It was one of those Monday mornings when I could not find the car. I cut through the gap near the church and was surprised to find the car was not in the parking area by the River Ock.
Returning along St Helen’s Close, I cast an eye over West St Helen’s Street Carpark, before finding the car two doors up from our house, in West St Helen’s Street – covered in snow.
I suspect Alzheimer’s is a bit like that – as stronger memories take over from the more immediate past.
This morning St Helen’s Church began their 10:30 am service on St Helen’s Wharf. The service was the “Blessing of the Waters & festival of the Baptism of Christ”. The Blessing of the waters is an ancient tradition but this could be the first time it has been done beside the River Thames in Abingdon.
The service began with the congregation gathered on the wharf. They were then joined by the officiants and choir processing with the cross.
The Rector then greeted everybody… “Dear Friends in Christ, we gather today to celebrate the Baptism of Christ…”
After a hymn, some prayers, and bible readings, water was brought up from the River Thames and poured into the holy water bucket and then carried back to the church for the rest of the service.
Last night the there was a wedding fair at the Guildhall. Local businesses taking part included Frend & Co the jeweller, Added Ingredients, and Pure Marie (est 1936). Thanks to them for the picture. They said the wedding fair was very well organised and they enjoyed taking part.
The Guildhall is promoting itself as a wedding venue, and by the spring, when the architect has put together the first set of drawings we will see how it could offer a cinema. Marie used to be located next to the Regal cinema in Abingdon.
Road works are taking place near Abingdon Community Hospital this week. There is an unused plot of land between Abingdon Motorcycles and Abingdon Court Care Home on Marcham Road, and Thames Water are working to supply water to the plot.
The plot was for many years covered by a mound of earth. It is now about to be built on.
A planning application was allowed on appeal for this plot (back in 2006) for a four storey residential development comprising 14 one & two bedroom flats with parking for twelve cars. So my guess is that there will be flats. But there are more interesting rumors that KFC are coming to Abingdon either here, or in the Abbey Shopping Centre.