Category Archives: Events

Swan Uppers in Abingdon – 2010

Under a Royal Charter, the Vintners’ Company (in red) and the Dyers’ Company (in blue), two Livery Companies of the City of London, have a part ownership with Her Majesty the Queen of the mute swans on the River Thames.

In the distant past swans were a royal delicacy.

Nowadays they don’t get eaten but if caught, the Vintners and the Dyers ring the swan’s feet on the Queen’s behalf, aided and abetted by animal experts from places like Oxford University .

The week long census ends at Abingdon Bridge…

where a toast is made to their patron the Queen. The actual time they will arrive in Abingdon is unpredicatable. Last year Culham Lock was not working and they were delayed. This year they made good time, found the swans with the six Abingdon born cygnets near the Marina, and finished at around 5 PM.

They did not catch the swan with the two cygnets seen in last weekend’s blog.

Everything is unloaded on Naggs Head Island before they go to one of the local pubs for a few more drinks.

Abingdons Got Talent – 2010

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Abingdon's Got Talent
This was not the year when the dancers won top prize although they brought a lot of colour…

and entertainment to the final of Abingdon’s Got Talent.

This is the view from up on the County Hall roof.

The judges were the same as in the auditions apart from the introduction of Geraldine Peers from BBC TV News. Geraldine has supported this event for the three years it has happened.
Abingdon's Got Talent
The winner in the 17 and under category was this singer.

And this young lady won the over 17s group, which also means the chance to spend 3 hours in the recording studio and produce a record.

There followed a few group pictures of organiser, judges, compere, and winners.

This was not the only talent performing in Abingdon today. At the NET (young peoples centre) was the very well organised NET Fest with different performance areas – like a mini Glastonbury. No pictures I’m afraid, athough I expect some will soon appear on the NET’s website.

There were also some good performances in the Abingdon Drama Club production of ‘An experiment with an air pump.’

Green Pastures

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Thanks to Sue for sending this picture…
Sea Cadets
8 Cadets from Abingdon joined with other cadets from Oxford, Milton Keynes and High Wycombe to form a team from Ox & Bucks district, taking part in the Area Paddlespprts Regatta at Reading. Pictured are the Abingdon team (plus team dog, Rosco). Some are going on to the national final.

The Sea Cadets were one of Patricia Hobby’s charities. The boxing club gym fund was the other. Sue and her daughter – one of Pat Hobby’s Mayoral Cadets – were at Pat’s service yesterday at the crematorium.

It was a family service but the family had given an open invitation to friends and colleagues of Pat to join them. The retiring collection was for Pat’s charities.

One of her two sons gave a tribute to his mother. He said that Pat was a very determined lady. Their father died unexpectedly and she had to be mother and father to her two boys from very early on. Pat did everything in her power to give them a good start in life, along with all the other children she taught in Abingdon.

During her year as Mayor Pat also showed great determination. She had not let on how ill she really was and carried on with her duties.

Shephering Geese
I accompanied her to the air and country show, and we walked around saying hello to so many stall holders, and saw some ex pupils. It was cold, and we were making our way back, not before time, when she stopped to watch something that made her laugh… the sheep dogs hurding geese.