Schools broke up for the summer holidays yesterday, and the Summer Reading Challenge is underway at Abingdon Library. This year’s challenge is called “Ready, Set, Read!” and celebrates sport, games, and play.

Yesterday, I noticed the latest summer holiday-themed postbox topper crochet in Abingdon. It was a colourful creation featuring a row of ice creams on one side. I thought I would have plenty of time to look closer, but when I returned today, it was gone.

The Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool in Abingdon opened for the 2023 season today. Despite the rain, that started mid-morning, people were swimming.

The Abingdon Fire Station Open Day was a free event on Saturday, July 15th, from 11am to 3pm. The event was open to everyone and featured various activities that were very popular with young families and children.

Visitors could see and climb into real fire engines and see other emergency vehicles.

Firefighters demonstrated a rope rescue abseil from the tower and cut off a car roof to save the person inside.

People could learn how to prevent fires and what to do if a fire starts. There was also a chance to use a fire hose on a pretend burning building.

There was also a bouncy castle and food and drink available for purchase.

Donations could be made to the Fire Fighters Charity. The money raised from the event will go to help firefighters and their families who are injured or sick, or in need.

There is a fundraising event at St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Abingdon, on Saturday, 8th July 2023, at 7 pm.

Wantage Academy Brass and Youth Brass will be at the church to play. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to The Abingdon Bridge (TAB), Tariro (Hope For Youth in Zimbabwe) and St Michael’s Church.

Locally based Charity, Against Breast Cancer, is encouraging local businesses in Abingdon to turn their window pink to win the Splash Of Pink trophy on Saturday.

The Market Place will also be splashed with pink.

If you’re walking by Abingdon Vale Cricket Club Ground at Hales Meadow on a Monday or Friday throughout the year, you may well see croquet games in progress. The Thames Valley Croquet Club plays from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm during the summer months. You can visit their web site and see their contact page for further info.

Members of camper van groups are also frequent visitors during the summer months and add to the spectators at cricket matches.