Author Archives: Backstreeter

August What’s On in Abingdon – Addendum 1

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When I put together the August What’s On, an important detail and some events got missed.

First, the detail from The Bun Throwing Competition, which is part of the VJ Day celebrations at the Party on the Pitch on August 16, Abingdon Rugby Club, Lambrick Way, 11am–4pm, teams to register by emailing Abingdonrblvevj@gmail.com. What I didn’t mention is that the winning team of four will be invited to join the civic dignitaries on the rooftop of the County Hall for the next official bun throwing.

Unlike the previous two World Bun Throwing Championships, this is a team event where not 1 but 4 throwers will be invited to the rooftop. In 2012, the winning individual throw was 57.80 metres, and in 2016, the winning individual throw was 156 feet 4 inches. (The photo from the 2012 event shows Richard Gottfried, who has attended every bun throwing since 1980 and writes the World of Bun Throwing blog.)

The events missed were:

Steve’s “Exotic” Garden Open Day – Steve has opened his garden most years since 2014, raising money for charity. He’s transformed an ordinary backyard into a stunningly exotic garden.

The Family Fun at Abingdon Baptist Church.

“It’s All Happening in Abingdon”

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From 10:30am, friends from the Lighthouse Church, who meet at the Guildhall, filled the Marketplace with music. At 11:00am, they were joined by a group from Christchurch.

Meanwhile, in the Roysse Room, Eben Lark had transformed the space with vintage finds. Frank — pictured here with his daughter, who runs Eben Lark — summed up the morning: “It’s all happening in Abingdon.”

Adding to the mix, the Oddballs Rally continues over at the Rugby Club, with bikes parked on the Market Place and others roaring by the County Hall.

Oddball Scooters and Mellow Tunes in Abingdon

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The Oddball Scooter Rally — now celebrating its 10th anniversary — is on this weekend at Abingdon Rugby Club. Every so often, the phut phut of a vintage motor scooter can be heard in West St Helen Street. Earlier, outside the Co-op, I overheard one rider say, “Not bad for 1958,” as he stood beside his machine.

It was a lovely, sunny afternoon. The petunias have filled out and cover the beds with colour.

The hanging baskets are at their peak — not yet straggly.

A regular street musician was playing in his mellow way. A few days ago, he was playing as four children danced in a line beside him — getting applause from their parents and the people at nearby tables. Today, he got quite a few coins from passers-by.

A Feast of Flowers and Clergy Changes at Abingdon-on-Thames Parish

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The front garden of St Helen’s Church Office is a joy to pass in any season. Its colourful, carefully tended flowers reflect the care and dedication found within the parish.

There are changes ahead for the clergy team. The Rev Dr Jennifer Brown, currently Associate Priest at St Helen’s, has been appointed Rector of Abingdon-on-Thames and will be licensed on Tuesday 21st October at 7 pm in St Helen’s Church.

The Rev Paul Smith will be retiring, with his final service on Wednesday 9th October at 7 pm in St Michael’s Church. We wish him the very best and are sorry to see him go.