Viv Boorman says there is a lot of publicity about the benefits of walking and she wants people to know about the Wellbeing Walks that happen on Mondays in Abingdon. New people would be very welcome.

Steve , will not be opening his garden for the second year running. It was a difficult decision but anybody who has been there will know that there are lots of plants but not much open space for people to easily mingle whilst socially distancing. There will however be a plant sale in the front.

The County Council’s Park and Charge project are bringing a roadshow of events to Abingdon on 14th August, helping people find out more about electric vehicles (EV) and giving them a chance to test drive one themselves. Attendees will be able to ask questions to EV experts, chat to local EV drivers and check out a range of models. More information at this link.

Also I heard that there was an open garden event at St Ethelwold’s House. August 3rd is the feast day of St Ethelwold, and so here is a picture of the house, after the event, on the feast day.

Helen sent me a flyer for the next big litter pick on 26th June. Thankyou to Newcomer for the important comment on the topic yesterday.

26th June is the same day as The Big Splash Open Day at the Abbey Buildings ( 10:00 am until 12:30 pm), where there will be dancing, live music, theatre, historic tours, and free refreshments.

Diana sent me an invitation to the Abingdon Artists Summer Art Exhibition which starts on Monday at St Helens Church, with original paintings, artwork and cards for sale.

The Abbey Cinema is open and features: Nomadland, the winner of the Oscar for the best film; The Father, the film about dementia in which Antony Hopkins won an Oscar; Euro 2020 football, including England v Scotland on 18th June; and family shows.

In the Oxfam Shop there is a reminder that June is the month to celebrate the LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, other) community and a chance get better at EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) of all people who get picked on for looking different.

A new coffee outlet has opened in what was the TSB Bank. Missing Bean have been in Oxford since 2009 and they have now opened in Abingdon and will also open in Banbury. They are an independent company who work directly with farmers and pay a fair price for the coffee they produce. They also roast their own coffee in East Oxford.

Nightlife has returned to Abingdon with pubs and restaurants open inside since May 21st.

The museum has also re-opened. Bookings can be made at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/visit-abingdon-museum-tickets-112962584130.

The Abingdon town flag is flying at half mast on the County Hall roof. The town council web site says that Mrs Rhoda (Sue) Crane has passed away at the age of 95. She served as the Mayor of Abingdon in 1993/94.

The Local Excellence Market was on yesterday (Saturday), with the zero-waste coffee event.

There were also some stalls on the Market Place today (unusual for Sunday).

The hoarding round Old Abbey House has been painted blue.

P.S. We were away for much of May and this is a quick catch up of things noticed today.

St George’s Day (April 23rd) is being observed by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council with the flying of the St George’s flag.

The Sue Ryder shop are also observing the day with a display of red and white clothes, wool, handbags, and St George’s Flags.

The exact date of William Shakespeare’s birthday is not recorded, but it is most often observed on 23rd April. He did die on 23rd April 1616.

In Abingdon Virginia, the Barter Theatre has found a way round the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic. They have performances at an abandoned drive-in movie theater – the Moonlite Theater on the edge of Abingdon. Currently playing at the Barter Moonlite is The Tempest by William Shakespeare.