
Today was Dalton Barracks Open Day. It is a chance for families associated with the barracks and the local community to get together.

There were quite a few different types of ethnic dancing. This group of Bangra dancers invited members of the audience to join in. In this picture I recognise Lorrain Oates (ex Mayor), two army officers, John Flood – Mayor of Didcot, and Elizabeth Drury – local historian. All had a go.

Fom Didcot were members of the bomb disposal team based there at Vauxhall barracks. This gentleman is having ago at controlling one of the bomb disposal robots.

The Chair of the Vale, and Mayor of Abingdon took part in a grog tasting ceremony which included them being given some garlands, and drinking a potion that numbs the lips.

There were lots of displays and stalls, all quite different from what you get at a usual fete or fun-day. Sky divers dropped in flying the flag.

There were also the ceremonial parts, such as the flag raising.

There was a good turnout since England had been knocked out of the World Cup. They would have been playing today. And the weather was fantastic.
Category Archives: Events
Keeping The Flag Flying

Clothes that were fashionable last Saturday and Sunday, like these bright England whites and reds, were replaced by more dowdy blues and browns by Monday. England flags also disappeared from the sides of cars.
Tabloid newspapers treated the England Team with the sort of scorn last used on Gordon Brown just before election day, saying “YOU LET YOUR COUNTRY DOWN”.

But England flags are still flying outside a lot houses. Perhaps people have not got round to taking them down, or maybe the flags have another significance – not just football. Who knows.

Last Saturday morning I went to a Fun Day on Sutton Way – the new Charity Shop – which raises money for Help For Heroes. Tomorrow is Open Day at Dalton Barracks where Help For Heroes is one of the charities.
Abingdons Got Talent Auditions – 2010

This is the third year of Abingdons Got Talent. Acts came from far and wide.

The judges this year were:
Steve Rich – Abingdon Town Band
Judy Gray – Head of Performing Arts, Abingdon & Witney College
Councillor Duncan Brown – Mayor of Abingdon
Eileen Bagshawe – Abingdon Drama Club

There were dancers.

This young lad of seven did some break dancing.

Friends came to support friends.

I didn’t see all of the acts but near the end there were two female singers who stood out as very good.

The final in on July 17th.
Museum Appeal
The Friends of Abingdon Museum have Launched an appeal to raise funds towards the museum improvements.

Kay has been designing I Love Abingdon, and various other badges and fridge magnets to sell.

The friends of the museum have designed a £1 Treasure Trail, and have an open gardens event in a couple of weeks time on July 10th. You buy a passport and it allows entry to six different gardens in Abingdon….

On Saturday the museum was open from top to bottom to help raise money, and a few days earlier the appeal was launched. That is Sir Hugo Brunner on the left who has been giving advise and useful contacts.

The chap on the left is one of the main fund raisers. Ruth Weinburg on the right is the expert on the pump in the museum basement. You may recognise the others. If not they are Nigel Warner (Town Clerk), Lesley Legge (Town Council leader), Duncan Brown (Mayor), and Julie Mayhew-Archer(wife of the co-author of the Vicar of Dibley).