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.

Thanks for some pictures and words from Peter. He says …

Next Sunday dragonboat racing returns to Abingdon.

Besides the racing, with crews in colourful outfits, there are stalls and fairground attractions to enjoy. It is a great day out at a modest cost.

Abingdon Camera Club has a display of Members’ photographs at 35 Ock Street – the community café in front of Abingdon Baptist Church.

It is open weekdays 10.30 – 2 and Saturdays 10.30 – 12.30.

The Camera Club welcomes everyone at all levels, from beginners to advanced, and meet on alternate Thursdays at All Saints Methodist Church Hall (behind the Boundary House pub). The first meeting of the new season will be this Thursday 4th September at 8pm when members will discuss their summer picture taking, always an enjoyable and informative evening.

After 6 years at Trinity Abingdon, Reverend Richard Bittleston led his last service this morning. He was showered with goodbye gifts afterwards, and The Church Secretary said how sad it was to see him go: because of his thought provoking sermons; the musical gifts he brought to Trinity; the way he has helped churches in the local circuit and the Church in Abingdon; and for the warm welcome and attention he has given to all people coming to Trinity for weddings, baptisms, and funerals.

Today was also the annual Abingdon Horse Show. Horse boxes could be seen arriving throughout the morning, and the first field in Rye Farm was full of horse boxes by lunchtime.

The next fields held five rings, two for horse jumping, and three rings for showing horses, ridden or by hand , and fun activities like fancy Dress, Prettiest Mare, and Handsomest Gelding.

There were also stalls selling rider and horse equipment and paraphernalia.

The Oxfordshire Chilli Festival was on the Market Place in Abingdon throughout the day. There were stalls serving meals with chilli, and lots of stalls with chilli sauces to sample and buy, including  Chillies2u who grow a wide variety of chillies on their farm near Witney in Oxfordshire. They then sell their own sauces and chillies at Farmers Markets, and over the Internet.

Throughout the day there were also a variety of bands

and a chilli eating competition.

Competitors were provided with a glass of milk and a bag. If they needed to drink the milk or threw up in the bag they were out of the competition. The winner was the last one still eating chillies.

Also at Abingdon Rugby Club throughout the day was the annual Rugby 7s competition. Abingdon can be seen in green and yellow playing Chinnor.