Author Archives: Backstreeter

The Fair That Doesn’t Run Away

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The Runaway Fair was set up today, Sunday, and will be open tomorrow, Monday.

I’ve been writing the same thing for nearly twenty years now … ‘It takes place one week after Abingdon’s Michaelmas Fair. It was once a hiring fair where farmworkers and servants who left their jobs after Michaelmas could find new work. By the late 1800s, the hiring aspect had faded, and now it’s a small funfair, mainly for children, through the afternoon and early evening.’

The world has changed in those twenty years – phones have become pocket computers with cameras better than cameras once were. Blogs can use bigger pictures because internet speeds are faster (from 2-5 Mbps then to 100-220 Mbps now). Banks, Newsagents, Photography, Clothes, Flower and Card shops have been replaced by coffee shops, cafés, nail salons, and men’s barbers.

The only change in twenty years of the Runaway Fair is that, to reduce traffic problems, it is now held only in the Market Place and not along the High Street.

Cycling Plans Get a Mixed Reception in Abingdon

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A public consultation on the proposed cycling improvements for East St Helen Street and the junction by the Abbey Gateway was held today in the former Magistrates’ Court. A second opportunity to meet the designers will take place on Tuesday in the Roysse Room from 4 pm to 7 pm.

A steady stream of visitors came to study the plans and speak with the project representatives. Among those most vocal were residents of East St Helen Street – where a new cycling contraflow is proposed, local conservationists, and cyclists keen to see better routes through the town.
The proposals, initiated by the cycling charity Sustrans and designed by Oxfordshire County Council, were generally welcomed by those supporting more active travel. However, they also prompted a range of concerns. Some East St Helen Street residents questioned the safety of the design for both cyclists and pedestrians, and how it might affect the character of this historic street. Conservation-minded visitors raised worries about changes to the junction’s appearance — including the addition of several new crossing points and belisha beacons — and how these might impact views towards the Abbey Gateway and St Nicolas Church. Others felt the plans did not help pedestrians, saying that many people cross High Street and Stert Street elsewhere and may not use the proposed new island. Drivers, too, voiced concerns about traffic flow.

Discussions were lively showing how challenging it will be to balance all the competing interests.

Details and the online consultation can be found at: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/eaststhelenstreet

Farewell to Father Paul Smith

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On the eve of the Feast of St Paulinus, St Michael’s Church was filled with family, friends, and colleagues of Father Paul Smith, gathered to give thanks for his 25 years of ordained ministry and to wish him well in retirement.

The preacher, Revd Patrick Taylor – who studied with Paul at Cuddesdon Theological College – explained that Paulinus was a nickname from those days, one that Paul still uses to sign his paintings. St Paulinus was both a missionary and companion, and Revd Taylor drew a parallel with Paul’s own gift for companionship and encouragement.

In a farewell message in this month’s Round & About magazine, Father Paul wrote that he is leaving Abingdon after living and ministering here since 2010 as Team Vicar of St Michael’s, Park Road, and St Nicolas’, in the Market Place. His journey to ordination was shaped by living with cerebral palsy and using a wheelchair. He has been described as a trailblazer in the Church. It has sometimes been ‘relentless, exhausting and lonely.’

Father Paul expressed deep gratitude for the people of Abingdon and for the privilege of sharing in their joys and sorrows. Abingdon and its people will always have a special place in my heart.

(Photographs by Revd David Bevington. With thanks to Rob Rutherford. In the first picture are Revd Patrick Taylor, Revd Dr A. K. M. Adam, Revd Paul Smith, and Revd Jennifer Brown.)

Phab Club Celebrates 40 Fabulous Years!

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Last week, the Vale of White Horse / Abingdon Phab Club celebrated its 40th anniversary.

The club was founded by David Carter to give people with disabilities, like himself, a welcoming place to socialise, have fun, and make friends. David’s legacy lives on through his parents, Barbara and Nigel Carter, who continue to run the club with great humour (and a little help from friends Sylvia, Lorraine, Colin and Sarah — all pictured).

The celebration took place at Christ Church, Abingdon, the club’s home. There was pizza from Caprinos – just across the road, a rousing – if slightly out of tune, ‘Happy Birthday to us… ‘, and chocolate cake. There was a ‘Secret Santa’ style gift swap – everyone brought a little present (max. price £5) and went home with a surprise.

In 1995–96, Nigel received a Mayor’s Award from then-Mayor Cllr Dr Jim Halliday for his work with Phab — originally known as the Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied Club. (The language has changed, but the name Phab remains.)

Nigel, now aged 80, is still going despite facing some serious health challenges over the years, with Barbara by his side. Nigel is a former undertaker – a business now run by his son – and also Pastor of Frilford Chapel, which also has a Youtube channel with a style all of its own (pictured above).

Such staying power is perhaps only matched by Cllr Jim Halliday, who, 30 years after presenting that Mayor’s Award, is leader of the Town Council yet again.