Author Archives: Backstreeter

Poppy Display at St Nicolas Church, Abingdon

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Poppy Display at St Nicolas Church, Abingdon
A tree decorated with poppies, representing all the fallen of Abingdon, is now on display in St Nicolas’ Church.

Created by the Mason’s Knitting and Crocheting Circle, the poppies will be on display for the next few weeks as the town and nation remember those who gave their lives.
Poppy Display at St Nicolas Church, Abingdon
‘This is the second year that Mason’s Knitting and Crocheting Circle have created this wonderful tribute,’ said Church Warden Andrew Coker.

‘Last year we commemorated the centenary of the Great War’s armistice, and the group said they wanted to continue their work. St Nicolas displays the poppies for a few weeks and then The Royal British Legion collect them and make brooches for sale the following year.  Each poppy is unique and handmade.  It is a wonderful, beneficial circular effort.  The Mason’s group support each other through conversation and personal help, knitting and crocheting poppies as they talk, then local people visit St Nicolas and reflect on the sacrifice and the Royal British Legion fundraise in the year to come for our servicemen and women’s support.’

Cards for Good Causes are in St Nicolas, Market Square, Abingdon 10.00- 4.30 Monday to Saturday. So everyone is welcome to browse the cards and see the poppy display and reflect in their own way.

Abingdon Town’s highest honour

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Freedom of Abingdon
At a ceremony this evening, Lesley Legge, Marilyn Badcock, and Julie Mayhew-Archer were made Honorary Freewomen of the Town of Abingdon.
Freedom of Abingdon
Before the ceremony the Mayor of Abingdon watched dancing by the Mr Hemmings Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers
Freedom of Abingdon
and the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. This is only the second time they have danced together.
Freedom of Abingdon
The ceremony took the form of a council meeting on stage in the Abbey Hall.

Two people gave speeches saying why the ladies should be given the highest honour Abingdon Town has to give. Each recipient made a declaration of office, and was given a medal and scroll by the Mayor of Abingdon.
Freedom of Abingdon
Sir Hugo Brunner, Freeman of the Town, then welcomed Lesley, Marilyn, and Julie to the Freedom of Abingdon.
Freedom of Abingdon
After the ceremony people shook hands with the Freewomen.

The first Freeman of Abingdon was John Morland in 1922. The first Freewoman of Abingdon was Dr Joan Harcourt-Norris in 1988. There have been more men than women given this honour. This evening’s ceremony created the 3rd, 4th and 5th Abingdon Freewomen.

All three have served on the town council and other councils. They have all been Mayor, and been very active in community groups. Reverend Charles Miller who led the opening and the closing prayers at the ceremony said their service to the community is an example to us all.

Abingdon Health Walks

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Abingdon Health Walks
The Abingdon Health Walks scheme offers three walks a week from the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre (Monday, Wednesday and Fridays – 10.15 am meet in the café); and a Gentle Walk  from Preston Road Community Centre (Thursday).

The walks do not cost anything but you do need to register with them beforehand.  BETTER who run the leisure centre, has recently helped by providing public liability insurance and DBS checks for walk leaders – things necessary these days, so walks can continue as they have since Viv Boorman started them in 2004.
Abingdon Health Walks
They also organise social events and the photo shows 50 members on holiday in September walking the Golden Cap National Trust trail in Somerset.

To find out more information on Abingdon Health Walks, ask at the leisure centre or contact Viv Boorman (Volunteer Scheme Coordinator) by emailing vivboorman531@btinternet.com .

All Saints Diamond Jubilee

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All Saints Diamond Jubilee
All Saints Church in Abingdon have been celebrating their Diamond Jubilee this weekend.
All Saints Diamond Jubilee
All Saints was opened in October 1959, and Lady Cockcroft from the Harwell Atomic Energy Research Establishment was there at the opening. Sir John Cockcroft was a renowned physicist who helped set up Harwell.

Abingdon was expanding northwards in the 1940s with the development of the Fitzharry’s and Manor Estates and then Rush Common Estate in the 1950s. Housing was needed for the workers at Harwell – scientists and technicians.

Members from Trinity Church Abingdon, in an act of faith, bought a plot of land for a new church at the centre of the new housing. Generous contributions ensured it opened free of debt. Members from Trinity left to set up the new church.
All Saints Diamond Jubilee
The anniversary celebrations took place over All Saints Day on Friday 1st November 2019 and continued with services, exhibitions and activities over the weekend. A lot of former members came back to visit.
All Saints Diamond Jubilee
The last service was a Songs of Praise that began with the hymn ‘For all the saints’. There was also a hymn specially written by two church member for the celebration called ‘Lead us On‘. The chorus went:

We cannot see where all our paths may lead
We cannot know where each of us will go
We thank you for the grace
that brought us to this place
and we trust in your love to lead us on.
All Saints Diamond Jubilee
All Saints Church continues to act as centre of community in 2019. Lots of other community groups use the church buildings.
All Saints Diamond Jubilee
A display of diamonds at the front, and a large display on the side wall had been created by the groups that use that place.