Category Archives: Events

Dragon Boats 2013

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Dragon Boats 2013
Thanks to Peter for sending me this picture of one of the more colourful teams at today’s Dragon Boats racing.

Dragon Boats 2013
Not everybody gets the paddling quite right on their first run but over time the technique improves and times get better. There were 16 teams this year at the annual Dragon Boat races, and the fastest 4 after the heats went through to the final.
Dragon Boats 2013
The event is run by Abingdon Rotary Vesper. The money they raise helps finance some of their projects, such as Shelter Box – used to bring essential life saving support.

Individual teams also raise money for their own good causes. Kemp and Kemp, who are currently redeveloping 1-3 Ock Street, had a team, and were raising money for The Abingdon Bridge Youth Charity.
Dragon Boats 2013
The Mayor presented the prizes to the winners later in the day, but I got a picture of the Deputy Mayor, there around lunchtime. She had a cork umbrella which was needed as there were showers. There was also a stall selling tea shirts made from bamboo. Neither the cork umbrella or bamboo tea shirts felt at all wooden after clever processing.
Dragon Boats 2013
Dragon Boat racing moved from May to September last year because the River Thames was too high in May. It takes them at least 6 months to apply for things such as licenses so there was not time to plan for May this year either. So it could be always September now.

A Little of What’s On

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Abbey Sax
Abbey Sax, a small part of the Abingdon Concert Band, were on the Market Place this morning. The Abingdon Concert Band are welcoming Neil Brownless as their new musical director from September 2013. I was told by one member that Neil is young, very talented, and they are really excited about working with him.

This evening there will be more classical music at St Nicolas’ Church where the “Baroque Trio Sonata” are playing.

This weekend there is a Beer Festival at the Kings Head and Bell with 30 ales and 10 ciders. The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers will be partaking and performing tomorrow afternoon. And if that is not your cup of tea, there is Tea in the Garden of St Ethelwolds from 3:00pm-5:00pm.
Dalton Barracks Play
Looking ahead I see that on Wednesday 28th August there is the Dalton Barracks Play and Activity Day from 11:00am till 3:00pm.

Abingdon Youth Music Festival on the hottest day of the year so far

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Following Yeah Baby last Saturday, there was another great free concert on the Market Place this Saturday
Music Festival
In 2012 the Abingdon-on-Thames Youth Music Festival took place in a downpour. This year the performers of the Vale Youth Music Centre Orchestra had glorious sunshine.
Music Festival
One annual event that is not happening this year is Abingdon’s Got Talent. It is having a short rest. Pam Ayers who won last year can keep the crown for a year or two more. She would have enjoyed this young folk group.
Music Festival
Last of the groups pictured are the Larkmead Jazz Band. Helen Ecclestone, seen here on the Baritone Saxiphone, works at Larkmead and leads lots of groups there including the lunchtime Jazz band. She also runs the Abingdon Music Centre and conducted the Abingdon Community Orchestra seen a few days ago on the blog.

The performances continued for three hours in the hot sun and were greatly appreciated by the audience.

Abingdon Works Car Show – 2013

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The Abingdon Works Car Show was on today in Rye Farm Meadow
Abingdon Works Car Show
The show celebrated the days when a lot of wonderful cars were made in Abingdon-on-Thames. The event was run in conjunction with the MG Car Club and Abingdon Rotary Club. But it was not all about MGs. Rileys are being admired in this picture.
Abingdon Works Car Show
The Abingdon works fire engine was there, as well as a modern day fire engine from Abingdon-on-Thames Fire Station.
Abingdon Works Car Show
This MG has a numberplate that almost says Abingdon Works.
Abingdon Works Car Show
Today was the day that Andy Murray won Wimbledon for the first time. The previous time a male player from these isles won the competition cars like these were on the road. The one in the foreground has done nearly 450,000 miles, although the clock does not show quite that much,as it starts again every 100,000 miles.
Abingdon Works Car Show
Such a hot day – a lot of the cars had their bonnets up, and on the other side of the River the open air pool and water feature were packed. The Rotary and all the MG Car Clubs made us proud of our Abingdon heritage.