Abingdon & District Volunteer Centre: 50 Years of Helping Our Community

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The Abingdon & District Volunteer Centre (ADVC) celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The organisation provides transport for elderly and frail clients to appointments at hospitals, medical surgeries, and dental centres in Abingdon and the surrounding area. The first phone call for assistance was received on 20th November 1973.

Volunteer drivers and booking volunteers gathered for a celebratory meal, joined by the Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Councillor Gwyneth Lewis. The Mayor thanked them for their service, noting that her mother was one of the organisation’s earliest drivers and that she, as a doctor, understands the importance of their work.

Drivers said they enjoy meeting so many interesting people through their volunteer work.

Those interested in volunteering can contact ADVC at 01235 522438 (weekdays 10:00-12:30) or visit their Facebook page: Abingdon drivers. They are a friendly group and you would be made very welcome.

ADVC is a non-profit organisation, and its charges are significantly lower than taxi services. Drivers also wait for clients and bring them home again, providing a seamless and appreciated service.

Abingdon Baptist Church Christmas Fayre (and free tokens for 35 Ock Street)

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The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames opened the Abingdon Baptist Church Christmas Fayre at 10 am. 

The Town Crier announced that purchasers could enjoy a ‘plethora of perusing pulpitude’, or something similar. He knows some long words and strings them together in an astonishing alliterative assemblage.

Inside there was a lot to buy.

On the way in, we were given a Christmas Card with the word ‘JOY’ and tokens to get free drinks from 35 Ock Street, the Church in Abingdon’s open cafe, on the premises. We got two coffees and bought a large piece of carrot cake for £1.60 that we shared. My wife said it was the best carrot cake she’d ever tasted.

Renowned Comedian and Author Matt Lucas at Abingdon Book Signing Event

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Thank you to B for this report.

While walking along Stert Street on Monday Evening after picking up my prescription, I saw a queue outside Mostly Books.

The reason for the queue became obvious as I passed the window. Renowned comedian and actor Matt Lucas was inside, signing copies of his first children’s novel, “The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas.”

Matt has written children’s books before now, but not a novel. He wrote ‘My Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Silly Book of Jokes’ and ‘My Very … Silly Book of Pranks’ and ‘My Very … Silly Book of Games’ and ‘My Very … Silly Book of True and False’. It begins with ‘A group a Zebras is called a crossing. TRUE OR FALSE?’ The answer is in the book.

Upcoming events

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The annual Abingdon Baptist Church Christmas Fayre features a variety of stalls selling handmade crafts, food, and gifts. There will also be free drinks at 35 Ock Street.

At St Nicolas Church, on Friday 17 & Saturday 18 November, there is exhibition showcasing the work of local artists and craftspeople. There will be a variety of items for sale, including paintings, pottery, jewellery, and glassware.

Then the following Friday 24th, at the Abbey Buildings, there will be exhibitions and discussions around the subject of Climate Justice.

10am – 1pm: Climate Fresk workshop More info

11am – 3pm: Grand Opening of “Fashion Footprint : Stories from the wardrobe – an Exhibition“.