Category Archives: Events

Sky Diving Mayor and Deputy

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Sky Dive
The Mayor of Abingdon and his Deputy took part today in sky dive to raise money for the Mayor’s Charities, one of which is the Fire Fighters Charity. The fund raising was joined by firemen from Bicester.
Sky Dive
All did a tandem jump which involves being strapped to an instructor.
Sky Dive
and taken by a very cramped aircraft up to about 13,000 feet over Royal Air Force – Weston on The Green. The cloud level was about 5,000 feet. Then they threw themselves out of the plane, fell for about 30 seconds to just above the clouds. The parachutes were then successfully opened.
Sky Dive
Not much more to tell. There was a lot of wheeling round as the parachutes came near the ground. After landing, the Mayor was raring to have another go, but his Deputy felt a little sick – being somebody who can’t even do a fairground ride normally.

Displays for Mayor of Ock Street’s Day June 19th!

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Morris Men in Fat Face
On June 19th the residents of Ock Street choose The Mayor of Ock Street – or Mock Mayor of Abingdon. I have a suspicion that this is a very important year for the Morris Dancers.

There are two groups of Traditional Abingdon Morris Dancers. For 40 long years they have not danced together. But things are happening…

Two weeks ago at the Cherry Tree in Steventon both groups were there together and some were looking for a chance to dance together.
Morris Men in Scuffs
Whoever becomes Mock Mayor, and leader of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, will need to handle this situation. Get it wrong and there could be three groups of Morris Dancers. The new group would be those who want to end the forty year feud and dance together.
Morris Men in Merityre
There are displays in the shops of Abingdon to promote the annual election – in Fatface, Scuffs , and Merityre.

(The real Mayor of Abingdon will be dancing on the day as a member of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. There was talk earlier in the year that he might also stand to become Mock Mayor. I don’t think that is going to happen. But he is to jump out of an aeroplane tomorrow for charity. See more and sponsor him on The Mayor of Abingdon’s Brand New Website. )

Sea Cadets on Parade

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Sea Cadet Inspection
Here are a couple of pictures from the annual inspection of Abingdon’s very own Sea Cadet’s by the regional Officer – seen here comparing his own boot-shine with that of an Abingdon Sea Cadet.
Sea Cadets on Parade Shine
Also present were… The High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, The chair of VWHDC, Mayor of Abingdon, representatives of the other local Cadet forces, The Thames Valley Police, A Fitzharries school teacher (‘school teachers of cadets are always welcome’)… + Friends and family.

The cadets performed a Ceremonial Guard and were presented with certificates and badges earned during the year.

Thanks to Sue for the pictures. (‘The Sea Cadets are a voluntary uniformed youth organisation, open to all young people aged 12 to 18 which provides fun, friendship, adventure, and learning on water and on land.’)

Italian Market

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Italian Cheese at the Market
We got some of this strangely shaped Caciocavallo cheese at the Italian Market in town today. The London-based market travels around the UK throughout the year bringing a taste of Italy to the provinces, and this is the second year it has been to Abingdon.
Italian Olives at the Market
We also bought a mix of olives, stuffed vine leaves and artichokes from this stall. Food on sale is produced in Italy and represents many different Italian regions. Only the bread is baked in London.
Italian Market with balloons
Costa had a display of balloons round their tables that complemented the Tricolor Market Stalls.
Italian Market From Jessops
This final picture was taken inside Jessops.