The Clubs and Societies event took place in several rooms of the Guildhall, with the busiest being the Roysse Room.

The ATOM Science Festival runs from 15th to 26th March, offering a range of events celebrating science and innovation. This year’s Peagram Lecture will feature Prof. Tony Hey talking about the historical and scientific significance of Einstein, Bohr, and Bell. Mark Simmonds will give a talk on the Whale-Human Interface. On Saturday, 15th March, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, the the ATOM Science Market will be in Abingdon Market Place.  To find out more about these and other events visit Atom Science Festival.

I was reminded by the Rotary club of Abingdon that the world Poohsticks championship will be in May and this could your chance to become a world champion. Not a lot of training is involved. They would also like to get people to help at the gate of the Abingdon Air and Country Show on 14th June.

The Abingdon Drama Club brought out of retirement a papier-mâché horse, usually displayed in their clubhouse window. It was created by Malcolm Ross, who has made many other props. It originally featured in their 2017 production of Portia Coughlan, and its name is … (‘sorry I can’t read my handwriting’). Their next play will be Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh, running from 26th to 29th March, directed by their chairman, Terry Atkinson.

Mr. Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris Dancers were also present, keeping the town’s folk traditions alive. They are looking for new members to keep them alive even longer.

Today (Thursday 6th February 2025), on passing Unit 24, Bury Street, I took a moment to check out the window displays. There are two big displays:

* A reminder that the consultation for the Abingdon-on-Thames Neighbourhood Plan closes on February 10th.

* Generations of John Mason School students will remember Welsh Farm in West Wales — home to bog-hopping, waterfall adventures, and gold panning. But with its natural water source drying up, the farm needed £15,000 for a borehole. Thanks to generous donors, they’ve raised £16,270 so far.

Beyond these, the other windows are full of A4 posters with local events and initiatives, including:

Get Active:
* Abibinit Litter Picks
* Walking Football (age 55+)
* Thursday Gentle Walks from Preston Road Community Centre (10:30 am)
* Ride Revolution – restoring bikes for disadvantaged children
* groups such as Chair Yoga and Strong and Stable at Unit 42

Community & Wellbeing:
* Men’s Support Group at Keystone Mental Health (Bury Street)
* Abingdon Compassionate Café
* Mind: One Step at a Time – coping strategies workshop

Community & Culture:
* Stonehill Community Garden Open Day
* The Abingdon Girl Guide groups
* West End Allotments – full and half plots available
* Abingdon Fitzharris WI (2nd Tuesday, Northcourt Centre, 1:30 pm)
* One Planet Abingdon – sustainability initiatives
* Dawn the Talking Newspaper
* The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes – an ancient fraternity

Upcoming Events:
Long Furlong Funday – 18th Feb
Councillor Nathan’s Talk: Health, Climate & Oxfordshire’s Future – 19th Feb
Abingdon Artists Spring Exhibition – 10th-15th March
ATOM Science Festival – 15th-26th March
Abingdon Beer Festival – 25th-27th April

Nigel Carter, the organiser of the Phab (Physically Handicapped Able Bodied) club, along with his wife Barbara, recently celebrated his 80th birthday. To mark the occasion, their son Paul organised a special evening of karaoke, followed by a party spread.

The club is held in Christchurch hall. The festivities continued in the church, where the male voice choir rehearse at the same time as Phab every Thursday evening. The choir sang a medley ending with “Happy Birthday” .

Nigel expressed his gratitude to the choir and shared a personal anecdote or two and then revealed that he is half Welsh (he couldn’t say which half, upper or lower).

He then had the privilege of choosing a song to be performed in his honour and selected the Welsh hymn, “Calon Lân” which the choir sang beautifully.

At Unit 24, the Abingdon Community Shop, woodcarvers are in residence from October 29 to November 2. One member described the need of patience, recounting how he sets a modest goal for each Thursday when the group meet at John Mason School: to carve out a small segment of a sculpture or focus solely on sanding down one intricate area. ‘It’s therapeutic,’ he said. ‘It less about finishing and more about engaging with each step.’

This exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and members are showcasing some of their pieces. Projects are underway in the shop, allowing visitors to watch the process.

Members are always happy to chat and tell you more. They are on the look out for new members, and have as many women as men.

Their website is https://oxfordwoodcarving.co.uk/.