Frank, a beloved volunteer lock keeper at Abingdon Lock, was surprised and delighted with a celebration in his honour on Sunday. Frank has been an official volunteer lock keeper for the past 10 years, and did a couple of years before that unofficially. He is known for his friendly demeanor and willingness to help. He has the bunting from Sunday as a souvenir and some old photos of when he was a morris dancer.

The event was organized by a group of boaters and drew friends from far and wide. There was face painting, food, drink, music, and karaoke. Frank’s old Morris dancing team came to perform and stayed until late.

Frank had a wonderful time and was particularly amused by the face painting, which many people had done to look like him. “It was a lovely happy day,” he said, “put on by some lovely lovely people.”

The event was a testament to Frank’s popularity and the positive impact he has had on the community. He is a true asset to Abingdon and the Lock.

Thanks to the boaters, Karen and Bret, for the pictures on the day.

Roger Baker has been volunteering for 54 Years at Abingdon’s Oxfam Shop. He is probably the charity’s longest-serving volunteer.

Roger first started volunteering in May 1969, when he was inspired by a talk given by Joe Mitty, the manager of the first Oxfam shop. Mitty had secured the use of the former Boots premises in Abingdon’s high street rent-free and wanted to start a shop there. Baker was one of the first volunteers to sign up.

Over the years, Roger has seen many changes at the Abingdon Oxfam shop. The shop moved to Stert Street in 1971 and to its larger premises in 30-32 Stert Street in 1986. At the start everybody was a volunteer, but now there is a paid manager.

His particular job is treasurer, but being on the end of the phone and being retired – he was a Physics teacher, he will go down and do anything if he is free. He can work on the till, sort new Oxfam goods, do the washing up, or anything.

“It’s still a great place to volunteer, and very varied” he says. “It’s a chance to make a difference to the lives of others.”

Airey Neave, a former Member of Parliament for Abingdon, is buried with his wife, Diana, in the churchyard extension of St Margaret’s Church in Hinton Waldrist, Oxfordshire. The churchyard is located a few miles from Abingdon.

Shortly after Airey Neave’s death, his widow was named Baroness Airey of Abingdon.