Category Archives: Events

Candidates for Mayor of Ock Street

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On Saturday 22nd June, three candidates are standing for the post of Mayor of Ock Street (or Mock Mayor of Abingdon and Squire of The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers) …
Mayor of Ock Street election
Roger Cox has done an excellent job as Mayor since being first elected in 2007. But he has strong competition in 2013 …

Harry Knight would make a fine Mayor. But I fear the Morris Dancers would miss his accordion playing.

Duncan Brown would make a fine Mayor. He was the youngest ever Mayor of Abingdon and has acted as a fine fool for the Morris Dancers since taking on that role last year. But I fear they would miss his fooling.
Mayor of Ock Street election
There are no manifestos in this election. Election day is a day of dancing and drinking.

First dance is outside the Black Swan at 10am. The result is declared soon after 4pm at the Brewery Tap. Dancing continues until 8 or 9pm. Last dance is on the Market Place.

Civic Service at the Baptist Church

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Civic Service
Thanks to Councillor Tony Brett from Oxford for this picture of the annual Civic Service of Abngdon-on-Thames.

Normally the civic service is held at St Helens Church, but as the new Mayor attends the Ock Street Baptist Church and Revd David Fleming, her chaplain, ministers there, the Civic service went to the Baptist Church in 2013.

Tony reports that the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, and MP Nichola Blackwood were also there. The sermon was about how Christians are led to serve. His full report is on Tony Brett’s Blog.
Civic Service
Revd David Fleming won’t be chaplain for very long as he has decided to minister to the people of Luton from August. Almost everybody will be sad to see hm leave because he has done so  much for Abingdon. But when he announced his departure at last week’s council meeting there was one cheer – intended to be humorous, I should add.
Civic Service
The Abingdon Traditonal Morris Dancers were also outside the church, Praising God with the violin, accordion, and wafted handkerchiefs.

Ride of Respect

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Ride of Respect
At 9am this morning, at the bottom entrance of Dalton Barracks, motorbikes of all shapes and sizes were arriving, sometimes in small groups, and sometimes in droves.

The bikes drove up the runway, of ex-Raf Abingdon; they made a donation to the Royal British Legion, then left in a huge convoy from the top end of Dalton Barracks.
Ride of Respect
Their destination was RAF Brize Norton, 24 miles away, where soldiers killed in action are repatriated.

I have no idea how many motorbikes took part – it was amazing, but my mum – who lives in Cumnor, said that the road was full of motorbikes, for two or three hours, and people from Cumnor stood by the roadside to cheer them on.

‘Summer’ Craft Fair

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Summer Craft Fair
In the Market Place this morning there was a ‘Summer’ craft fair, during which three different music groups performed. Pictured are Abingdon Concert Band, whose next concert is Saturday 13th July, where they will be playing favorites of their departing musical director. (Tickets from The Bookstore or Newbury Building Society.)
Summer Craft Fair
Also there were Revd Richard and wife Ann, from Trinity. Recently Trinity voted to ask Richard to stay for another 5 years, but the church area governing body want to use his talents elsewhere, so sadly he will be with Trinity for just one more year.
Summer Craft Fair
This event is organised by Marianne from the town council (not pictured). There were about sixteen stalls and would have been more but the windy conditions were difficult.
Summer Craft Fair
The Open Air Food was delicious, especially after a swim in the Open Air Pool. I was the only there this morning. Where are all those people who protested to keep the pool open a few year ago?