Albert Park is a 19th-century formal park with green spaces and trees, and a statue of Prince Albert near the top. Today there was sun and shade and forsythia was flowering.
There was also bird song and blossom. The park is surrounded by large houses, Abingdon School, St Michael’s Church,
and Trinity Church, all from Victorian times. Through these trees, as well as Trinity can be seen the more recent bowling clubhouse.
The Abingdon Horticultural Society spring show is this weekend. (Thank you to Janet for letting me know). There was an autumn show in 2021, but this is the first spring show since 2020
The Abingdon Horticultural Society was founded in 1885 and so must be one of Abingdon’s oldest societies. The society was established ‘to promote knowledge of and interest in horticulture in Abingdon and its vicinity, and to encourage cottagers in the cultivation of their gardens.’
One garden we can all take an interest in is that of St Ethelwold’s House, from which I have a picture of the white bluebells,
and another of tulips.
Over the other side of the River Thames, the clumps of daffodils are in flower.
It was a showery day, and a rainbow could be seen from Abingdon Bridge.
The neighbours on the Workhouse Estate are fundraising for the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Their first event was on Saturday when they organised a sale outside one of the Oxford Road houses and raised an astonishing £1038 in cash plus a lot more in online donations.
Next up is a concert on 30th April where well-known local musician George Haslam will be performing as part of the Strannik trio. “Strannik” is an international trio fronted by Tatiana Soloviova on vocals and guitar, with pianist Olga Meadows and George Haslam on saxophone.
Tatiana is a recording artist and a prize winner at several competitions including Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Olga is an established piano professor and performing pianist in classics and jazz, George is a well-traveled musician on the international jazz scene.
Special guest on the night is solo vocalist/guitarist Glenda Huish presenting her own very personal combination of words and music.
Thanks to Hester for this.
Car Parking charges in Abingdon go up from 4th April. The big change is that only one hour will now be free in public car parks. It uses to be two hours free parking. You can check the Vale website for the full charges, but two hours will now cost £1.50.
There were also tariff changes for street parking, which are now slightly cheaper for two hours.