National Sweet Pea Festival comes to Abingdon

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National Sweet Pea Show
The National Sweet Pea Society held their National Show at Millets Farm, Abingdon, last weekend. The sweet pea was introduced to the UK thanks to a Sicilian monk, Franciscus Cupani, who studied the flora of his Island, and sent seeds to this and other countries. The rest is history and “A Sweet Pea Journey through Time.”
National Sweet Pea Show
The show was located in the large marquee near the play area and farm animals.
National Sweet Pea Show
There were many sweet peas to admire – both for their paper-like blooms, and their delicate fragrance.

Open Day at The Vet

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Open Day at The Vet
I tried to imagine what Open Day at The Vet would be like beforehand. The signs had been up for some time in front of the Boundary Veterinary Centre on the Oxford Road in Abingdon. And so when TODAY arrived I went to find out.
Open Day at The Vet
I imagined that it would be a chance to look round the treatment rooms and talk to the vets. There was a little bit of that.

But mostly it was about some of the animal charities the vets and their receptionists support.
Open Day at The Vet
The Cats Protection League were there with some of their cats and kittens.
Open Day at The Vet
They also had a stall.

There was an information board for another Charity called IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection of Animal).

Some people brought their dogs and were relaxing with Tea and Cakes, or having a go on the raffle or other stalls.
Open Day at The Vet
There were also two sheep, and a ferret.

So it was partly a chance to look round the clinic, and partly a fete raising money and awareness for animal charities.

Annual Summer Celebration

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Annual Summer Celebration
At St Ethelwold’s House yesterday they had the annual summer celebration. Visitors enjoyed tea and cakes in the garden, and some joined in circle dancing, followed by a time in the Sanctuary – celebrating the cycle of life that came into being in the spring, reaches its height of glory in summer, and then dies at harvest. Somebody quoted “‘Where there is light, there must be shadow, where there is shadow there must be light.”
Annual Summer Celebration
Mark’s wildflower meadow at the bottom of the garden is named after a young man who died last year under tragic circumstances. The Prime Minister admitted the government were wrong to cut his benefits. And Atos, the company in charge of assessing whether a lot of vulnerable people like Mark should return to work or not, have lost their government contract because of the way they have mishandled cases.

I see from the St Ethelwold’s Blog that Mark loved nature, and the garden. He even had an art exhibition in the Garden Room in 2005.

Exbourne Road Street Party

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Exbourne Road Street Party
Street parties are a good way to meet your neighbours and build community spirit, and Exbourne Road started doing Street Parties back in 2011, and 29th June 2014 was their fourth year.
Exbourne Road Street Party
Normally, Exbourne Road has cars parked down both sides, but the road closure meant that it looked as it did in the 1950s. Back then the children could play in the street: football, cricket with painted stumps on a wall, British Bulldog, and Roller Skating in the Prince of Wales Carpark.
Exbourne Road Street Party
Bunting is of course essential for a Street Party.
Exbourne Road Street Party
For the four hours the road was closed there was lots going on. Ashnah performed.
Exbourne Road Street Party
As did Mr Hemmings Traditional Morris Dancers.

There was a talk about the history of the street by the two longest staying residents – one of whom had been there in the 1950s, and her family from the 1930s. “Exbourne Terrace, was build in 1875, and the other side added in 1905.”

There was a bun throwing competition, and other sports, and A Naffle: that is where all the prizes are naff but you must take them home. Then there was Guess Who? Numbered pictures showed the residents as young children.

Thanks to Clare for the invitation, and also Lucy, Matthew, Harry, and Penny who did a lot of the organising.