Author Archives: Backstreeter

Abingdon Celebrates 25 Years of Church Twinning

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The Abingdon Church Twinning group are marking 25 years of church twinning this weekend. Visitors have come from Sint-Niklaas in Belgium, Argentan in France, and Schongau in Germany.

On Friday, visitors had a chance to explore Oxford or Blenheim Palace, followed by a supper featuring Shepherd’s Pie — in six or seven varieties. One vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie was brought in a cycle-basket by Richard. Shepherd’s Pie was followed by strawberries and cream, which may explain one Abingdon supermarket being low on strawberries today.

On Saturday, the group toured Abingdon. Although they didn’t get to see the Abingdon Air and Country Show, they could hear the aircraft buzzing about and imagine the scene from our  descriptions.

On Sunday, the weekend will draw to a close with a goodbye service and a reception at St Edmund’s Church, after a day with their host families.

One Week to Go: The Mayor of Ock Street Election

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With just over a week remaining until the election on Saturday 21st of June, a display in the window of FatFace profiles the two candidates.

Harry Knight
Soon to turn 75, Harry is an Abingdonian by adoption and was first elected Mayor of Ock Street in 2014 – a role he has held several times since. He moved to Abingdon 51 years ago and joined the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers in 1976. For many years, he lived and worked on Ock Street as a funeral director. Harry is one of the side’s melodeon players and has also served as Bagman. He was Lead Dancer the last time the Morris performed at the Royal Albert Hall and still enjoys “Constant Billy,” one of the group’s most energetic dances. His son, Daniel, has also danced with the side.

Rob Charlton
Aged 51, Rob is a lecturer at Abingdon and Witney College and was elected Mayor of Ock Street in 2024. He first came to Abingdon over 20 years ago, arriving on his boat in search of somewhere to moor – and never left. Rob is unique in having been Lead Dancer for both Abingdon Traditional Morris sides. He supports their ongoing friendly rivalry, believing it brings spirit and colour to the town. He created the most recent original dance in the Abingdon repertoire, first performed during the Diamond Jubilee bun throwing. He’s also plays the fiddle, banjo mandolin, and other instruments during processions and music sessions.

Residents and workers in Ock Street (and its side streets), along with members of the Abingdon Traditional Morris, are eligible to vote. They are lucky to have two such good candidates.

The day will also include dancing throughout the day by The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers and two guest teams:  Bampton Traditional Morris, and Chiltern Hundreds NW Morris. The election result will be declared soon after 4 pm at the Brewery Tap.

Dancing at Lughnasa and Verdi’s Requiem

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Thanks to Colette and Pete for these two upcoming events by two important Abingdon institutions.

Abingdon Drama Club presents Dancing at Lughnasa, Brian Friel’s lyrical play, from 2nd to 5th July at the Unicorn Theatre.

Set in 1930s rural Ireland, the play captures two afternoons in the lives of five sisters during the festival of Lughnasa.

Director Colette Lardner-Browne, who grew up in Galway, brings a personal connection to the production. “I was captivated by the play’s rich characters and lyrical language,” she says. “It’s a joy to bring this beautiful story to Abingdon.”

Performances:
Wed–Sat, 2nd–5th July at 7:30pm
Sat matinee, 5th July at 2:30pm

Tickets: £15 / £12 concessions
Available online at abingdon-drama-club.com or from The Bookstore.

On Saturday 14th June at 7:30pm, Abingdon & District Musical Society will perform Verdi’s Requiem in the Amey Theatre at Abingdon School.

The performance will be conducted by Alexander Walker and the orchestra will be led by Kate Bailey.

Tickets will cost £15 on the door or £13 in advance (booking fees apply). Under-£16s, £1. Tickets available from boxoffice@abingdon.org.uk, or visit www.ameytheatre.org.uk, or tel. 01235-849063.

Closures of NatWest and Pablo Lounge on Abingdon Market Place

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In the past week, it has been announced that the NatWest Bank will close, and staff at Pablo Lounge have told customers they also are to close.

NatWest is the latest in a line of banks to shut their Abingdon branch — part of a wider national trend as customers increasingly move to digital banking. However, the closure will inconvenience local businesses that rely on bank services such as change, as well as customers who are not online. The Abingdon branch is set to close on 24th September.

Pablo Lounge’s staff were informed last week that it is closing at the end of this month. Since opening in 2018, Pablo Lounge has been a popular spot for coffee, snacks, or meals — staying open until 11 pm and known for its friendly staff. Its quirky interior, with paintings covering the walls, gave it a charm that will be missed.

According to the 1854 Billings Directory, the bank started as the London and County Bank in Abingdon in the Market Place. In 1909, the London and Westminster Bank merged with the London and County Bank. More Mergers and name changes followed until in 1968, the Westminster Bank merged with the National Provincial Bank to form the National Westminster Bank – now known simply as NatWest.