Category Archives: charity

Dementia Aware at the Craft Fair


There was a Craft Fair at the Old Abbey Buildings last weekend and again this weekend. (Thurs 7th – Sun 20th AND Thurs 24th – Sun 27th October 2013)

As well as all the crafts there are usually some community action and charity stalls.

One of those stalls was run by a young lady who works at Abingdon Court Care Home. She is part of the Purple Angel initiative to make people and shops dementia aware.

That person before you in the queue who seems a little unsteady and is struggling to find the right change, or struggling to keep up with the checkout speed, may not be drunk. Shops can get some short training and a certificate to make them Dementia Aware. You can message the young lady on Facebook Page Abingdon dementia action alliance and she will get in contact. Some local shops have already done the training.

Alzheimer’s Society Guildhall Charity Sale


The Alzheimer’s Society Guildhall Charity Sale is always worth a visit. It usually coincides with the Craft Fair which was also on today.

I hope the society made lots of money to help support their Abingdon Day Centre. It was 50p to get in and there were lots of stalls.

I won some Uncle Ben’s rice on the tombola, bought a giant poster of Father Christmas, some books, marmalade,

lots of English apples,

and something from this final picture. Last year we got a working sewing machine from the same event.

Ride of Respect

Ride of Respect
At 9am this morning, at the bottom entrance of Dalton Barracks, motorbikes of all shapes and sizes were arriving, sometimes in small groups, and sometimes in droves.

The bikes drove up the runway, of ex-Raf Abingdon; they made a donation to the Royal British Legion, then left in a huge convoy from the top end of Dalton Barracks.
Ride of Respect
Their destination was RAF Brize Norton, 24 miles away, where soldiers killed in action are repatriated.

I have no idea how many motorbikes took part – it was amazing, but my mum – who lives in Cumnor, said that the road was full of motorbikes, for two or three hours, and people from Cumnor stood by the roadside to cheer them on.

Mayor’s first engagement

Mayor's first engagement
One of the new Mayor’s charities is the “Abingdon Community Hospital League of Friends”. She will also be supporting the Scouts, and fund raising for the South Abingdon Skate Park. Her first engagement on Saturday was to visit the Hospital League of Friends who had a Coffee morning at St Nicolas Church. Funds raised go to buy equipment for the hospital.

We did get a letter from the town council saying there will be road closures, and No Parking down East St Helen Street on Friday 24th May as there will be a Homecoming Parade, and medal presentation (around 9:30am). That will probably be about the biggest event in the mayoral year – the Princess Royal will be presenting the medals.