Author Archives: Backstreeter

Music to start a marriage

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At St Helen’s Church this morning, the organist was demonstrating music, for use during a church marriage ceremony, to a group of people soon to be married.

I was sitting in The Lady Chapel during this piece, intended for the end of the marriage ceremony. This is where the bridge and groom walk arm in arm, smiling this way and that at friends and family, then out of the church for some photographs, followed by a reception.

It is the start of a marriage. There may be some trouble ahead but where there is love and romance and adventure the music can keep on playing. Happy Valentine’s Day on Monday.

Information Boards that need updating

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The town maps, produced as a Choose Abingdon project, look out of date. The original maps were designed digitally so they could be updated.

At least four things have changed in this section, and a spider has got stuck under the glass.

The information board outside the Abbey Gardens has come unstuck. It was probably created by VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District Council), being so close to their park. There is another information board nearby that is part of the Heart of Abingdon Heritage Trail.

A walk by the river

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Walking back beside the Thames at Culham Reach we saw rowing boats ready for the next effort, Canada Geese, and fishermen. There was a cool wind and occasional showers.

The rowers came past encouraged by the cox who said ‘half way’. After that the path got muddy.

The river itself was a muddle of reflections and looked bluer than the sky.

Back in Abingdon, the bells of St Helen’s were sounding the 70th anniversary.

Abingdon Town Crier announces the New Queen’s 70th anniversary

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Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II on 6th February 1952. 6th February 2022 is the 70th anniversary.

George VI had died on 6th February 1952. So the day itself is not a day of celebration.

The Coronation took place over a year later on 2nd June 1953.

To celebrate the jubilee, events will take place during the year, including the bun throwing in Abingdon in June.