Author Archives: Backstreeter

New Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames for 2017/18

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Mayor Making
The Mayor Making began in a non-traditional way – Mr Hemmings Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers have now been joined by some young ladies.
Mayor Making
For the second year in a row the ceremony took place at St Helens Church, and Reverend Paul Smith began and ended the Mayor Making with some prayers.
Mayor Making
Abingdon Town Band played music before, during and after the ceremony.
Mayor Making
The new Mayor is Jan Morter – a well known councillor, and music teacher in these parts.
Mayor Making
Alice Badcock, the previous Mayor, is seen here with some past Mayors (from left to right) … Lorraine Oates (2007-8), Alice Badcock(2016-17), Julie Mayhew-Archer (1997-8), Helen Pighills(2015-16), Jeanette Halliday (1998-9). And behind them Duncan Brown(2010-11) with child, and Samantha Bowring(2013-14).
Mayor Making
The new Deputy Mayor is Margaret Crick – a very hard working councillor.
Mayor Making
Nigel Warner, our excellent Town Clerk, officiated, and is seen here watching as Margaret signs the oath of office.
Mayor Making
The Mayor Making is conducted as a ceremonial Council Meeting, where: Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs, for the next year, are all voted in.
Mayor Making
At the end everybody was invited to the South Aisle for a drink. This is the official photographer who will send pictures to the papers and post some on The Abingdon Facebook page.

Europe Day 2017 – being celebrated in Abingdon

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Thanks to Peter and Anne for reminding us that today is Europe Day
Europe Day
The first picture is from Europe Day 2009 outside Old Abbey House. The next 2 pictures are from 2006 when visitors from all the twin towns came to Abingdon. Peter Says …
Europe Day
Today is Europe Day ! Europe Day is a celebration of peace and unity in Europe and is celebrated on May 9th each year as this day remembers the historical Schuman Declaration of May 9th 1950 which was the start of European unity. ( Europe Day is sometimes called Schuman day.)
Europe Day
ADTTS, The Abingdon twin towns society, celebrates Europe Day each year on May 9th. We think that with Brexit being continually in the news it is even more important than ever to celebrate Europe Day so tonight we will be meeting in the upstairs room of the Kings Head & Bell Pub for a meal on a European theme. The menu will incorporate dishes from our twin towns in France, Germany , Belgium & Italy and we will be toasting our friends in our twin towns and friends in all the European countries.

Glory to God in the High st

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When Revd. Kevin Watson, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, visited Trinity Church at the weekend he noticed Abingdon had a restaurant called ASK.
Glory to God
Revd. Kevin’s first talk was about working with the elderly. He goes all around the country and one church group for the elderly he visited was called ASK – ‘Alive and Still Kicking.’ So he started his talk telling us about them.
Glory to God
On Sunday morning he visited Trinity, this time in his robes, and told us about another church he had visited that wanted to invite everybody in the town to celebrate one of the big national events. They put up a large banner to let people know they were open with words known from the Christmas story. The night before the event was very windy and the banner blew about. It rained and Revd. Kevin tore a letter away …
Glory to God
So after church I took some pictures. Here is Abingdon High Street looking towards the County Hall.
Glory to God
Here is the High Street from the County Hall.
Glory to God
Again, here is the High Street from the County Hall. “Glory to God in the High St.”

Artweeks – First Sunday

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It was a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon for exploring Abingdon and Radley at the start of Oxfordshire Artweeks.
Artweeks
We started our tour at a house at the end of Abbot Road, in Abingdon, with views towards the trees of Boxhill Walk.
Artweeks
There were a dozen different artists with works on display, known as the “popup art collective“. Pictured above is Clare Davis with works inspired by rock formations and fossils, made with stitched and painted calico and paper.
Artweeks
They had exhibited for the first time in 2016, and were a real joy for us to discover today in 2017.
Artweeks
Next we set off to Lower Radley, following the art weeks signs.
Artweeks
Three different print makers, from the Oxford Printmakers Co-operative, had works on display. It was very interesting to hear all three talk about the different techniques they used.
Artweeks
There were also refreshments served from the studio of Susan Wheeler, one of the exhibitors. Her linocut prints are very well known in these parts.Artweeks
We were cycling home when we saw another art weeks sign pointing to site 60.
Artweeks
John Huddleston, Silversmith had a display of his work at site 60. There were examples of jewellery for sale, and examples of commissions he has undertaken – including one for St Helens Church.

John also teaches working with silver to the Abingdon Silver Group who meet at John Mason School.
Artweeks
He was a scientist working at Harwell. He sometimes rides an old moped he bought and painted in his teenage years. The blue paint is starting to peel but the moped can still reach 30 mph with a strong wind behind.

There are many more exhibitors in this area so look forward to finding some more.