Category Archives: Events

Swan Upping 2011

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Swan Upping
Many Thanks to Stephen Gray, an artist based in Culham, for this picture of him with his own painting of the Swan Uppers.

Today was the day the Royal census of swans, or Swan Upping, came to Abingdon – the final stop in the journey up the River Thames.
Swan Upping
I found them first at Abingdon Sailing Club where they had caught two adult swams and six young.
Swan Upping
This has not been a good year for swans – a virus has killed many. The Swan Uppers only found three familes, today : one at Wallingford, another at Clifton Hamden, and this one in Abingdon.
Swan Upping
The swans were weighed and ringed, a spike was extracted from the webbed foot of one of the adults, and then they were released to swim off as if nothing had happened.
Swan Upping
The Swan Uppers continued their journey to Abingdon Bridge where they drank the traditional toast to The Queen.

They then went to the Broad Face for more drinks. Once the local brew had lubricated their vocal chords sufficiently the Swan Uppers treated the other people in the pub to a traditional Swan Upping sing song.

Street Pastors hit the Streets

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Street Pastors
Street Pastors hit the streets in Abingdon tonight.
Street Pastors
They are easy to recognise with their distinctive caps and Street Pastor tops. There are 24 in all, all trained, and will go out in shifts.
Street Pastors
I met up with this group at around at 2 am. They had just given some young ladies some flip flops as the high heals were getting too much. They also gave out lollipops and water. The young ladies said “Thankyou Street Pastors. See you around.”

Street Pastors are there just to be a friendy face and somebody to talk to and possibly calm situations.

Lodge Hill Garage Spitfire Launch + Fly Over

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Spitfire Launch
Passing Lodge Hill on my bike at lunchtime I was surprised to see the garage showroom protected by sandbags with WWII style troops guarding a Spitfire on a stand on the forecourt.

There was also a red carpet in front of the showroom and VIPs inside.
Spitfire Launch
The press were particularly interested in these ladies with the garage owner. I think both appeared back in April on a BBC4 documentary about the Air Transport Auxiliary or ATA. During World Wat II, lassies with flying skills were not allowed to fly in combat but they became invaluable piloting all kinds of aeroplanes between factory and airfield to supply the RAF.

For a new type of plane they were just given the instruction manual and so had to be very adaptable skilled fliers. I remember from the documentary that the Spitfire was a favourite with many.
Spitfire Launch
They were the WWII uniformed glamour girls whether they liked it or not.

The model Spitfire has been put there by the garage owner to commemorate the ATA. It was front page news  in the Abingdon Herald this morning. Today’s launch  could cause even more of a splash.

—– P.S ———-
Spitfire Launch
Thanks to Ian for a picture of the Spitfire flyover that happened a little later.

Dragon Boat Racing 2011

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Dragon Boats
The Dragon Boat Racing is run annually by the Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper
Dragon Boats
to raise money for some of their projects like Barge Trips along the Kennet and Avon Canal, Kids Out Day, working with the Stroke Association, providing equipment and services to schools and hospitals in Africa, Shelterbox and more…
Dragon Boats
Each crew normally also raises additional sponsorship for their own good cause. It is exhilerating good fun.
Dragon Boats
Its even gives some people the chance to accompany the Hawaii-five-O theme tune on the drum,
Dragon Boats
or dress a bit funny.