On Sunday at St Ethelwold’s House in Abingdon people came together for the Great Get Together.

It included a big bring and share lunch. Drinks were served from one table, salads and savouries from under a gazebo, and the puddings and cakes from St Ethelwold’s Hearth.

We all got a label to say who we are.

There was music throughout the afternoon.

The children were enjoying the clay modelling table. But as a few of them came from overseas and are being helped by Host Abingdon, here are two adults enjoying the clay modelling table.

The Great Get Together is a celebration of the fact that we have more in common than … , inspired by the murdered MP Jo Cox.

On the other bank of the River Thames, at Rye Farm Meadow, on Saturday, big crowds were attracted to the Abingdon Food Festival.

It featured a lot of caterers with flavours from all round the world.

The Greek Souvlaki stall looked the most popular. I did not ask why people were queuing there when most stalls had much smaller queues.

The cookery displays also looked popular.

The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper. These Rotary members are from Oxford Rotary but told me that Abingdon Vesper are high flying stars in the world of Rotary for the big events they organise and the amount they raise for charity. In 2019 the Food Festival profit goes to good causes, 50% to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Music was provided by bands at a central stage. This is the Ock Street Band, a group of Abingdon based musicians named after an ancient Abingdon road.

Like any rotary event there were also a lot of community stalls. The Stonehill Community Gardens in Abingdon have land off Oday Hill where people can learn about gardening. It is open every Wednesday, 10 am – 4 pm.They say Drop-in or stay all day​. Volunteer and get involved … be closer to nature, learn and share skills and make friends.

I had a go with a Virtual Reality headset that gave an idea what it is like with dementia at the Bellevie care stall. They are a commercial group looking to expand in the Abingdon area. They aim to create care teams that give personalised care for the elderly.

The first Abingdon Pride Day was officially opened by the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Cheryl Briggs, and the MP of Abingdon, Layla Moran.

The event had been put together by Abingdon Town Council in just 4 weeks, with the help of Dawn, who organises events like the Abingdon Chilli Festival. The day came together very well. The very colourful Ashnah were one of the first acts performing.

The Cancer Research stall, and shop had a reminder that cancer does not discriminate. We are all in it together.

The Conservative Party were having fun with their leadership content. Who do you fancy? (for PM) Jeremy Hunt or Boris Johnson.

On the main stage large crowds gathered to watch the acts.

Some of them were very colourful and larger than life.

At the Fire Station in Abingdon there was also a completely separate open day. Carswell School Fete was also happening a street away. It was also the Abingdon Food Festival which drew huge crowds (more of that tomorrow or the next day). The recruiting fire engine had the rainbow flag for diversity and non discrimination.

Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers (LAGLO) were on the Market Place. LAGLOs work to encourage the reporting of transphobic, bi-phobic and homophobic incidents.
The first Abingdon Pride Day was fun. But behind it is a history of discrimination and bullying.

In the evening there was an open microphone night with some poetry at Pablo’s Lounge. This was the first Abingdon Pride Day. It was also the first Open Mic. night for poetry I had been to in Abingdon.