Two new town maps have been installed by the riverside and Rye Farm car park. They were created and paid for by Pat Bryden in memory of Alan Bryden ‘who worked to make Abingdon a better place’. Alan was often involved in community events, and also served as a County Councillor and Town Councillor.
Here he is leading the Boundary Walk on 1st January 2012 and talking to former Freeman of Abingdon, Mrs Janet Morgan.
The Abingdon Horticultural Society’s spring show was held at the Northcourt Centre, in Abingdon yesterday. The glorious colour of Spring flowers could be seen in arrangements,
and by flower type.
Pictures of gardens that had been visited and judged were shown on display boards near the stage.
In another room there were art and crafts, jams and preserves, and craft work by children.
The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Margaret Crick, was there to present prizes and give a short speech. She congratulated members on their displays, particularly the daffodils which looked wonderful even though daffodils were finished in many Abingdon gardens. As a member of Abingdon Horticultural Society, the Mayor said that she would be there at the Autumn Show as a member and no longer as the Mayor. The Mayoral year begins and ends at the Mayor Making in May. She had a busy day, not just attending the Horticultural show, and Abingdon Passion Play, but also two or three other events.
The third Abingdon Passion Play was on today in the Abbey Gardens.
In the two hours before the play, from 12 – 2 pm, there was a chance to look round the community stalls and take part in activities.
There was a display by Gideons from Abingdon who give Bibles, and New Testaments to schools, hotels, hospitals, prisons etc.
The Abingdon Carbon Cutters were there letting us know about some of their campaigns including Plastic Free Abingdon.
Hilary Green, Mayor of Abingdon (2003 – 2004) was there as the Chairperson of the Abingdon Sea Cadets.
The Vineyard Church had a very popular Easter Egg hunt, something they do every year, but this year part of The Big Easter Event..
St Ethelwolds House were there to let us know about their activities, such as Mindfulness Courses, and about Oxfordshire Artweeks which I will do separately some time in the near future.
The local National Trust group had a stall to let us all know about their talks and tours.
At 2 pm, the Passion Play began. It was quite different from previous productions. All the action took place on a stage with a big screen behind. The screen sometimes showed the action magnified, and sometimes showed the choir. There were three very good actors, from LAMPS theatre, playing: Marcus, a centurion, Mary Magdalene, and Simon Peter. Through their eyes, we saw the last days of Jesus who was there, in some sense, but never seen.
The local community came on for other roles and crowd scenes.
The script and eight songs were created for the production, and the songs sung by a large choir.
Near the end Jesus was crucified,
and then rose again and appeared to Mary Magdelene.
There was a good audience and the production was well received. LAMPs will now go on tour with the production.
I am not sure whether community members like Mike Gould, who played Herod ‘Nigel Farage’, will be joining them.
Thankyou to Jane for sending this:
Singers, dancers and actors from the Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre are a group of talented 14 to 19-year-olds from all across the county, including quite a few from Abingdon.
Their latest production of 42nd Street is running now with tickets available for the shows on Friday 5th at 7pm and Saturday 6th at the 2pm and 7pm. The performance is at Radley College Theatre, Abingdon.
Tickets are available by searching We Got Tickets for 42nd Street OYMT on https://www.wegottickets.com or on the door if there are some left.