There are plenty of ways to volunteer in Abingdon and today, Friday, there was an opportunity to find out about some of them, all under the Rococo ceiling of the Roysse Room.

Abingdon Town Council organised the Volunteer Recruitment Day in the Guildhall, bringing together local organisations looking for volunteers. The idea was to give people the chance to talk directly to the organisations themselves.

A dozen organisations were represented, from children’s charities and youth groups to environmental groups, disability support, advice services and community organisations.

Here are the ones I spotted:

• Abingdon Good Neighbours — volunteers can provide companionship and practical help.
• Abingdon Sea Cadets, Girlguiding and Thames Ridge Scouts — adult volunteers help run these different groups and support the young people.
• ARCh – Assisted Reading for Children — volunteers work with children individually.
• Citizens Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice.
• Flexicare provides a sitting service for families with disabled children.
• Helen & Douglas House — an Oxfordshire children’s hospice. Volunteers can help in a variety of ways, including charity shops, fundraising and events.
• My Life My Choice supports people with learning disabilities to have greater choice and control over their lives.
• One Planet Abingdon promotes more sustainable ways of living.
• Oxfam — volunteers at the Abingdon shop can help with sorting and displaying donated goods, serving customers and the general running of the shop.
• 35 Ock Street provides a welcoming community space. Volunteers help run the café.

Most people visited the new Shed Space at Ferry Walk in Abingdon earlier in the morning.

Someone was explaining bike maintenance, while others were inside the shed furnishing it. A representative from the Vale of White Horse District Council’s Active Communities team was also present, offering coffee and cake and taking details from people interested in getting involved. Active Communities run a range of projects that promote activity and wellbeing, including the nature trails around South Abingdon.

The painted sea container, beside the shed, was decorated by young people from the DAMASCUS Youth Project. The mural includes a hedgehog and a dragonfly, both used as symbols on the local nature trails. Inside were bicycles donated through the Ride Revolution scheme. These bikes have been refurbished and will be given to families or individuals in need.

The Shed Space offers a place for woodwork and metalwork, bike maintenance, and other hands-on activities.

The site was previously overgrown and unused for some time and has now been cleared. There could be plans for the area in front of the shed to be marked out so children can learn road safety away from traffic.

Thanks to Nathan for three of the pictures.

Trustees at St Ethelwold’s House says a midwinter surge in donations has meant the appeal has reached £72,000, securing the future of the building.

There are still a few events and pledges to come, so the Fund will remain open until 31 January, when final figures will be confirmed.

Any additional money raised will help rebuild reserves after meeting the final costs of repairing the rotten timbers. Trustees says the level of generosity has exceeded expectations and will allow the work to be completed with confidence for the future.

Coming in just before Christmas, with the fund raising indicator, reminded me of the indicators for the Blue Peter Christmas appeals is the 1970s when lots of children collected old newspapers, used postage stamps, or aluminium foil to be turned into cash for life boats, children’s charities and emergency appeals.

It has been an inspiring time, hearing why St Ethelwold’s is appreciated in Abingdon. Trustees says they will continue to care for the house, the garden and the spirit of the place, so they can be cherished by future generations.

They look forward to inviting everyone to celebrate soon.

At Preston Road Community Centre there were several activities taking place during the day. In the small hall the lace makers were at work, while a health group met in the medium hall. As evening approached and these groups finished, volunteers arrived to bring in food for the Foodbank Christmas hampers, which are distributed this Wednesday. Supplies were brought over from the depot at Christ Church and also from Waitrose.

Later on, the medium hall was taken over by Tuesday night prize bingo. The no-cash prizes were laid out in advance and included hampers, some alcohol, and a wide range of other items.

The evening went well, although there was a moment of confusion with the bingo calling machine. It displays two numbers: the number to call on the right, and the count of numbers called so far on the left. After announcing the next prize in one game, with the line already won, Bob announced the full house prize on the green ticket as ‘a beech serving board’. He added, ‘It is a big one,’ holding it up, which prompted some interesting replies. Shortly afterwards, he began reading out ’30, 31′ — the count of numbers — rather than the bingo numbers themselves, before realising what had gone wrong. Jill came through from counting the money to help get things back on track. Jill is the more experienced caller.

At the halfway break there was free party food and a drink for everyone. That was followed by more games and then a free Christmas game to win a convector heater. The evening then moved on to the raffle and cash prizes.

Bob rounded things off by telling a Christmas joke:
‘Why do you never see Father Christmas in hospital? Because he has a private elf service.’

He then wished everyone a Merry Christmas and said he looked forward to seeing them all again in the New Year.