Abingdon Traditional Morris danced on New Year’s Day outside the Punchbowl and the Broad Face. I filmed their last dance of the day and uploaded it to youtube…
The Abingdon Mummers (made up of morris dancers) made £434.06 for the Abingdon Foodbank.
Soon after midnight, in the new year 2023, I walked around Abingdon town centre, where St Nicolas bells started ringing. The secret crochet had made a 2023 postbox topper. Walking back, I saw the residents of East St Helen Street going back into their houses after wishing each other a Happy New Year.
Looking forward to the new year, there will be the coronation of King Charles III and a bun throw in May. Town and vale council elections are also in May.
Davina retired today after 20 years at Sue Ryder, where she was the manager of the Abingdon shop.
Last night volunteers, who have worked with Davina, returned for a party. There was a display of all the fundraising events they had done over the years, including the vintage tea party, when volunteers dressed up as land army.
Davina started as a volunteer in Bicester and then worked between Bicester and Aylesbury and then was offered the manager’s job in Abingdon. Over the 20 years, she kept to the philosophy of selling quality things. The windows are always exciting, and Davina said it is all about bringing people in and making it a welcoming environment.
Claire, who volunteers at the shop, said, ‘Davina has raised over 2 million pounds for the Sue Ryder charity and will be greatly missed by her colleagues and customers. She has been a great advocate of Abingdon.’
Davina’s final day was New Year’s Eve. The next chapter in her life involves helping with grandchildren, and she likes writing poetry and will have time to explore such interests.
The waste collectors have had time off over Christmas, and as Christmas creates a lot of extra waste, they are working on Saturdays for three weeks to catch up.
There is also the usual range of post-Christmas Sales as seasonal stock is cleared in many shops.
The post-Christmas sales are a chance to buy Christmas Trees at 50% off.
Cards are also 50% off. (With the postal strikes and no local Scouts post, card sales are probably lower this year.)