Walking out this evening there was a mixture of sunlight and rain.
No real suprise then to see a rainbow over the almshouses.
There was another good view from the Margaret Brown Gardens.
There was also a dramatic sky looking downstream towards Didcot.
On Heritage Day (Sat 11th September this year) we usually try to organise a competition. Two years ago there was ‘find an unusual object in shop window’. Last year it was a quiz. This year it is ‘Shops – Past and Present’.
These pictures of the Chinese Kitchen – Past and Present, come from The Judy Thomas and Elizabeth Drury book Abingdon – Past and Present. The pictures show the building as it was in 1895 – as the Rising Sun Inn, and the pagoda like replacement that must have shocked people when it first appeared, but which now makes a perfect setting for the Chinese Kitchen.
The competition will be to find as many past and present shops as you can and say what they once were and are now.
This horse show is an annual event and takes place on Rye Farm Meadow, next to the River Thames.
The Abingdon Horse Show was started in 1974 by local clubs but as people have got older responsibility has transferred to the Berkshire Downs Riding Club who have been in full charge for 4 years.
They now run a large and varied event with six different arenas. Three arenas are for show jumping at different levels.
The other arenas are for ridden showing or leading by hand showing.
It was a hot day and those not taking part could laze in the sun.
The Gift Centre are to move from No 25 Bury Street to No 29 Bury Street, that is between Samuels and Dorothy Perkins.
Currently their picture framing workshop is off site, but at no 29 they will have room upstairs for both picture display and framing.
Their old unit at No 25 will be knocked through to create a larger unit for a national chain.
Who is your money on?