Category Archives: Events

The Long Dubs and Abrail 2016 at the Leisure Centre

Tennis
Four tennis coaches are raising money for Sports Relief 2016 by attempting to break the World Record by playing tennis doubles for 60 hours.
Tennis
They were still going strong at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre early this afternoon. You can sponsor them at The Long Dubs.
Tennis
Coupled with that, also at the Leisure Centre, the annual Abingdon model railway exhibition, ABRAIL 2016, was full steam ahead.
Abrail
There were 25 railway layouts. Millanford, made by Abingdon model railway club members, can be seen above.
Abrail
The largest layout, Leicester Belgrave Road in the 1950s, was also made by members of Abingdon Model railway club.
Abrail
There were not just the railway layouts. These two gentlemen have created a very detailed street scene with moving buses and trams. It depicts life in the 1940s. An unexploded bomb is being dealt with in one back garden while people are shopping nearby.
Abrail
There were also stalls selling modelling kits and equipment, such as these Humbrol enamel tinlets. They range from Aircraft blue to Tank Grey.
Abrail
After the exhibition visitors returned to the overflow car park in Abingdon Science Park to catch their transport back, including some on the Morris Motors Band Bus.

Rowing Machines, Bright Cupola, Commonwealth Flag, and Balloon Arch

Rowing
Abingdon Rowing Club were out on rowing machines on the Market Place in Abingdon-on-Thames, raising money for Cancer Research. They had a target of 346 km – the length of the River Thames.
New Look
The scaffolding has come down from the Cupola above the County Hall Museum revealing a shiny weather vane and bright Cupola – all ready for the Queen’s 90th Birthday Bun Throwing on Saturday 11th June.

The Commonwealth Flag is also flying to commemorate Commonwealth Day on Monday 14 March.
New Look
In Bury Street there is a balloon arch in front of the new Superdrug entrance.

Bury Street got a face lift three years ago. The main change, apart from the new facades, was two larger units. The intention was to attract national retailers. Both units have now been filled by national retailers – New Look and Superdrug.
New Look
Although they did move from elsewhere in Bury Street.

Walking round town this evening

From Outside
Walking round town this evening I spotted something going on at Mostly Books. They had an evening with the author Ali Shaw.
From Outside
In St Nicolas Church artists and friends were there for the start of the Abingdon Artists Spring exhibition.
From Outside
At Abingdon Music Centre a band could be heard rehearsing.
From Outside
And at the Unicorn Theatre voices were raised in anger. It is the first night of ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ performed by Abingdon Drama Club.

Abingdon Passion 2016

Abingdon Passion 2016
Roman Soldiers were there in case of trouble as people went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. Many Jews wanted rid of the Romans, and thought Jesus might lead their campaign to get out of the Roman Empire.
Abingdon Passion 2016
But Jesus did not turn out to be that kind of leader. He entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey,welcoming children.
Abingdon Passion 2016
There was a large cast of singers and people taking part in the performance of the Abingdon Passion. One performance was at 11am. The second followed at 3pm.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Jesus upset the established religious leaders by turning the money changers out of the Temple, saying it was the house of God,and they had turned it into a den of thieves. Those leaders then looked for an opportunity to get rid of Jesus.
Abingdon Passion 2016
During the Passover meal Jesus told Judas to go and do what he had to do. Jesus was arrested later that evening and taken for trial – betrayed by Judas.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Other disciples of Jesus also let him down. Peter broke down after denying even knowing Jesus.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Jesus was brought before the Religious leaders, Pontius Pilate – the Roman Governor, and then before Herod with his harem.Herod soon got bored with Jesus because he would not speak or do any miracles, and so sent him back to Pilot for a final decision.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Jesus was brought out to be flogged.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Then Jesus was crucified.
Abingdon Passion 2016
His mother Mary was there as he died, and held his body for a few moments, before it was taken to a tomb.
Abingdon Passion 2016
The body disappeared, and somebody looking like Jesus appeared at the back of the Market Place.