as they finished setting up the exhibition.
A correspondent sent me some pictures to show that the new jetty at Abingdon Lock is now complete.
Boats go one side,
and canoe portage the other.
A jetty is a structure that projects from land out into water. It may also be a walkway on water. The word is from the French word jetée, ‘thrown’, signifying something thrown out.
Portage is the practice of carrying water craft or cargo over land. It is from the French word ‘Porter’ to wear or to carry.