New High Street Shop Sparks Curiosity

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A new shop on Abingdon’s High Street has its shelves stocked. It is where Conway opticians used to be. This newcomer still needs to unveil its name or open, but shelves are lined with vape products, crisps, and sweets. There are also phone cables. An array of hookahs (bongs) takes centre stage in the window. We are no longer quite so shocked by such things here in Abingdon. The new barber has some in the window. Abingdon’s last town centre newsagent was the first to display hookahs in the window.

Sunday and Monday Sunshine

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We’ve been enjoying the sun
for two days on the run.

The clouds in this picture seem to grow on branches like the blossom on the nearest tree.

The boardwalk near Abingdon Lock is no longer underwater. The earth beside the river has a marshy smell of decay after the floods go.

NSPCC Raises Money and Awareness at Market Stall

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The NSPCC stall on the Abingdon Market Place on Saturday was fundraising to help the NSPCC provide crucial services like the Childline helpline, support programs, and educational resources.

But they weren’t just there for money. Being at the market helped them remind people of their aim to keep children safe. The NSPCC has a 10-minute digital training called ‘Listen Up, Speak Up’ giving advise what to do if you’re ever worried about a child or their family.

Abrail 2024: Celebrating 50 Years of Model Railway Shows in Abingdon

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Abrail 2024 is the 50th anniversary exhibition of the Abingdon and District Model Railway Club (ADMRC). It takes place over two days, on Saturday, March 2nd and Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, at Abingdon and Witney College in Abingdon.

There were two layouts of the Abingdon Branch in the sports hall, one at O Gauge

and one at OO gauge.

The Chair of ADMRC, Bill Marnan, showed round the Mayor of Abingdon, Councellor Gwyneth Lewis. She remembered going on the Abingdon Branch line to school in Oxford.

Over 40 model railway layouts were on display, showcasing various scales, styles and places, most real, some fictitious. They were sited in the main college building on two floors, the Advanced Skills Centre, and the Sports Hall. On the second floor were some fun layouts, more for young families, including Lego City, Abingdon.

Railways were important in World War Two, and the Overlord layout depicted the railways at the dockyards in the days surrounding the invasion of Normandy. It has been under construction for thirty years.

The event was very popular and there was a wait to get to look at some of the layouts in the main building. There wasn’t even elbow room at Elbow Lane!!!

There were traders selling model railway products. The event also included talks, and demonstrations.

The Abingdon and District Model Railway Club website has more information.