The Post Box Topper on Abingdon Market Place has a nautical look. Secret Crocheters Post Box-Toppers have raised £1,279 for charities before this one. Donations for this topper will go to the Great Ormond Street Hospital via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/secret-crocheter4.
Under Abingdon Bridge, a Salters Steamer called ‘Goring’ steamed away to Oxford this Bank Holiday morning.
In Abingdon this afternoon, the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were dancing outside the Punchbowl.
On Saturday, there was a Balloon and Fireworks Festival at Abingdon Airfield.
On Sunday, there was J-Fest 22 (the music festival accessible to all – not far from Abingdon).
The Abingdon Drama Club annual walk into Oxford left Abingdon at 11 am. The walk is organised by Kevin Thompson, author of Willy and Wally the windscreen wipers. Kevin has been a stage manager for years. The walkers included directors, actors, lighting, and sound. They usually have a drink at Sandford Lock on the way.
One of the first things they saw on the way was the other swan family, the Mill Stream swans.
At St Nicolas Church, a book sale with coffee and cakes raised money for church funds. Books were good value at 50p each and 3 for £1.
At Abingdon Rugby Ground, the Oddballs Scooter Rally is on all weekend and many people are camping. On the Market Place, one scooter was parked. Others drove by, but not in the huge numbers sometimes seen during Oddball’s rallies.
The swan uppers returned to Abingdon for the first time since 2019.
In 2020, there was no swan upping because of Covid restrictions.
In 2021, the five-day census of the River Thames’ swans was reduced to three days and did not reach Abingdon.
In 2022, the five-day census is back with a change. Record temperatures meant cygnets were examined in the boats with a lighter touch – to reduce the stress.
On Friday morning, the convoy of rowing boats and motorboats set off from Caversham for their final day, ending in Abingdon.
Some people at Abingdon Sailing Club kept an Abingdon family of two adults and eight cygnets feeding at the bank until the swan uppers were in sight.
The man steering the first skiff shouted ‘Swan Up!’ to indicate swans ahead. The uppers surrounded the swan family.
Seven of the cygnets were caught for examination. The adult swans were kept in a reasonably good mood.
But one cygnet got away. She/he was pursued by the Royal Swan motorboat downstream and across the river. Having escaped that chase, the cygnet returned to be near her/his parents, and the Royal Swan motorboat made another attempt. The cygnet made another dash through a flotilla of boats.
The examination of the seven other cygnets continued. Only after they were released did the chase for the final cygnet cease.
The swan uppers then rowed through Abingdon to Abingdon Bridge.
The swan uppers stood and turned to face the crowd on the bridge and toast the Queen.
The swan uppers then disembarked at Nags Head Island.
The family of swans went to one of their stops to forget their encounter with the Royal swan uppers.
Seven of the cygnets have a ring on their legs.
Volunteers were setting up the plot to plate community event this evening. The event looks big, and The Abbey Buildings and grounds are being fully used. These planters are examples of the great variety of ways to grow plants. The rag bunting used at the Jubliee in the Meadow is getting re-used.
The event starts at 11am. There is more information at https://abingdonabbeybuildings.co.uk/plot-to-plate-community-festival/
At St Nicolas Church, volunteers were setting up the Kennington Memory Club Summer Sale that is on from 10 am – 12 noon.
For youngsters in South Abingdon, the annual Play and Activity Day will be from 11 am until 3 pm.
P.S. This morning, the blog had a frightening security message. That was my fault. The security certificate was out of date and needed replacing.
Other people have told me they see a strange page when they google Abingdon Blog. The google robot got lost when it last visited. Maybe next time it will find the right place.
