The pictures for this 2006 calendar of images of Abingdon were taken back in February 2005. People were given a simple single use camera and told to capture Abingdon (and nearby). From top left, clockwise we have:

• The Dorchester Lagoon
• The weir with
• the churchyard in Little Wittenham beneath
• St Helens Wharf
• Queen Victoria in the Abbey Grounds
• The rainbow bridge, Northmoor
• Conduit Road sign
• Sophos building
• The church in Sutton Courtney
• The gateway by Long Alley almshouse
• The Monday Market
• St Nicholas Church

And this month of September (you can see we avidly cross off the days) shows the Queen Victoria Statue.

Local historian, Nigel Hamond begins the new series of lunch time lectures at St Nicholas Church today. His theme is “Distinguished Old-Abingdonians.” It is free and begins at 12:30 p.m.

Here are a list of distinguished Abingdonians who did not have the chance to grow old.

They gave their lives in the Great War. Press the image to read the names or read them at the war memorial.

As far as I can tell, Christ Church is just a load of old barns off Northcourt Road. They have been purchased over the years. Initially the local people making up the church bought a derelict 12th Century Tithe Barn and converted it into a church.

Then they added a hall next door to act as a church hall, and as an overspill area to the main church. I haven’t been to a service at Christ Church since the days when David Bryant was the curate (circa 1990). He went on to teach at a college training would-be-vicars where the BBC did a fly on the wall TV documentary which heavily featured David Bryant judging whether these would-be-vicars had that X-Factor.

Back then in 1990 the hall served as an overflow area with CCTV links. It was that popular!

And it still appears to be popular, despite the change of ministers.

They have a brand of up-to-date worship music and evangelical outreach. You would hardly think they were Church of England, and they have more to them than just being ‘happy-clappy’.

More recently they have purchased other medieaval barns and building that belonged to a dairy, and are gradually putting them to community use. Some of the buildings have been renovated for use as a kindergarten, youth rooms and band practise, stores, offices, meeting rooms etc…

They have even set up a satellite church in the primary school on the Long Furlong estate.

Smiths is our local chemist (pharmacy).

The small shopfront does not tell the full story. Think Doctor Who and the Tardis!

Inside, the shop stretches back past a perfumery counter, and shelves with cosmetics towards natural remedy shelves, elastoplasts, non-prescription drugs, and then the counter where people in white coats administer prescription drugs. Local doctors will send prescriptions to the chemist of your choice.

At the side, behind Conways opthalmic opticians Smiths have expanded to where they keep babies nappies, shampoo and the like.