Author Archives: Backstreeter

Clubs and Societies – 1

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For anybody who did not manage to get to the Clubs and Societies Day, here is a round up some of the stalls I did get round. There will be 3 or 4 a day for the next few days.
The Vale Islanders
The Vale Islanders is a group of dancers and musicians who perform English country dances of the Seventeenth Century in the costume of the period.
Abbey Sailing Club
The Abbey Sailing Club is a small, family friendly sailing club with a great social side and an informal and friendly atmosphere. They run handicap races on Sundays and Wednesday evenings.
Oxfordshire IVC
The Oxfordshire IVC Social events group is there to kickstart your social life, whether you are new to the area, or want to get out more. Activities include such things as: guided walks, Indian meals. Pudding Clubs, pub social evenings, Motown and Northern Soul disco, jazz nights, Point To Point racing – whatever other members organise.
Alzheimer's Society
The Alzheimer’s Society provide day care and support for people with dementia at the day centre in the Health and Wellbeing Centre off Audlett Drive in Abingdon from 9:30am-3:30pm.

A Day for Shakespeare, Abingdon Societies, and Saint George!

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Shakespeare
Mostly Books were celebrating Shakespeare today on the 400th anniversary of The Bard’s death.
Shakespeare
At the Clubs and Societies Day, at the Old Abbey Buildings, Abingdon Drama Club were there. The last Shakespeare they  performed was Henry V in 2014.

Henry V Act 3 Scene 1 – The speech begins with ‘Once more unto the breach, dear friends‘, and ends
… I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!‘
St Georges Day
The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were dancing round the town centre on St Georges Day. They danced at various pubs, then made a visit to the Clubs and Society Day before going to the beer festival at the Nag’s Head.
St Georges Day
The Scouts were there too. Baden-Powell chose Saint George to be the Patron Saint of Scouts.

More about the Clubs and Societies Day soon.

Happy 90th Birthday Ma’am – Part 2

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The Town Crier could be heard through the day announcing the Queen;s 90th brithday. Thanks to Lesley for this picture.
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People gathered on Abingdon Market Place this evening before the beacon lighting.
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It was not as big an event as the bun throwing on 11th June (The Queen’s Official Birthday). Roads were not closed. Local people could find a place on the Market Place, and even watch from the comfort of a seat.
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The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Helen Pighills, lit the beacon flame above the County Hall at around 8:30 pm. Other beacons were lit across the country to celebrate the Queens 90th Birthday. Thanks to Elizabeth for sending this picture.
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Colin covered the event on his famous twitter feed The Abingdon Taxi.
‘..and as the beacon was lit above The Bing, a chorus of Happy Birthday started up in one corner of Market Place..’
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Meanwhile over the River Thames, near Nags Head Island, Rob send me a picture of balloons being blown up. There is more than one way to celebrate a birthday.

Happy 90th Birthday Ma’am

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It is almost 60 years since the Queen opened the restored County Hall in the popular Thameside resort of Abingdon, and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the event.
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Back then Abingdon had a Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses. Nowadays there is a Mayor and Councillors.
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On the eve of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday, three of Abingdon’s Charity Shops have 90th birthday displays:

Helen and Douglas House.
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Cancer Research UK
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and Sue Ryder.

There will be a lighting of the Beacon on the County Hall Roof – Thursday, 21 April 2016 – 8:30pm.