Monthly Archives: May 2015

Artweek in Abingdon begins today

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Oxfordshire Mind Art Group
Thanks to Jane for reminding me that The Oxfordshire Mind art group, based in the Abingdon Mind centre, are hosting another exhibition of their work as part of Art Weeks.
Oxfordshire Mind Art Group
The exhibition takes artists such as Pollock, Rothko, Munch and Van Gogh as a jumping off point to produce new work. ‘New Responses to Old Masters’ is part of Artweeks in Abingdon.
Oxfordshire Mind Art Group
Some of the Rothko inspired works are shown above.
Peachcroft Barn Art
Meanwhile at Peachcroft Farm a recently refurbished barn is being used by a group of local artists.
Peachcroft Barn Art
The old threshing barn makes a lovely setting, with lots of space, to stand back and admire both the barn and the art.

As always artweeks is full of suprises.

Museums at Night 2015 – Abingdon Museum

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Museums at Night
Last night, Abingdon County Hall Museum opened its doors from 5pm-9pm for an evening of free entertainment for all.

Performers included:

  • Oxford Horns,
  • Opera Anywhere
  • Ian Miles and The Mulberry Band

Museums at Night
+ Raw Diva, a talented all female dance group from Oxford.
Museums at Night
Raw Diva were raising money for Blue Skye Thinking, a local charity which supports research so that all children diagnosed with brain tumours will have a better chance of survival. It is also one of the charities of Helen Pighills, the new Abingdon Mayor. The other is the Breakaway Club.
Museums at Night
The museum opening was an opportunity to experience the museum in a new light
Museums at Night
and to watch the setting sun from the museum roof.

Mayor Making – Changing of the Guard

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Changing of the Guard
There was a changing of the Guard at the Guildhall this evening. Malcolm Hill carried the Mace into the Mayor Making Ceremony for the final time this evening – having held the Office of Honorary Macebearer since 2003.
Changing of the Guard
Nigel Luker became the new Honorary Macebearer and carried the Mace out of the Ceremony.
Changing of the Guard
Malcolm is seen here after the ceremony. He was presented with a certificate by the outgoing Mayor, Angela Lawrence.

Angela gave Mayor’s awards to the chair of governors of the three state secondary schools in Abingdon:
Lynn Fathers – Fitzharrys
Paul Brooks – John Mason
David Lever – Larkmead

Angela commented that the position of school governor is a far more demanding role these days. Governors are held to account for how their school is performing, and need to come to grips with all kinds of data.

Mayor’s Awards were also given to:
Wendy Barratt – Abingdon Breakaway Club,
Dr Tony Gillman – Abingdon, Didcot, and Wantage Talking Newspaper (DAWN)
Changing of the Guard
The incoming Mayor is Helen Pighills,
Changing of the Guard
and her deputy is Alice Badcock.

The new town council also had quite a few different faces.

Fountain replaced by Flower Container at Roysse Court

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Fountain
The fountain at Roysse Court, created by the Cowley Concrete Company, has been removed.

Abingdonians have told me they remember bridge sections, and large concrete pipes being taken away on lorries from the Cowley Concrete Company – a one time Abingdon industry.
Flower Container
It has been replaced by a flower container from Marcham Road.

The green central reservation on Marcham Road is now considered too dangerous to be regularly watered by town council staff.