Author Archives: Backstreeter

Preston Cup

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Preston Cup Day
At Abingdon Bowling Club teams were competing for The Preston Cup. The cup was given to the club by Alderman Preston in 1920 and first competed for in 1921. It is a challenge cup for visiting teams, and Abingdon teams.
Preston Cup Day
In previous years, elimination rounds were held beforehand, with the winning teams competing on Finals Day. This year, for the first time, shorter preliminary rounds and the finals all happened on the same day to encourage more teams to compete. The day was kicked off by the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Charlie Birks.
Preston Cup Day
Multiple matches happened simultaneously, throughout the day, to determine who would go forward to the finals.
Preston Cup Day
A smaller yellow ball, called the jack, is thrown first. The other balls are designed to follow a curving line, and the team with balls nearest the jack win the end.

It was windy day, with occasional showers and so I expect extra concentration was needed.
Preston Cup Day
The Duchess of Sussex  (Meghan Markle) reportedly takes a interest in bowls so others may follow. Abingdon Bowling Club has details about how you can have a go. Friday afternoons / evenings sound the best time to try.

Planning for Natural Flood Defences on the River Ock

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Natural Flood Defences
The Vale of White Horse District Council agreed last week to put £68,075 towards Natural Flood Management upstream on the River Ock.

Natural Flood Management aims is to hold back flood water so that important settlements, like Abingdon, do not get it all at once. The Environment Agency will be able to use the money to employ a project manager to work with land owners along the River Ock catchment. They will identify natural ways to slow down the flow of flood water after a big downpour. This could involve tree planting so the ground can absorb more water, or allowing the river to meander naturally so the water has further to travel.

Presumably this is just the first payment. Once measures have been identified, more money will be needed.

The picture shows the River Ock flowing through Abingdon earlier today.

Shop selling Southeast Asian ingredients

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Udon Thai Market
The Udon Thai Market opened three days ago. It was previously a shop selling ingredients for Southeast Asian cooking. That has not changed but the layout has changed and it feels more open.

There are now three businesses in West St Helen Street that are proud of their Thai connection: Chaba Thai (restuarant), Abingdon Thai Massage, and Udon Thai Market.

Hiroshima Remembered

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Hiroshima Remembered
For over 30 years members of Abingdon Peace Group have held a short vigil on the morning of August 6th remembering the thousands of people killed,maimed and reduced to shadows on the ground when the nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on Aug 6th 1945.
Hiroshima Remembered
Photographs of people remembering the anniversary are sent from Abingdon to Hiroshima to show solidarity. Prayer services, vigils and demonstrations take place around the world on the 6th, and the 9th, when the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.

There are specific reasons in 2019 why these anniversaries should be remembered. In 1987 the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty was signed between the USSR and the USA to reduce the threat of nuclear war. Last Friday President Trump of the USA officially terminated that agreement after 32 years. Today tensions between India and Pakistan, two nuclear powers, are rising with direct rule being imposed by India on the special region of Kashmir.

Thankyou to Peter, Anne, and Tony for the pictures.