Monthly Archives: June 2012

Open Garden for Friends of Radley Lakes

Friends of Radley Lakes Open Gardens

Friends of Radley Lakes Open Gardens

Friends of Radley Lakes Open Gardens

On Sunday Barry and Beryl Stayte opened their lovely garden to raise funds for Friends of Radley Lakes. This garden is particularly special as it won two awards in the 2011 Abingdon in Bloom event – the Best Back Garden and the Best Wildlife Garden.

A good time was had by all as the sun shone all afternoon, the homemade cakes were delicious and the garden looked stunning.

Thanks to Marjorie White for this report … The pond dipping picture is by Lynda Pasquire and the other two by Maggie Harnew.

There will be another three open gardens this weekend on Saturday 30 June 2012 in East St. Helen’s Street.  £5 will cover the entrance to all the gardens. Part of Abingdon Museum Friends fundraising.

Last plot of land

Last vacant plot
The statue of Queen Victoria erected in Abingdon in 1887 to mark the Golden Jubilee was moved to the Abbey Gardens in the 1940s. The statue started life in the centre of a lot of buildings, and now has a more leafy outlook.
Last vacant plot
But in 2012 there are new buildings in front of her on the other side of the fence.
Last vacant plot
This must be the last plot of land in the town centre to be built upon. It is to be a large home that will care for the elderly.

Abingdon Artists Exhibition – Open

Abingdon Artists Exhibition - Open
The Abingdon Artists usually stage two exhibitions a year, and their summer exhibition runs from 23 Jun- 30 Jun (10:00 – 17:00) at St Helen’s Church.
Abingdon Artists Exhibition -  Open
St Helen’s Church is well known for being as wide as it is long. Since the redevelopment a few years ago that extra width in the Outer South Aisle can be used – flexibly – either for adding chairs for services or concerts, or for refreshments, exhibitions, charity sales, or lectures.
Abingdon Artists Open
The art exhibition takes place in that south aisle, and is open all week.
Abingdon Artists Open
This is also a good chance to look round the rest of the church building whether you are new to St Helen’s or not . The painted ceiling – from around 1390 – of the chapel off the North Aisle must be seen.

Abingdons Got Talent 2012

Abingdons got talent 2012 provided a fun filled hour and a half at lunchtime on the Market Place.
Abingdons Got Talent 2012
Most acts sang.
Abingdons Got Talent 2012
There were also a couple of dance acts and a magician.
Abingdons Got Talent 2012
Callam won the under 18s section singing “Proud Mary.”
Abingdons Got Talent 2012
We were lucky to get Geraldine Pierce from BBC South among the judges. This is her fifth year taking part.
Abingdons Got Talent 2012
Other judges were Eileen Bagshaw, Steve Rich (who gets more like Simon Cowell every year with his remarks) , and the Mayor Councillor Monica Lovatt.
Abingdons Got Talent 2012
In the over 18s section Pam Aird won singing “Someone like you” . That was the one time it rained
Abingdons Got Talent 2012
Normally Pam sings with sister Jackie. But this year Jackie is recovering from illness and was unable to perform, and so Pam sang solo.

Jackie was invited on stage to share the applause.

I have put up a short video that shows an extract of both Callam’s and Pam’s encores for anybody that missed it all.