This morning, there was a crowd outside Cancer Research UK where people had the chance to hold one of the Olympic torches. The torches are still doing the rounds as Team GB exceed our expectations. Team GB won three Gold Medals on the first major evening of track finals. Team GB also won a cycling gold and two rowing golds.
But despite all those amazing golds, one things did not change: Team GB lost in the football on penalties.
Now that there is no longer any scaffolding to be seen round the County Hall, the Punch Bowl is taking its turn to use some.
There is a “Business as Usual” sign above the “Celebrate the London 2012 Olympics Here With Coca Cola”.
The Team GB merchandise could well have started to fly off the shelves by now.
There was a slow start medal-wise – the newspapers had begun to worry mid-week. For example, The Sun printed a large Gold Medal with the words “Wanted Gold Medal. Historic bronze for our brilliant gymnasts but please, can we have just one gold. Any sport. We’re not bothered. As soon as possible. Please, COME ON TEAM GB!”
Oh we of little faith!!! There has been quite a turn round since then led by rowing and cycling.
As well as the Fire Station Book Sale there were plenty more books on the Market Place on the St Nics Church stall, alongside plants, cakes, and a White Elephant’s Stall. On a day like this they had no need of Gazebos.
There was also a cake stall run by the Vineyard Church Youth Club, and the Abingdon Concert Band were entertaining all comers.
2012 is turning out to be a memorable year not just in Abingdon …
Bradley Wiggins has just won the Tour de France. I could find no real Abingdon connection with this momentous event apart from an article about Abingdon’s Tour de France in May 2010. (Abingdon is the house name of the pre-school at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury, and as part of their French week they did a Tour de France round the classroom on trikes. “Going through the mountains was very tricky” said Ethan “As you had to slow down!”)
I did see a report recently about the inter school olympics in Abingdon.
Another less publicised event, last weekend, was the church olympics in the Albert Park – where St Helen’s, St Nicolas and St Michael’s churches held a picnic and Olympics challenge in Albert Park.
The Rector of Abingdon, the Revd Dr Charles Miller, can be seen trying his hand at the javelin.
There was also a picture of Clare, the Revd Jane Baun and Tony from St Nicolas Church sharing a high-five after winning silver in the jug-of-water race.
Thanks to Tony, for the report. He says “The sun shone.”