You may have read in yesterday’s post that in 1923 the film The Sheik was in Abingdon, starring Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayres.

A hundred years later, vintage Barbie dolls have been spotted in charity shop windows in Abingdon ahead of the first showing of the live-action Barbie film in the Abbey Cinema on July 28, 2023. The iconic 11-inch plastic doll, first released by Mattel in 1959, has become a cultural phenomenon. Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken, was introduced in 1961, followed by a host of friends and family members.

The live-action film is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. The film follows Barbie as she leaves Barbieland for an adventure in the real world where she meets various new people and learns about herself and the world around her.

To celebrate Barbie’s breakout film, the Abbey Cinema will serve Pink Proseccos and Double Pink G&Ts.

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.