Author Archives: Backstreeter

Science and Rowing – upcoming events

2 Replies

ATOM
On the Market Place yesterday there was a single gazebo publicising the ATOM Festival of Science Technology.

Next Saturday there will be a dozen, possibly eighteen stalls, with free science activities in the open air. There will also be a variety of talks and science activities from 22nd to 26th March. All can be seen on the ATOM Website.
Rowing
Meanwhile down on the River Thames members of the Abingdon Rowing Club were out checking the course for the upcoming Abingdon Spring Head on Sunday 9th April. It is a great spectacle when rowers race the 2000 metres from Culham Reach to Wilsham Road in a mass time trial. They start at the following times:
Division 1 – 09.30
Division 2 – 11.45
Division 3 – 14.00
Division 4 – 16.15
You can watch from either bank.

South Abingdon Children’s Centre Celebration

30 Replies

South Abingdon Childrens Centre
This afternoon there was a party to celebrate the work of the South Abingdon Children’s Centre.
South Abingdon Childrens Centre
The Children’s Centre has been a place where children up to five, and their familes, can find a variety of activities, play, information and support from professionals working in a wide range of fields.
South Abingdon Childrens Centre
At the party were Morris Dancers, and staff, Carbon Cutters, and volunteers, along with many familes that have used the facilities.

South Abingdon Childrens Centre
The Children’s Centre opened about sixteen years ago as a replacement for the Family Centre on Saxton Road. It is recognised that there has always been the need for such a place in this part of town to give children a good start in life.

Budget cuts mean that the County Council are now strictly targeting families at risk, and Children’s Centres across Oxfordshire are closing.
South Abingdon Childrens Centre
It is yet to be seen how the South Abingdon Children’s Centre will find new life. The Green Man recited a poem about new life from old, and the phoenix rising from the ashes. The future could be as a part of Caldecott School with a charity group running part of the premises. That is still being worked on.

Abrail 2017

1 Reply

Abrail 2017
At the Tennis and Leisure centre in Audlett Drive this evening (Friday) the first exhibitors were starting to set up the. Abingdon Model Railway Show which hits town fully tomorrow.
Abrail 2017
This is a big show with twenty different railway layouts, and a lot of trade stalls for anyone interested in modelling. The crowded picture above is from 2009.

Before, During and After photos of Old Gaol

9 Replies

Old Gaol
Brian worked in the Bridge Street Offices before the Old Goal re-development. His office window was furthest left on the top floor overlooking the backwater toward the Chandlery.
Old Gaol
He has sent a before, during and after photo of the Old Gaol taken from the Abingdon bridge. This was prompted by a comment that Newcomer made a few days ago.
Old Gaol
Brian used to look out on Grebes, Moorhens and an abundance of other wildlife.