Thanks to Steffan for this

We’re a friendly group who have been meeting to play badminton each Wednesday evening for many years. Sadly, numbers have been down recently and we would be very much like some new members to join our group.

It’s much more about fun than competition and we welcome all ages and abilities. We tend to play doubles and use the traditional scoring system.

The sessions are from 8pm to 10pm on Wednesdays at John Mason school sports hall. People tend to arrive and leave when they can (so we normally start playing properly around 8:15). It costs £5 a session or £40 for 10 consecutive sessions, to cover the cost of renting the hall. If you’re interested in joining in, please just turn up.

After a summer closure for strengthening, tiling, and grouting, the indoor pool has re-opened today at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre.

New foundations are being laid to expand the gym building that should be completed in December – part of a £1.7m investment.

In the Community Freespace (opposite Samuels) there was a football display. Oxford City FC were letting people know they give opportunities for people of all ages and abilities who want to play football. For example the Oxford City casuals are a member of the Berks Bucks and Oxfordshire inclusive (BOBi) league that allows disability teams to play each other.

There was a sunny day in town. I noticed a number of rainbow flags in shop windows. The Abingdon rainbow movement has taken off while we were away.

There are rumours that Abingdon Town FC have folded, as they had not re-registered in the North Berks League this season, and the grass is not cut at a time when most teams are playing friendlies before the start of a new season.

The club were founded in 1870, making it the oldest club in Oxfordshire. Until recently they were playing in the semi-professional Isthmian League and the Hellenic League Premier division.

Their Culham Road ground often floods, repeatedly causing damage to floodlights and pitch and buildings. Two years ago they relegated themselves to the North Berks League, to make ends meet. So it could be that has not helped contain costs, and they have called it a day. But we will see.

For more on what could have been Abingdon Town FC’s last match read Laurence Reade’s blog post Fade Out.