There will be a 50th Anniversary Open Day at Abingdon Fire Station and they want photos, stories, memories etc, to form part of their display. They already have over 200 photos of past and current firefighters and incidents,and fire engines.

The Borough of Abingdon was always very proud of their Fire Service. The Fire Station in Bury Street was built 100 years ago and this picture shows one of their engines.

50 years ago they moved to the modern looking fire station in Ock Street.

Nowadays the fire service don’t just attend fires. They are there on roads and rivers as the nearest we have to a National Rescue Service.

The open day on 27th September runs from 11am-3pm and will include a BBQ, lots of static displays, old memorabilia, Morris Dancing and bun throwing from the top of the drill tower.

Thanks to Ian for a report on The Abingdon Horticultural Society Autumn Show held at the Northcourt Centre on Saturday 6th September.

He says “A wide range of flowers and vegetables were exhibited by local gardeners who obtained first class results, despite the strange growing season we all experienced this year.

The Mayor, Councillor Angela Lawrence, presented cups and awards to the many worthy exhibitors.

A large number of visitors and members enjoyed the displays of produce, cakes, preserves, and handicrafts.

The club was very pleased to see the high quality of the childrens’ entries and the excellent wines.

The Committee would like to thank all friends and exhibitors who worked so hard to make the day a brilliant success. If you would like to know more about us do contact Ian at ieshepherd@yahoo.co.uk”.

Around 3,000 spectators were there for the annual Dragon Boat Racing. The event run by the Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper is one of the high points of the Abingdon Calendar.

Teams of 16 people and 1 drummer, steered by an expert from Dragon Boat Racing, competed for three rounds, and then the three fastest teams raced off in the final.

A lot of the teams wore matching wigs or headgear this year, and the crews had to work hard

driven on by the character beating the drum.

The teams raise money for charity. The M.C. said that one team has raised about £10,000 this year. Rotary Vesper also raise money for its own charity projects such as Canal boat trips for disabled, and Micro Credit in Uganda.

The event also has fair ground rides, and stalls including one for that had recharable (sic) power packs for any mobile phone.

On what was a hot and thirsty day the beer tent did very well. It was a great day, and well organised by the Abingdon ‘Vespers’ Rotary Club. They meet in the evening. The other Abingdon Rotary Club meets in the day.