A new website has been set up, and very soon it will be followed by paper copies showing Whats On in Abingdon.

The intention is to show all that is going on in Abingdon during, what is traditionally, a quieter time of year. But why stop there… Everybody can send in what they are doing to abingdondiary@otcn.co.uk. Hopefully, then it will run and run.

First up on the ‘Whats On’ is an evening with Joanna Trollope at Saint Helen and Katherine School, hosted by Mostly Books.

It’s already too late for a performance of the Bach Christmas Oratorio – last night at Saint Helen’s Church – which Harry and me listened to from the porch for a few minutes, during a dog-walk.

At St Michaels, this is the newly made labyrinth in the style of the ancient Abbey of Abingdon.
Here parishioners are walking the labyrinth under the general guidance of the Revd.. Sally Welch,

a Diocesan adviser on labyrinths, their history, and their potential contribution to the spiritual life..

(Thanks to John again for the pictures and words.)

The road works have already started at the top end of Stratton Way. They will run for another 3 to 4 weeks.

Elsewhere in Stratton Way there is a new church on Sundays from 11 – 12:30 at the NET youth centre. For anybody who has been enjoying watching ‘Around the World in 80 Religions’ this church could be of interest. It had its origin in Nigeria in 1952. They have already set up a church in Barton in Oxford.

The first picture shows Turbeville Close in South Abingdon in July 2007, and was taken by me.

The other pictures are thanks to a young lady who lives in Turbeville. She, her brother, and mum and dad were flooded out for over a year.

This week a meeting is to be held to set up a flood group or groups along the River Ock – depending on response. 900 odd fliers have gone out. The meeting will be…

Date: 22 January 2009
Time: 19:00 – 20:30
Location: 35, Ock Street Community Centre (in front of the Baptist Church).

This meeting is to enable residents to come together to look at ways to respond to the threat of flooding including amelioration measures, arranging community warnings and actions, and emergency planning. And as a group they will be able to get funding and help from councils and other authorities.

There will also be advice on protecting property.

(There is already a longstanding campaigning group called SAFAG – South Abingdon Floodplain Action Group, but as I understand it they are more a pressure group, wheras the new groups will be more about getting people working together at a local level. Another flood group on the River Stert has also been set up.)

Finally the River Ock wending its way to Abingdon tonight, just after the mill, and just before sunset, and secure in its banks.