The Abingdon & District Volunteer Centre (ADVC) celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The organisation provides transport for elderly and frail clients to appointments at hospitals, medical surgeries, and dental centres in Abingdon and the surrounding area. The first phone call for assistance was received on 20th November 1973.

Volunteer drivers and booking volunteers gathered for a celebratory meal, joined by the Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Councillor Gwyneth Lewis. The Mayor thanked them for their service, noting that her mother was one of the organisation’s earliest drivers and that she, as a doctor, understands the importance of their work.

Drivers said they enjoy meeting so many interesting people through their volunteer work.

Those interested in volunteering can contact ADVC at 01235 522438 (weekdays 10:00-12:30) or visit their Facebook page: Abingdon drivers. They are a friendly group and you would be made very welcome.

ADVC is a non-profit organisation, and its charges are significantly lower than taxi services. Drivers also wait for clients and bring them home again, providing a seamless and appreciated service.

The Oxford & District Woodcarvers is a club for woodcarvers of all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced. The club has been running for 18 years and was founded by Brian Eastoe. Since Brian’s retirement, Jeff Wheeler has taken over as tutor.

This week, the club has exhibited and demonstrated wood carving in Unit 24, Bury Street, Abingdon, and has stimulated interest in the very ancient art and craft of wood carving. Wood carving demands both artistic and manual skills. One of the members was telling me that it is a collaborative process between the carver and the wood to reveal what is hidden inside.

The club meets on Thursday evenings between 7.00 and 9.00 pm during term time at John Mason School, Abingdon.

This evening, the White Horse Phab Club celebrated its 38th birthday, a week late due to the illness, last week, of two of the club’s most important members, Barbara and Nigel Carter.

Barbara and Nigel are the parents of David Carter, who founded the club 38 years ago to provide a place for people with disabilities to socialise and have fun. David is no longer with us, but Barbara and Nigel continue to run the club with the help of others, such as Colin, Sarah, Lorraine, and Sylvia.

The club is held every Thursday at Christ Church Hall, and on Saturday, the members will take their annual outing to the Isle of Wight.

Phab Clubs are a place where disabled and non-disabled people come together to socialise, have fun, and build lifelong friendships.

The former Samuels shop in the Bury Street precinct has been transformed into a community free space. It is organised by the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society and allows community groups in Abingdon to showcase their activities.

The space opened during Heritage Open Weekend and some of the heritage displays still remain, such as the Abingdon Artists’ Historic Buildings, and aerial photographs of Abingdon.

The Abingdon Carbon Cutters, are in the shop this week, pressing apples and pasteurising apple juice using apples brought in by Abingdon residents.

On Saturday, Abingdon PCSO’s were also in there, and have left a display on keeping yourself and your property safe.

Another shop window in Abingdon has been used for a community display since September. Madrina are a charity who help young people who could not otherwise afford it, to go to their school or college prom.