Two upcoming events that may be of interest are Talking Maps and The Big Fix

Upstairs in Abingdon Library, there is a showcase, and board, displaying old maps of Abingdon. One of the maps has all the buildings coloured a pretty pink.

Next Thursday the Oxfordshire History Centre and the Bodleian Library will be showcasing maps from their archives.

Talking Maps is a celebration of maps and what they tell us about the places they depict and the people that make and use them.

The Big Fix 2020, repair cafe, is before then, this Saturday.

You will find it in one of the Northcott barns. (This map is from a book of Berkshire by John Rocque and from 1761- the year of the Coronation of King George III and Abingdon’s first recorded bun throwing.)

In the New Books at Abingdon Library is a book called Twenty One Truths About Love. The book is written by Daniel, a list maker. His Love Story is revealed through the lists he writes each day.

Valentine’s Day List in Abingdon …

1. Cupcake from Parson’s Bakery in Bury Street.

2. Red fluffy heart from the finishing touch in Stert Street.

3. For You card from Belinda’s in West St Helen Street.

4. Go to the Rainbow’s end along Bridge Street.

5. Get fabulous flowers along the way

6. If all that fails, go to the Gig at the Old Anchor.

This picture of the County Hall in Abingdon on Thames was taken at 11 pm on 31st January 2020. Britain has just left the European Union.

There is a fine drizzle. Sami’s queue continues unchanged. There is a phut phut where somebody has launched a small rocket but no bang or shower of sparks. We are entering a new era but unlike new year there is no tradition for leaving the EU.

Having walked around the town centre and failed to find any signs of celebration, I check the time. No bells were rung. There was no dancing in or outside the pubs. Some people watched a face on a large screen explaining the significance of this day.

Flight Lieutenant Mike Randles was in the RAF during WWII and took part in reconnaissance flights over Germany, France, Italy and Norway. Over Norway he took pictures, while balancing in precarious positions in the hold of a plane, to try to identify where Germany was manufacturing heavy water – used in nuclear fission and of use in building an atomic bomb.

In a service last Sunday at St Nicolas Church, Abingdon, a window was dedicated to Mike and Barbara Randles. The Organ then played the 633 squadron theme.

Outside St Nics, a notice was being put up to advertise the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

This week starts with a Church in Abingdon (CiA) joint service on Sunday 19th January 2020, 3 pm, at Christ Church, Northcourt Road, led by Revd Paul Smith with refreshments and an exhibition of CiA task groups after the service.

Then midday prayers Monday 20th – Friday 24th January, at 12 noon led by various people at St Nicolas Church.

Finally there is the CiA Inter-church quiz on Friday 24 January 2020, 7.30 pm, at St Michael’s Church, Park Road.