
The Abingdon Baptist Scout’s Jumble Sale began with a queue at the door at 9am, and by the time I got there at 10:30 a lot of the best things had gone.

There were still some interesting books – such as an old edition of the The Book of Woodcraft and Indian Lore by Ernest Thompson Seton written in 1912 and full of illustrations.

The church’s redevelopment project is still being planned but they are not allowed to expand by removing or moving some of their existing walls. The classical facade, that most of us see, was added decades after the original building, which has red and blue brick on a rubble base – whose craftsmanship is of historical interest.

In the cafe at 35 Ock Street, adjoining the church, there is an exhibition of photographs by retired professional photographer Derek Banister.

At 35 Ock Street, there is also an outpost of the St Andrews Christian bookshop – based in St Clements, Oxford and run by the son of the Revd Michael Hambleton – a previous minister at the Baptist church. If you want to pay by card they connect you over the phone to the main shop and take your card details.
Category Archives: charity
Charity Shop Revamp

Action for Children in Conflict has four Oxfordshire shops that raise money to help support street children, and vulnerable children, in an area called Thika in Kenya. The charity has been operating since 2003.

The Abingdom shop has recently undergone a transformation as new management looks to attract more customers, and so help raise more funds to help those children in need of a good education.
24 Hours Carol Singing Marathon – Long Furlong Community Centre – while mortals sleep
Starting on Friday (yesterday) at Noon there has been a 24 Hours Carol Singing Marathon at Long Furlong Community Centre. Lots of groups have taken part … including Long Furlong School, regular choirs, the U 9s Football club, the 3rd Abingdon Guides.
Just before midnight The Street Pastors sang. After midnight followed 2 Dirty Dancing Ladies, then Swedish Lucia …
Into the small hours as frost formed outside there were late night turns …

2am …

3am …

4am …

5am …

In the final 30 minutes from 11:30am to noon there was a big finale with many people coming to the final carols. About 1200 people took part during the 24 hours.
They raised money for The Archway Foundation and Blue Sky Thinking. Find out more on their facebook page.
Guide Dogs out in number, despite the rain

Guide Dogs Week is the annual fundraising, awareness building week which runs from 4 to 12 October.

Guide Dogs were out in number this morning in Abingdon Town Centre, despite the rain. The one on the left was injured a couple of days ago by a bicycle on a shared walkway. Such accidents are becoming more common, and the owners wanted people to be aware that cycles are not always heard until it is too late.
Also there is a campaign to get talking buses, ones that announce the stops, so that visually impaired people don’t miss their stop.