Annual Mayor Making, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2024

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Before the annual Mayor Making, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council met at the Guildhall to do ‘boring things’ such as deciding committee places.

The Council, led by the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Gwyneth Lewis, paraded down to St Helen’s Church to be welcomed by the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.

The Morris Dancers then danced around the Mayor-elect, Councillor Gabby Barody,

Councillor Gwyneth Lewis made a short speech about her year as Mayor and gave a cheque of £2,060 for her charity, Reducing the Risk. She also gave Abingdon Mayor’s Awards to members of the Community,

Judy Hashman, the secretary and organiser of the Abingdon and District Volunteer Centre, should have been first, but sadly since accepting the award, Judy had died, and the award was collected by her son and family.

There was an award for Frank Jordan who helps make Abingdon Lock the friendliest on the River Thames, and has been volunteering there for twelve years.

There was an award for Roger Baker who is one of Oxfam’s longest serving volunteers with 55 years of loyal and dedicated service

DAWN (Didcot, Abingdon, Wantage Talking Newspaper) also got an award. Members have been providing a service for 31 years for the blind and partially sighted.

Councillor Gabby Barody was elected the new Mayor and received the chain of office and Mayoral robes.

She signed the declaration of office and made a short speech. The theme of her year will be inclusivity. Her charities will be One Planet Abingdon and The Abingdon Voluntary Services.

The new deputy Mayor is Councillor Rawda Jehanli.

The ceremony ended with closing prayers from the Mayor’s Chaplain. Deacon Selina Nisbett was chaplain last year, and will continue as part of a multifaith chaplaincy with four people, including Father Jamie – Roman Catholic, Dr Hamid Al-Shejni – Imam, Ms Pat Winslow – Humanist.

The Abbey Brass  played the National Anthem. The Mayor and their party then stopped near the back to greet councillors and guests. Light refreshments were served.

Another celebrated Abingdon Woman

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Anna Clyne portrait by © Christina Kernohan

Anna Clyne was born in London, and grew up in Abingdon, attending Dunmore School. Her love of music began here, composing her first piece at age 7. Drawn to various genres like pop, rock, and jazz, she explored music through piano and later the cello. She studied music at the University of Edinburgh and the Manhattan School of Music and has since then become one of the best known British composers. She was named as one of the top ten most performed contemporary composers in the world and the most-performed living female British composer in both 2022 and 2023. Here are a couple of her pieces:

Anna Clyne: Within Her Arms. Elim Chan conducts an ensemble of Philharmonia string players.

The Heart of Night with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

See annaclyne.com for more information.

Hi-Viz Man saves Abingdon from Grid-lock

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A car had parked in the disabled bay directly opposite the barriers in Stert Street, bringing traffic to a halt as a 35 bus could not squeeze through. A couple of policemen arrived but the car’s driver could not be found.

Minutes ticked by, and the traffic queue grew longer and backed up Vineyard and Stratton Way. Then a man in a yellow hi-viz jacket, possibly from the bus company, took charge at the side of the bus and the policeman at the front. The bus slowly inched forward. Hi-Viz Man pulled back the barriers just enough so that the bus could squeeze through.

Other buses and lorries were able to follow with inches to spare.

Christian Aid and Walking Festival

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The Abingdon Christian Aid group had a colourful stall at the marketplace selling plants, preserves, books etc. They were also taking donations to fight global hunger.

The Vale of White Horse Ramblers group organised some walks as part of the walking festival.

Walks left the Market Place during Saturday morning and the early afternoon. The day was sunny and many of the walks were fully booked.

There were other themed stalls on the Market Place. They included the Oxford Fieldpaths Society who organise their own walks and have one starting in Abingdon on May 16th. They also try to keep footpaths open and provide improved access with better gates.

The Abingdon Eagles provide Adult walking basketball at the White Horse Leaisure and Tennis Centre.

The White Horse Leisure Tennis Centre has an extensive senior activities programme designed to enhance physical and mental wellbeing, with the chance to chat before and after.