Author Archives: Backstreeter

Abingdon Rowing Club hold annual Spring Head of the River time trials

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Rowing
The Abingdon Rowing Club chose the warmest day of the year for the annual Spring Head of the River time trials. Boats were put into the River Thames at the landing stages alongside Rye Farm Meadows.

Lots of people were there to enjoy the spectacle and the sunshine.
Rowing
The rowers then rowed under Abingdon Bridge, and beside St helen’s Church, to the start at Culham Reach, passing the finish along the way.
Rowing
There was rowing throughout the day as rowers were divided into four divisions. So at most times there were rowers either rowing to the start, or racing to the finish.

They started in the wilds of Culham.
Rowing
They passed the woody area of the Marina Park.
Rowing
Then came into the blue stretch alongside Abingdon Rowing Club.
Rowing
Back at Rye Farm Meadow there were refreshment tents serving burgers and hot dogs.
Rowing
Then another batch of 80 boats set off for the start.
Rowing
An excellent job was done by the stewards keeping order, and allowing other motor boats to come through during the gaps between racing.

Abingdon Horticultural Society – Spring Show 2017

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Horticultural
There were colourful displays of flowers and plants at the Abingdon Horticultural Society – Spring Show, in the Northcourt Centre this afternoon.

In the main hall, many early flowers were displayed and judged by category. Most of the daffodils are faded outside, but exhibitors had managed to keep some daffodils at their peak for the show.
Horticultural
Also on display were works of art and craft; pictures of the Best Spring Gardens, three of which had been given prizes; and a selection of photographs on a Spring Theme.
Horticultural
Then in the back room were displays of preserves and cakes, and a few entries for the children’s classes: decorated eggs,  paintings on a Spring theme, and Easter nests.

Coffee and tea and cake were also available, and after looking around the show, people were sitting outside enjoying the spring sunshine.

Abingdon Operatic, Wide River Load, and Tombola

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Saturday AM
In town this morning there was a display in the Community Space, and people handing out leaflets, for the upcoming Abingdon Operatic Society production of Annie (18th-22nd April at the Amey Theatre).
Saturday AM
Such a lovely morning. On the River Thames there was a wide load being transported slowly upstream, driven by a small outboard motor, and accompanied by other craft..
Saturday AM
It contained the main landing stage and various pontoons and picnic tables for tomorrow’s Head of the River rowing event.
Saturday AM
Last year, the event had to be called off because the current was too strong, and Abingdon Rowing Club could not navigate this wide load safely under Abingdon Bridge.
Saturday AM
Also in town was a tombola raising funds for one of the local political parties. Pictured here, with the ticket 680 prize, is Pat Lonergan, the Town Councillor with the current longest unbroken term of office – he was first elected in 2003.

Urban Folk Quartet at the Unicorn

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Folk
There was a full house at the Unicorn for the Urban Folk Quartet – a band full of inventiveness, humour and virtuosity.
Folk
They played music with many global influences.

One of the musicians stopped the encore number to say he had dreamed that the audience in Abingdon would jump out of their seats during the encore, and on cue they did, and carried on jumping.

This was put on by Music at the Unicorn.