Abingdon Air and Country Show – 2023

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Abingdon Air and Country Show
The Abingdon Air and Country Show was called off in September last year because of the death of the Queen two days before the event. This year there was a full show with a two-hour flying display at the end. The day was fine with blue sky.
Abingdon Air and Country Show
The display included among others the Titans Display Team ,
Abingdon Air and Country Show
a Bronco,
Abingdon Air and Country Show
and Westland Helicopters.
Abingdon Air and Country Show
Information about RAF Abingdon was provided in the programme (price £2) and in a tent. Somebody found a lot of booklets called The First Fifty Years of RAF Abingdon and gave them away for free. RAF Abingdon used the airfield until it was transferred to the army in 1992.
Abingdon Air and Country Show
As well as the airshow and static aircraft, a young motorcycle display team, with ages ranging from 6 to about 16, rode over ramps and in interweaving patterns.  Musicians played in one marquee, and craft makers displayed artifacts in another marquee. There were lots of stalls, and a fun fair.
Abingdon Air and Country Show
WWII re-enactors, including the Oxfordshire Home Guard, guarded their pitches.
Abingdon Air and Country Show
Hundreds of classic cars were parked near the display area, and at the other end were lorries, and some small traction engines.

The event, as well as giving lots of people a good day out, supports local charities and good causes. Thankyou to the organisers, and volunteers, for another wonderful show.

St Ethelwold’s Garden (mid May)

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St Ethelwold's Garden
Mid May, the secret crocheter has a gardening theme.

It is the third Friday of the month and there is a Farmer’s Market with a stall selling plants.
St Ethelwold's Garden
St Ethelwold’s Garden is open to explore. It is looked after by volunteer gardeners. People who enjoy the garden can leave donations that help pay for plants.

There are lots of Aliums mid May.
St Ethelwold's Garden
Irises are abundant.
St Ethelwold's Garden
These Clematises climb up part of the wall as you enter the garden, along with Wisteria,
St Ethelwold's Garden
and figs.
St Ethelwold's Garden
There are lots of pretty flowers and attractive leaves. Pink Sorrel has both.
St Ethelwold's Garden
There are cultivated varieties of plants and flowers, and wildflower areas. Wildflowers, like Green Alkanet, are great for bees and butterflies. My wife told me that bees prefer wildflowers.

Mayor Making

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Mayor Making
At the annual meeting of the Council (Mayor Making), Cllr Gwyneth Lewis was elected Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames for the civic year 2023-24.

Cllr Gabby Barody was elected as the Deputy Mayor.

The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers danced before the ceremony.
Mayor Making
The outgoing Mayor, Andy Foulsham, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gabby Barody, presented biodiversity awards to schools and community groups.
Mayor Making
There were also Mayor’s awards to:
* ATOM Science Festival
Mayor Making
* John Killick for promoting biodiversity in Abingdon and Oxfordshire
* Hilary Beale for Coordinating and managing Abingdon Food Bank and services to Girlguiding in Abingdon
* Paul Shipman for Services to Scouting in Abingdon
Mayor Making
The new Mayor is Councillor Gwyneth Lewis, elected for the first time just ten days ago. So the new council has chosen someone different than Gabby Barody, nominated by the outgoing council.

Gwyneth Lewis has a Wikipedia page if you want to know more about her role as a doctor and in promoting women’s health worldwide. She was born in Abingdon and went to Dunmore School and was in the first intake at St Nicolas Primary School. More recently, she set up a local residents group in Thames Street and campaigned about the Upper Reaches. Her charities will focus on domestic abuse and refuge. Her chaplain is Deacon Selina Nisbett.
Mayor Making
Deputy Mayor Councillor Gabby Barody is staying as Deputy Mayor for another year.

There is also a new Town Clerk. Nigel Warner retired last year. He was succeeded by somebody who fairly quickly resigned and the new interim Town Clerk is Paula Lopez, who previously worked at Wallingford Town Council.

Another change was that Abingdon Concert Band played instead of Abingdon Town Band.