On Sunday Barry and Beryl Stayte opened their lovely garden to raise funds for Friends of Radley Lakes. This garden is particularly special as it won two awards in the 2011 Abingdon in Bloom event – the Best Back Garden and the Best Wildlife Garden.

A good time was had by all as the sun shone all afternoon, the homemade cakes were delicious and the garden looked stunning.

Thanks to Marjorie White for this report … The pond dipping picture is by Lynda Pasquire and the other two by Maggie Harnew.

There will be another three open gardens this weekend on Saturday 30 June 2012 in East St. Helen’s Street.  £5 will cover the entrance to all the gardens. Part of Abingdon Museum Friends fundraising.

Abingdons got talent 2012 provided a fun filled hour and a half at lunchtime on the Market Place.

Most acts sang.

There were also a couple of dance acts and a magician.

Callam won the under 18s section singing “Proud Mary.”

We were lucky to get Geraldine Pierce from BBC South among the judges. This is her fifth year taking part.

Other judges were Eileen Bagshaw, Steve Rich (who gets more like Simon Cowell every year with his remarks) , and the Mayor Councillor Monica Lovatt.

In the over 18s section Pam Aird won singing “Someone like you” . That was the one time it rained

Normally Pam sings with sister Jackie. But this year Jackie is recovering from illness and was unable to perform, and so Pam sang solo.

Jackie was invited on stage to share the applause.

I have put up a short video that shows an extract of both Callam’s and Pam’s encores for anybody that missed it all.

The Open Air Pool re-opened this morning and had its best first day for many a long year thanks to the lovely weather.

The first Salter’s passenger boat left at 11:30 this morning to Oxford. There was a queue waiting and most seats were taken.

On the Market Place the Church in Abingdon were celebrating Pentecost (the church’s birthday) with children’s activities.

Trinity Church had a summer fair outside and inside today. I see next week we at Trinity Church will be joining Abingdon Baptist Church for a Jubilee Service followed by the Ock Street Jubilee Party.

I have also been asked to mention this evening at St Helen’s Church there will be a concert at 19:30 with the Isis Chamber Orchestra

Haydn – Symphony No. 26 Lamentatione

Bartók – Divertimento

Crusell – Clarinet Concerto No. 3

Haydn – Symphony No. 98, Bb major.