
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.
Category Archives: charity
Father Christmas coming to a road near you

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.
Growing Moustaches in November for Charity
I expect that after midnight a lot of men are going to shave off their moustaches…

Gary and Matthew from Fabulous Flowers have been part of the growing movement growing moustaches during November to raise funds for Prostate Cancer research.
They also got listed as one of the best florists in the UK in the November Tatler Party Guide. Find out more from their blog.
Hot Dog Eating Contest @ Kings Head and Bell for Children in Need

There were two teams – each supplied with ketchup bottles – at the start of the Kings Head and Bell pub’s hot dog eating contest – part of their weekend’s activities to raise funds for Children in Need.

The Landlord is seen here bringing out a few of the hot dogs. Two judges and the Landlord were there to ensure fair play.

Plenty of tomato ketchup seemed a good tactic…

The tie round the forehead showed how serious some people took the contest …

After a while the judges joined in helping the team they were watching to eat all the hot dogs.
Finally it was the team who enlisted the most people who won the prize – a bottle of champagne.
That prize was then donated and auctioned for Children in Need.

Here are the judges with the couple who made the winning £20 bid for the champagne – Ken and Cathy.
By that stage a total of £1500 had been raised by customers of the pub for Children in Need. I look forward to hearing the final total.