Margaret sent this …

The Fridge collects surplus food from local supermarkets and distributes to the community, thus saving tons of food waste. The scheme is going from strength to strength and has moved to a new venue. Everyone is welcome!

New location is Hadland Road Community Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3YH.

New Opening Hours are:
Monday 5 – 6 pm
Thursday 2 – 3 pm
Saturday 10.30 – 11.30 am

The Vale of White Horse District Council has announced a new community lottery, with weekly tickets costing £1.

From each £1 ticket, the news release says, 60p will go towards the player’s chosen local good cause. 20p of the remaining money goes into the central community fund (which the council will distribute to good causes), 17p towards the administration of the lottery, and 3p on VAT. The top prize of £25,000 will go to anybody matching all six numbers. The other prizes are £2,000, £250, £25 or three free tickets.

In a few weeks time the council will invite community groups and charities to get involved. Cllr Margaret Crick, Chair of Vale of White Horse District Council said: ‘It’s been a tough year for many charities and community groups, and so we’re pleased to do what we can to give them a bit of a boost. This is a great way for our residents to give to their very local causes that are important to them and with a chance to win themselves.’

Hundreds of volunteers are on standby to help Abingdon residents through the COVID-19 pandemic as restrictions continue into the winter.

With more than 3,000 acts of kindness already completed, members of Abingdon Coronavirus community response (ACR) are ready to serve the town again.

The group, which was set up in the Spring, provides neighbour-to-neighbour help with shopping, collection of prescriptions and friendly chats.

It is determined to ensure that no-one is forgotten as lockdown lifts next week. The pledge comes as the Government outlined the tiers that areas fall into as restrictions continue until the New Year.

Julie Kemp-Harper from the group, said: “People feel a bit more prepared and supported as a result of the relationships that were built earlier in the year and better provision by supermarkets and other services.

 “However, there’s also much apprehension about managing over the winter and fresh hardships facing all ages, so we plan to carry on over the coming months.”

The group limits what it offers to what you might reasonably expect a neighbour to do and works closely with other Abingdon support agencies.

Many people have family or immediate neighbours to help them out now,  but said Julie: “That doesn’t apply to everyone. By coordinating volunteers across the town at a neighbourhood level we hope that no one will be left out. Sometimes our volunteers are the only friendly face a resident has seen for several days and those friendly chats are so valuable”.

To request help for yourself or a family member fill out our Support Requests form on our website www.abingdoncommunityresponse.org  or email: abingdoncoronaresponse@gmail.com .