Author Archives: Backstreeter

Art on the Workhouse Estate (Abbott, Thesiger and part of Oxford Road) until 23rd May

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As part of Artweeks, 20 households on the Workhouse Estate have created artwork, and displayed it in front gardens as part of an arts trail, celebrating that we are all living ‘under one sky’ even during the social and physical distancing of lockdown. The trail is available at https://www.popupartscollective.co.uk/workhouse-arts-trail

Clare Davis, a local artist, has organised the event, and is seen here with the Mayor. There is also a more formal exhibition in Clare’s studio and garden at 30 Abbott Rd.

There were silk flags billowing freely in Boxhill Woods that have also been moved to Clare’s garden, out of harms way.

There is a range of people who have taken part – individuals of all ages, but also families –  involving lots of work by children.

You can see more and book a visit to Clare’s studio at https://www.artweeks.org/festival/2021/pop-arts-collective. It runs until 23rd May.

Thankyou to the Workhouse Correspondent for these pictures.

Poem made of snippets from the 1994 Trinity Toddler Group diary

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(This is another possible poem for the proposed book – Ten Poems about Abingdon – to be published in October 2021.)

We will make a weather book with snow on the front,
frost and rain inside, sunshine on the back.
We will make a cotton wool and toilet roll snowman,
Sing Incy Wincy Spider in January.

We will make toilet roll birds with flappy wings.
Teddy bears’ pancake day, Biscuits with sprinkles.
NO CRAFT on the day that it snows.
Sing the wheels on the bus in February.

We will make paper cup faces with cress hair,
Mothering Sunday cards with doilies and daffs,
yoghurt pots with chickens and straws.
Sing two little birds in March.

We will make paper blossom on branches with eggs,
Easter Cards with fluffy chicks,
a house and garden from catalogue cut-outs.
Sing Hickory Dickory Dock in April

We will make butterflies out of all-coloured scraps,
rainbow streamers for ABINGDON ALIVE,
smiley face plates saying LETS BE FRIENDS.
Sing What a friend we have in May.

We will make round and round the garden on a plate
with Teddy Bears on split pins,
fishes from gold and silver milk bottle tops.
Sing two little rabbits in June.

We will make a clock face with moving hands,
sandcastle, spade, bucket, boat with sails.
At Teatime Praise on the lawn
sing the wise man built his house in July

We will make Mr Men shapes: round – happy, noisy, and clever;
oval – nosey and bumpy; square – strong and grumpy.
We will put felt vegetables in a basket for harvest.
Sing Old McDonald had a farm in September.

We will make roundabouts with horses on card,
squirrels with a big pile of nuts in October.
We will make a night sky – black paper, shiny stars,
fireworks and rockets that whoosh in November.

We will make a doily angel and baby Jesus
and Mary and Joseph from playdough.
Everybody will have a part this year.
Sing The Calypso Carol in December.

Aerial view of Dunmore Road development this weekend with Fun Fair

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Here is the view over the Wootton Road as seen by Daniel’s drone. It shows a funfair on the Circus Field and part of the large development.

As can be seen there has been progress in creating the foundation of new houses in that development. Quite a few outlines are visible.

All the fun of the fair is there this weekend.

Further along the Dunmore Road there is just earth moving and no development yet.

Royal British Legion – Centenary

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This week marked the centenary of the Royal British Legion – 100 years providing support for the armed forces, campaigning for their interests and promoting Remembrance.

Saturday, May 15th, has been designated RBL 100 and special commemorative badges with the poppy on them have been designed, wreaths will be laid and there will be a Battle of Britain memorial flypast.

Abingdon has long held the poppy close to its heart and the Legion has been a presence in the town since at least 1933. In the past five years Abingdon has donated almost a quarter of a million pounds to the Poppy Appeal – an incredible jump on the £20,000 raised annually a decade ago.

Clare Oldfield, Poppy Appeal Organiser, said: ‘Support in the town is humbling, awe-inspiring and collecting is always an emotional experience. Remember this money comes from donations, nothing has a price on it. This is what people want to give. It is not uncommon for them to give £30, £40 and £50 for a single poppy. Or hundreds of pounds for a wreath.’

The Poppy Appeal in the town is organised and run by the RBL social club in Spring Road, Abingdon – drawing together veterans, cadets, schools, college students and dedicated collectors.

And not even a pandemic was going to stop the town raising thousands of pounds once again when house to house, supermarket and street collections were banned last year.

Covid restrictions meant the club remained closed for this weekend’s RBL 100 celebrations.  It reopens on Monday May 17th to members and their guests. Membership is not limited to the armed forces and Stuart Jackson, club chairman, said: ‘We look forward to being at the heart of the community once more, to celebrating the centenary, to welcome old friends back – and maybe even some new ones.’

If you would like to become a poppy collector or to share your Legion story contact Clare Oldfield on legionclubabingdon@gmail.com

To find out more about the Royal British Legion go to: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk

Pictures show one of the RBL 100 badges, and veteran Bob Strachan, a long-term poppy collector.