Category Archives: community groups

The Northcourt Centre and “The Northcourt”

Northcourt Centre
At the Northcourt Centre, on Northcourt Road, a lot of the user groups had stalls for a big get together and fund raising afternoon. They included the Abingdon Peace Group who cannot see the reason for renewing Trident when times are hard and our money could be better spent.
Northcourt Centre
There was a colourful display put on by the Abbey Quilters (who meet monthly first Tuesday in the month during the day) and by the Fitzharry’s Quilters (who meet on 4th Tuesday of the month in the evening.) There also seemed to be 2 or 3 different W.I.s, an art group, Scottish Country Dancers, Tap and Ballet classes, the Abingdon Horticultural Society, and possibly quite a few other groups.

They were raising funds for improving the centre.
Northcourt Centre
As part of the same afternoon’s fund raising event there was an Open Garden nearby. £5 got you entry, and tea and cakes, and the chance to help the Northcourt Centre financially. The weather could not have been better.
Northcourt Centre
The bees loved the lavender.
The Northcourt
Meanwhile, close by, at “The Northcourt”, home of Abingdon United FC and Oxford United WFC, there was a game in progress.
The Northcourt
A lot of people were there to see mid table Oxford United go down fighting to top of the table Doncaster Belles.

After the recent very successful World Cup Campaign, some of the Lionesses, who gained England third pace, will be coming to The Northcourt…. Fran Kirby, or England’s “mini Messi” as she was dubbed by manager Mark Sampson, will be there when Reading visit on August 9th. More info at oxfordunitedwfc.co.uk

Green Gym digging up Thistles

Thickets of Thistles
The Green Gym were out  last weekend digging up thistles from the newly created wild flowers area in the Abbey Meadows.
Thickets of Thistles
They came with thick gloves to uproot the prickly thistles.
Thickets of Thistles
Thousands of thistles were taken down and disposed of.

The Green Gym will be promoting their activities at Fun in The Park next weekend, then tackling Himalayan Balsam for most of the rest of June. Their website and full programme is available here.

The Community Ambassador for Abingdon on Radio Oxford

Community Ambassador
The Community Ambassador for Abingdon was interviewed on the BBC Oxford Kat Orman show. Dave was appointed a year ago by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) to help the voluntary and community groups in Abingdon. OCVA help put volunteers and people wanting to volunteer together, and are there to offer advice and networking and training for community groups.

The picture shows Dave with Kat Orman in the studio. Also there is Linda Bains (Community Ambassador for Wantage and Grove).

You can hear the interview at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02n542n#playt=1h09m37s

AGM of Abingdon Hydro

AGM of Abingdon Hydro
The AGM (Annual General Meeting) of Abingdon Hydro takes place this Friday evening. There are 370 members of this community enterprise, so far, who have invested £675,000 in the scheme to generate electricity from the water at Abingdon Weir. More funding is still required, and the share offer has been extended

The next few months are likely to be crucial with some important decisions to be taken. The intention is to build the Hydro in 2015 to generate electricity.

During the AGM new Directors will be elected to join existing Directors; the annual accounts will be approved; and there will be a chance to ask questions.