At St Michael and All Angels Church last Saturday there was an art and craft fair together with a jumble sale

There were lots of stalls and every corner was taken. Even the font served as a display area for clothes and bags.

You could guess the name of the bear to win a bear, and guess where Reverend Paul Smith was hidden on a grid of the church and win a box of biscuits. I did not see Paul who must be extra busy these days now Revd Charles Millar has moved away.

Handbell ringers provided musical enjoyment, and a representative from Flexicare shared his story. As the parent of a disabled child, he was grateful for the organisation’s trained sitters, who enable parents to attend events and outings like school meetings or the cinema. He now volunteers for Flexicare, who help families within a ten-mile radius of Oxford, including Abingdon. Half the money raised from the event went to Flexicare, and half to church funds.

Ride and Stride takes place on the second Saturday of September, every year. Eight Abingdon churches and 650 Oxfordshire churches participated this year.

Participants cycle, walk, use mobility scooters, and other methods to get between churches, and sign in along the way. They can create their own routes, or use the Ride and Stride website to create a route plan round their selected churches.

Participants are often sponsored. The money raised is split between their church and the Oxfordshire Churches Trusts, which funds church repairs and renovations.

Trinity Church welcomed visitors from Abingdon, Cholsey, Culham, Cumnor, Drayton, Oxford, Radley, Upton, Wallingford and West Hendred. The Upton visitor was an 86-year-old gentleman who cycled. He plays the organ – a much sought after skill these days.

Two regular riders and striders from St Nicolas Church enjoyed the refreshments at Trinity, and raised a cup of squash to wish blog readers a good day when I said I would put this on the Blog.

This photo is a reminder of June and the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. There was the unveiling of the Abingdon Royal British Legion’s bar, named after 20-year-old Abingdon airman Ray “Bunny” Belcher, one of the first casualties of D-Day. Club members, in vintage dress, hosted a cream tea party for veterans and raised £500 for the Poppy Appeal through badge sales and donations. Pictured are veteran paratrooper and poppy collector Alan Calver, and club member Lou Hayden (photo by Geoff Smith).

Now, Clare Oldfield, organiser of the Abingdon Poppy Appeal, sets her sights on the October 24th Poppy Appeal launch. She is looking for passionate volunteers to join the team, raising vital funds to support the Armed Forces community.

Clare also mentions that the RBL bar is not just for ex military people. It is open seven days a week and welcomes everyone. Enjoy activities like darts, pool, snooker, Aunt Sally, crib, and music nights.

Contact abingdon.poppies@gmail.com to volunteer or learn more.