It was a lovely sunny day and lots of people went to the Abbey Gardens for Fun in the Park.

Near the entrance, extinction rebellion had a quote from David Attenborough: ‘The collapse of civilisation and the natural world is on the horizon.’ They had a useful leaflet about steps people can take locally to try to help avert disaster. On 21st March 2019 (before the local elections) The Vale of White Horse District Council joined a growing number of local authorities in declaring a climate emergency.

Tim, the new curator of the Abbey Buildings, was out in a monk’s outfit.

There were over twenty community groups with stalls with games and information. Home Start Southern Oxfordshire are a voluntary home-visiting scheme, which supports families with at least one child under five. They have been operating for thirty years in the area, and ensure families get the right volunteer, and always see the same person.

Thankyou to Steve from the Friends of Radley Lakes for this picture of a winner of a Teddy on the Tombola.

There were lots of activities such as bouncing castles, a climbing wall, and crafts.

On the main stage, which will be used by Music in the Park this evening, there was a variety of entertainments. I saw a swing band, Scottish Dancing, and the Abingdon Music Centre Community Orchestra – pictured above.

A Rainbow flag is flying over the County Hall in Abingdon-on-Thames for the first time. The flag is a symbol of LGBTQ Pride, and June 1st is the start of Pride Month.

Town Council policy has changed now that the Lib-Dems have taken over from the Conservatives on the Town Council. The Lib-Dems supported the flying of the rainbow flag while in opposition. It became an issue two or three years ago.

Fun in the Park is a free family event that takes place in the day time of Saturday 1st June in the Abbey Gardens. There are entertainers on the stage, and community stalls, as well as lots of activities including bouncy castle, face painting, a climbing wall, balloon twisting. There are also food vans.

Music in the Park takes place in the evening of Saturday 1st June from 4:30pm. There is music from Local bands; Nevada, Fallen Angels, The Voodoo Penguins and Hope & Glory. The events ends with a Proms Concert by Abingdon Town Band and a Grand Firework Display. Throughout the evening there will be food vans and bars.

Wristbands for this year’s event cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. Under 5’s are free but will need a band for entry. They can be obtained from the Abbey Cinema.

It is the late May Bank Holiday Weekend and the Salter Steamer river services between Abingdon and Oxford have started again.

At Abingdon Lock, River Banksy has created a couple of new sculptures for the new boating season.

The Open Air pool has opened. There were some bands playing at the Crown and Thistle. And Bank Holiday Monday will have free walks put on by the Friends of Abingdon.

There will be guided walks leaving the Market Place at 10.30 and 14.00. Morning walks are:

1556 Boundary Walk – with a Town Councillor and a Town Crier
Lost Abbey Tour – with a member of the Twin Towns Society
Alternative Flowerbeds – with Abingdon Carbon Cutters
Rivers of Abingdon – with an enthusiast from the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust

and in the afternoon there will be:

A Wildlife Walk to Radley Lakes – with Abingdon Naturalists
Abingdon’s Industrial Past walk – with the Town Archivist
Art About Abingdon walk – with the ‘Backstreeter’ (the Abingdon blogger)

When it comes to the ‘Art About Abingdon walk’ I will not have all the answers. Blacksmith artist Jon Mills created the railings near Waitrose but I cannot work out what he had in mind with that rectangle with holes.

That animal on the left is very familiar too but, as I write up my notes for the walk, I cannot remember why.