Not a good time of year to be sleeping out. I saw this tent near the river a couple of days back. Sleeping rough is not so obviously an issue here in Abingdon as in a city like Oxford but it happens. We are all made aware of homelessness at Christmas. But still a long way to go until warmer days.
Thanks to Jan of the Literary Teapot Blog for this report …
As well as trees from groups such as the Scouts, Guides and Messy Church, there were trees from Abingdon Carbon Cutters, Abingdon Writers, Frend the jewellers (not real jewels, unfortunately) and Rosie’s tea shop (decorated with salt dough teapots!) There was also a prayer tree where people wrote on cards the names of people they would like the church to pray for.
All this support was very welcome and the result was wonderful: we raised over £500 for Oxford Homeless Pathways, and John Lewis High Wycombe generously added another £100.
On the last night of the 4 night run of Improvised Panto at the Unicorn theatre, Sinbad was chosen by chance as the Panto. The plot was padded out by suggestions from the audience and so Sinbad the Sailor from Swindon, went to try to rescue the Princess, locked up by the baddy in a cave of shoes on the Isle of Slough.
The improvisors did their best with the material they were given, and by their efforts, over 4 days, helped raise funds to support Pathway Workshops. Pathway Workshops give productive employment and training for disadvantaged adults and help improve their employment prospects. They mostly make things from reclaimed timber, such as the rocking horse and reindeer shown above.
There was great excitement as children looked out from front doors to see Father Christmas. This evening he was to be seen round the roads near Kennet Road.
His busy schedule can be seen on the Abingdon Lions website but I have repeated it below. He is out from 6-8pm most evenings, and on the Market Place on Saturday during the day with real reindeer …
Wednesday 7th December : Kennet Road
Thursday 8th December : Sellwood Road / South Avenue
Friday 9th December : Appleford Drive
Saturday 10th December : Market Place
Monday 12th December : Audlett Drive
Tuesday 13th December : Preston Road
Wednesday 14th December : Mill Road
Thursday 15th December : Peachcroft Northwest
Friday 16th December : Peachcroft Southeast
Monday 19th December : Boulter Drive / Alexander Close
Tuesday 20th December : Hanson Road / Langley Road
Yesterday, December 6, was a chance for many to celebrate the Feast of Saint Nicholas, whose life inspired the modern day Father Christmas. But I think St Nicolas school leave their celebration until Friday.