The 2nd Abingdon Scouts put on a spectacular fireworks display this evening behind Long Furlong Community Centre. It was a chance to enjoy some loud bangs, see some bright flashes and support a local Scout group. The 2nd Abingdon Scouts have over 100 young people in their activity programmes.

The ground was wet after the previous rain, but the weather was fine this evening. There was a good view of Orion overhead, with its nebula, before the fireworks created their own nebulas.

Most of the audience were young families, but there were a few of us trying to recapture the wonder of the fireworks of youth. The smell of gunpowder is even more evocative than the bangs and flashes.

The audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy the fireworks display. There were cheers and gasps during the display and, at the end of the show, an ovation.

The long-standing ‘material containing asbestos’ notices outside the former Chemist shop have been joined by jokey notices outside a lot of other shops in town. Caution tape says, “Enter If You Dare”, and cobwebby strands and orange pumpkins and spiders and skeletons and ghosts are there to give you a scare.

But beware, brave trick-or-treaters, for the greatest danger of all lurks near Abingdon Lock, among the leaves.

The Abingdon Passion Play is holding auditions on Saturday, September 23rd from 2:30pm at Peachcroft Christian Centre. All actors and singers are welcome to audition.

The play will be performed on June 22nd, 2024. It is a retelling of the Passion of Jesus Christ, and will feature a cast of over 100 people. This will be the 4th Abingdon Passion Play. Previous performances were in 2013, 2016 and 2019.

To register for an audition, please visit the Abingdon Passion Play website at www.abingdonpassionplay.co.uk..

The other event relating to the Passion Play is a fundraising concert. You can pay to attend, and the money will help fund the play.

The Abingdon Horticultural Society is hosting their annual Autumn Show this Saturday, September 9th, from 2pm to 4pm at the Northcourt Centre in Abingdon. The show will feature a variety of exhibits, including flowers, vegetables, fruit, plants, and handicrafts.

The annual Church Bike Ride and Stride is returning to Abingdon on Saturday, September 9th. This sponsored event is a great way to explore the town’s churches and get some exercise at the same time.

There will be nine churches manned in Abingdon, and many more further afield. Some of the churches will also be open for people to look around. The Abingdon route could take in:
* St Helens
* St Michael and All Angels
* Trinity Methodist and URC
* Abingdon Baptist Church
* St Nicolas
* Christ Church
* All Saints Methodist
* Peachcroft Christian Centre
* Our Lady and St Edmund of Abingdon

MG enthusiasts are invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the marque at a special event at Abingdon Cricket Ground on Sunday, September 10th. The event is open to all models of MG, from the very historic to the newest, and costs just £5 per car.

My Extinction will be screened at the Abbey Cinema on Friday September 8th from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. This documentary explores the potential extinction of humanity and the challenges we face in the 21st century.

Christian Garrick and The Budapest Café Orchestra will perform at the Amey Theatre on Saturday September 9th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. This world-renowned orchestra will play a mix of traditional and contemporary Hungarian folk music.