There is an exhibition at Nicolas Church, in Abingdon, called Peace and War. On one side there are pictures done by school children in Abingdon, and nearby villages, on the theme of Peace.

Trinity Learning asked schools and school children to make pictures, what peace means to them?

Peace
People sitting quietly
Everything is awesome!
Appreciating my favourite book
Crossed legged on the carpet
everyone getting along well.
(by Oliver aged 6)

On the other side are pictures from children in Dafur, in a refugee camp. They were given pencils and paper and asked to draw their hopes and fears.

A lot of the pictures show the conflict they had known.

This exhibition is on until Saturday.

The OXRAIL (model railway) exhibition was at Abingdon & Witney College today. There were 39 railway layouts; a number of trade stalls selling modelling kit; and a vintage bus giving rides outside. It was organised by the Oxford District Model Railway Club.

There was a chance to see Ealing Road, featured on the Channel 5 TV Series The Great Model Railway Challenge.

The Snake Bend Railroad was the largest model and was to be found upstairs in the college’s Art Workshop. Different modellers follow standards about how the modules join up and then create a model depending on who can bring their modules.

There were also a number of small layouts that appeared to travel in suit cases.

The models were enjoyed by children

and adults alike. People could drive the trains on some of the layouts.

A lot of painstaking effort goes into each model and I was surprised to find out how many people I know have their own model railway at home. They have gained skills in planning, engineering, woodworking, electrical circuitry and miniature painting.

Even though Abingdon has no railway station, there are conservatories, attics and spare rooms across Abingdon filled with tiny trees, scale buildings and model railways.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, from 13th-19th May. It was also the Oxfordshire Mind art exhibition at the Mind Centre at Abingdon Charter.

As well as the art round the walls, there were people playing guitars, refreshments and a raffle. There was also a table for drawing or painting for anybody who wanted to have a go.

The Mind art group meets on Thursdays. One person, who recently joined, told me that the last time they did any art was almost fifty years ago at school. Art helps them clear their mind and relax. Sketching for three hours makes time fly by. The group are of mixed abilities and very welcoming.

At the County Hall Museum in Abingdon there is an exhibition running from April 6th to 30th June called Rubbish!.

Part of the exhibition asks what discarded items from the past tells us about past societies.

The exhibition also looks at how we deal with our new rubbish. There is a video about the process used by the incinerator at Ardley which produces energy from non-recycled (black-bin) rubbish for about 53,000 homes, and how the residue of ash and metal can be re-used.

An information board explains how our recyclable (green-bin) rubbish is separated and recycled. Another board explains how our food waste is used to produce methane and that generates power, and how the residue is used as fertiliser.

There are a lot of information boards, and so I will need to revisit to read it all.