Next to the Abingdon-on-Thames Fire Station there is a ‘Field of Hope’ dedicated to Marie Curie Cancer Care with daffodils planted in memory of people who lost their battle with cancer.

Next door, the Cross Keys, on Ock Street, has been turned into private flats. Work on the conversion is nearly completed, and an estate agent’s boards show that some of the properties have been ‘Sold’.

Thanks to Jo for this …

Oxfam will be celebrating their 30th (Pearl!) Anniversary at the current premises in Stert Street later this month. Looking back at the history of Oxfam’s ‘Odyssey’ in Abingdon (there have been 3 bases in the past 47 years).

1969 – High Street – an old branch of Boots the Chemist
1971 – 19 Stert Street – previously a butcher
1986 – 30-32 Stert Street. Beforehand it had been The Extraordinary trading Company, and originally Langford’s Coal and Corn Merchants (as the great signage above the shop façade shows).

They would like memories either of Oxfam in Abingdon or their premises. Pictured is Roger Baker who has been with the shop since 1969, and 2 other ‘Pearl’ volunteers who have been with the shop for 30 years.

There was a Duck Race on the River Ock yesterday. The owner of the winning duck received a Kindle Fire.

Thanks to Elizabeth for the pictures. The event was organised as a fund raising venture by Thames Water for the Helen and Douglas House hospice.

Thames Water employees were holding events in 8 of the Helen and Douglas House charity shops during the day for fund raising and to help their own customers.

Abingdon turned pink once again today, Saturday 24th September 2016, as Abingdon based Charity ‘Against Breast Cancer’ held their annual Splash of Pink Day.

Mr Hemmings Traditional Morris Dancers were there to entertain as were other local community groups, and the timeless Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

There were lots of volunteers helping. Some were having pies thrown at them for donations.

The Abingdon Fire Brigade were letting children explore the fire engine.

There were lots of cakes, and stalls, as in all the other years when there has been a Splash of Pink.

‘Against Breast Cancer’ fund research, and say on their website ‘The ultimate goal of Against Breast Cancer is to prevent secondary spread, which is the main cause of breast-cancer related deaths.

Our research addresses critical gaps in scientific resources and knowledge to help doctors diagnose and treat breast cancer faster and more effectively, and to understand factors that increase or reduce the risk of secondary spread (read more here).