Abingdon has a prime location for rowing on the River Thames, with the stretch from Culham to Abingdon.

In Victorian times regattas were popular events hosted by the Abingdon Town Rowing Club. The club seems to have disappeared by 1900, or at least it disappeared from newspapers.

The Abingdon Rowing Club was re-established in 1958, with some early help from Abingdon (Roysse’s) School, for whom rowing was a well established sport.

I took these shots this morning. The boats from Abingdon Rowing Club were turning at St Helen’s Wharf to row back down the river.

The club has gone from strength to strength. On the Abingdon Rowing Club website it says, there is training, between 1 and 6 days a week, for all ages. The annual Spring Head rowing event is scheduled for Sunday 14th April 2019.

On Saturday morning, members of Abingdon Drama Club (ADC) set out on their eighth annual walk to Oxford along the River Thames Path.
I last saw them as the headed down a path less traveled below Barton Fields.

Kevin, the walk leader, sent me this picture at the King’s Arms at Sandford Lock. He said“The clouds parted a little later and it became another hot and sunny day”.

“Stopping points on the way were Radley boat house for a swig of water, the King’s Arms at Sandford Lock and the Isis just after Iffley Lock both for something a bit stronger.”

Next year will see the ninth annual ADC walk. 2019 will also be ADC’s 75th Anniversary year. I asked whether “The Two Angry Women of Abingdon” was their first production. “It was the first play we performed at the Unicorn Theatre,” Kevin replied, “Our first play was ‘London Wall’.”

The 30th Abingdon Beavers Scouts, aged 6 and 7, have been volunteering. They have been putting their promise into action “I promise to do my best,To be kind and helpful..” by working with the community Abingdon Food Bank.

The Abingdon Foodbank visited the Beaver Scouts in September and ran an evening to understand why the foodbank is needed, how it works and what type of food is best to donate to help create balanced meals. After this visit, the Beaver Scouts have been doing good deeds and being kind and helping during the last few months to earn items to donate to the Abingdon Foodbank before Christmas including a few extra Christmas treat items. The Abingdon Foodbank visited last week to pick up all the donations from the Beaver Scouts.

The Beavers also took park in Parliament Week in the middle of November. The meeting hall was set up like parliament in Westminster.

Abingdon Town Councillor, Samantha Bowring talked with the Beavers about why and how local and national decisions are taken and how she was inspired to become a Councillor to help improve the local parks.

Beavers formed their own opinions on subjects, such as whether school uniform was a good idea then came up with ideas for the Beaver meeting the week after.

Three ideas were voted on using a secret ballot. Sledging in the dark was chosen and the Beavers went grass sledging in the dark the week after with the sledges lit up with fairy lights.

To allow these types of Scouting adventures to continue to inspire local boys and girls, aged between 6 to 14, we are in need of new volunteers in Abingdon, especially for Scouts. Scouts are aged 10 to 14.

Scout Leaders facilitate a wide range of adventurous activities. No one individual is likely to have the complete set of skills required to run an effective Scout Troop. Teamwork is key, and all the support you need is there in abundance at Group, District, County and National level. A great part of helping Scouts is seeing them develop into well-rounded teenagers. Contact the Group Scout Leader gsl@30thabingdon.org.uk for more information.

(Thankyou to Avril for this report and all the volunteers who keep the scouts going.)

Premature leaf fall caused by the Horse-chestnut Leaf Miner has given an early autumn look in some places like these trees overlooking the Abingdon Vale Cricket Club.

The cricket season is over. Abingdon Vale beat Tiddington by 7 Wickets in their last match.

The Caravan Club season must also be drawing to a seasonal close.

Members of Thames Valley Croquet Club lined up for lunch at their Annual Barbecue on Friday 15th September at the Abingdon Vale Cricket Club, and  after a lunch had a few games of golf croquet. But they are not stopping there …

The Croquet Club play throughout the year, on Mondays and Fridays 1.30pm – 4.30pm in the Summer and 11am – 2.30pm in Winter. For more details, please give Mike a ring on 01235203082 or drop in to the Club and make yourself known. Membership fees are modest.