In previous years, this last weekend in May would have been the day the Open Air Pool opened. Not this year. This year it is only planned to open for six weeks over the school holidays. Three years ago, £1.3m was invested in redeveloping the pool, and it is a big surprise that the pool is not being used more now it is brand new. The Oxford Mail photographer also arrived to get a group picture of the protesters who want it open for longer.

There was a ‘Queens Gambit’ chess tournament in the Roysse Room today organised by Abingdon Passion Play.

The groom arrived on his tractor for a wedding ceremony today, and took his bride away in unusual style.

I made a video featuring all these events and more. It also included people in East St Helen Street putting back the bunting that got knocked down by a lorry last Tuesday. There is even a look inside the Abbey Cinema foyer where Top Gun Maverick is being promoted.

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On one railing outside Abingdon Baptist Church, on Ock Street, is a banner to say the Chinese Brush Painting group have been exhibiting at 35 Ock Street. They also had a demonstration today.

The exhibition will be there until about Wednesday.

On the other railing is a banner for the Oxfordshire Drama Network Drama Festival. This involves 2 one-act plays per evening Wednesday-Friday. They are judged by an adjudicator who usually re-directs a short scene. 3 plays from the week are called back by the adjudicator for the Saturday Gala night on 18th June.

18th June is also the day of the election of the Mayor of Ock Street. Due to a family wedding, I will, unfortunately, miss it this year. I would be very grateful if somebody could send a few pictures to backstreet60@gmail.com.

It was easy to spot Wally this morning in Abingdon. They could be heard too, as younger Wallys chanted ‘Wally! Wally! Wally!’

Under the County Hall arches, there were experts checking bikes for free.

In the Climate Control Centre, in the basement, a Repair Workshop repaired electricals for free. This is a monthly event.

Over in the Guildhall, a craft fair attracted local crafters from Oxfordshire to sell their products.

A wedding party was gathered outside the Registry Office in Roysse Court.

April 23rd is St George’s Day and the Abingdon Crochet Artist has made a crochet for the day

Once upon a time, a dragon was terrifying the people in Abingdon. They had tried offering sheep to the dragon and the dragon ate all the sheep. They tried offering cows and the dragon ate all the cows. The people were thinking about offering their children. Then a brave young lady went out to plead on behalf of the children. The dragon looked at her and decided to eat her next.  A young man called George went out to try to save the young lady. The dragon breathed fire at him, but George spotted a lack of armour under the dragon’s wing and ran through the flames and killed the dragon with a sword. George married the young lady and they lived happily ever until George died and then he was made a saint.

The St George’s Flag can be seen on the county hall roof in Abingdon to celebrate St George.

23rd April is also World Book Night when you are encouraged to read a book during the Reading Hour from 7 – 8pm.