Mick Herron was at Abingdon Library for a question and answer session about: his books, the spin-off TV series, and writing generally. The event had a sell-out audience and could have been sold out three times. Mick says that he likes to do events in libraries. He used libraries and read a lot when he was young and wants to support libraries for future readers.
The Abingdon Craft Fair was started in the 1970s to provide funds for the Abbey Buildings and is still going in the 2020s. See Abingdon Traditional Craft Fair for prices and a list of crafts at the annual craft fair.
Abingdon and District Musical Society have their autumn concert at St Helen’s Church on 12th November. It includes Fauré’s Requiem. See Abingdon & District Musical Society.
Judy Thomas has produced a new local history book about the Hamlet of Northcourt.
Nourthcourt Lane still looks like a hamlet despite being surrounded by Abingdon houses and Abingdon United FC.
People sent in poems about Abingdon and the poet Andrew Jamison selected the final ten and wrote the foreword. The book Ten Poems about Abingdon sells at £5 and all profits go to The Abingdon Bridge charity – supporting young people. The book can be found at The Bookstore, Mostly Books, Abingdon Museum and Abingdon Bridge. It will appear at Abingdon Library.
Jenny Gould will be at Abingdon Library this Thursday talking about her book No More Good Girl. Jenny is a psychotherapist and married to Mike. They live and are well known in Abingdon.
Kevin Thomson is well known at Abingdon Drama Club and organises Abingdon Walking Tours led by himself and other actor friends. His children’s book is called Willy and Wally – The Windscreen Wipers.
Since 1999, Abingdon Library has encouraged children to participate in the summer reading challenge, keeping children reading during the summer holidays. In 2020 the theme was Silly Squad. In 2021 it was Wild World Challenge. This is the twentieth year, and the theme ‘Gadgeteers’ will spark children’s curiosity about the world around us. For more information visit https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/.
Could I also suggest a writing challenge?
It was so hot at the Monday Market yesterday that many stall holders left early. The meat man went before the meat mutated. The baker left before the bread got toasted. The egg stall left before all the eggs hatched.
The flower stall left before the plants wilted.
Even the card shop left before the cards went white.
If anybody is up for a summer writing challenge, send something interesting about Abingdon to backstreet60@gmail.com.