Author Archives: Backstreeter

2016 PCC Election

PCC Elections
In the first election for the Thames Valley Police and crime commissioner (PCC) back in 2012 the turnout was 13.3 per cent. That was thought to be disappointing.

The 2016 PCC election is the first election, that I remember, where no literature has been delivered to our door. We will wait and see the turnout with interest.

Tesco Express 2 – five years on

The most comments ever on this blog was in July 2011 for Tesco Express 2
Tesco Express 2
Tesco had taken over the Fitzharris Arms and turned it into a Tesco Express – very close to an existing convenience store called The One Stop.
Tesco Express 2
The Ox pub was just about to go the same way, and become a Tesco Express – next door was another convenience store called Best One.

Five years on both Tesco Extras are still there as are the nearby convenience stores, although Best One is now Bargain Booze.

May Morning with Mr Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris

Like thousands of other people I decided that I would go to hear the May being greeted at Magdalen Tower at 6am on May 1st.
Mr Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris
Afterwards, in Radcliff Square, Mr Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris were performing.

This coming Saturday will be Mr Hemmings Day of Dance when 6 invited sides will join with the Mr Hemmings side in dancing at various venues, in Abingdon, starting at the Market Place. Approximate Schedule:
11am : Market Place
11:30 : Black Swan
12:00 : Punchbowl
1:45: Market Place
2:30pm : Brewery Tap
3:15pm : White Horse
4pm : British Legion

Morris Dancing is first recorded in Abingdon in 1560. A record in St Helens Church has the chamberlain buying “two dossin of Morres belles“.

This is my rather shaky video of the singing at Magdalen Tower. There were barriers preventing people jumping off the bridge. One freelance photographer bemoaned to me the lack of photo opportunities these days.