There was a lot going on at the Play and Activity Day at Southern Town Park. It already looks to be one of the best play areas in Abingdon with

• the Zip Wire
• the climbing and adventure area made out of wood, large boulders, and sand pits
• the big round swing
• the younger childrens’ play area
• and the Basketball court

Into this setting were brought: a drumming workshop and go-carting.

Behind the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Helen Pighills, can be seen body zorbing, giant Jengo, and dominos.

Lots of other agencies were there. The local police and PCSOs were there building links with young people.

The Fire Brigade were there letting children look round their fire engine.

The basketball court had been turned into a mobile skatepark. A graffitti wall stood in front. The Abingdon Childrens’ Centres, and Mobile Childrens Centre (used for villages) were there, as was the library with some free books, and the Church in Abingdon supplying free drinks and cakes.

Lots of groups and agencies had been brought together for the Play and Activity Day at Southern Town Park. And the sunshine helped to make it a success.

There is a big jumble sale – fund raising for the Alzheimer’s Society – on the Market Place. They have a £1 tombola with a prize every time, some cakes and preserves, and a large triangle of table tops loaded with: books, clothes, games, and an assortment of knick-knacks you will find nowhere else.

The shelves of the Bury Street Co-op are now empty apart from the day’s papers – as the shop will cease trading today 11th July.

The pedestrian lights are not working at the top of West St Helen Street. They were out of order for 6 days, then got fixed with the help of a generator – were working for Thursday and Friday, and are not working again.

There is a Play and Activity Day taking place at Southern Town Park on Saturday 11 July. The event is free and open to all, not just those living in South Abingdon. It is run by The Oxfordshire Play Assocation who promote and develop play opportunities for children and young people aged 0-19.

The day will also include some sport …

Abingdon Rugby Under 15s are currently looking to recruit new players to join the under 15s boys rugby team playing at Abingdon RFC, Lambrick Way, Abingdon OX14 5TJ. There is training on a Friday night from 6.30pm-8pm and games are played on a Sunday morning. Experience not essential, just a desire to be part of a team. If you are interested please call Robert Jacobs on 07887 716579 or rjacobs984@gmail.com .

(Picture is not of the under 15s but was taken at the Annual Rugby 7s in 2009. This year the annual Rugby 7s will be on Saturday 15th August. I think it is the 60th time the competition has been run.)

Last Sunday Ashnah Tribal Bellydancers were performing at the Exbourne Road Street Party.

This week they were part of the parade at the mile long Cowley Road Street Party / Carnival in Oxford.

We met quite a number of Abingdon people in the crowd.

I have put a longer report on Not The Abingdon Blog.