Monthly Archives: March 2016

Abingdon Passion 2016

Abingdon Passion 2016
Roman Soldiers were there in case of trouble as people went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. Many Jews wanted rid of the Romans, and thought Jesus might lead their campaign to get out of the Roman Empire.
Abingdon Passion 2016
But Jesus did not turn out to be that kind of leader. He entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey,welcoming children.
Abingdon Passion 2016
There was a large cast of singers and people taking part in the performance of the Abingdon Passion. One performance was at 11am. The second followed at 3pm.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Jesus upset the established religious leaders by turning the money changers out of the Temple, saying it was the house of God,and they had turned it into a den of thieves. Those leaders then looked for an opportunity to get rid of Jesus.
Abingdon Passion 2016
During the Passover meal Jesus told Judas to go and do what he had to do. Jesus was arrested later that evening and taken for trial – betrayed by Judas.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Other disciples of Jesus also let him down. Peter broke down after denying even knowing Jesus.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Jesus was brought before the Religious leaders, Pontius Pilate – the Roman Governor, and then before Herod with his harem.Herod soon got bored with Jesus because he would not speak or do any miracles, and so sent him back to Pilot for a final decision.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Jesus was brought out to be flogged.
Abingdon Passion 2016
Then Jesus was crucified.
Abingdon Passion 2016
His mother Mary was there as he died, and held his body for a few moments, before it was taken to a tomb.
Abingdon Passion 2016
The body disappeared, and somebody looking like Jesus appeared at the back of the Market Place.

Hens and Swans on a Balmy Afternoon in Abingdon

Hens and Swans
A gaggle of nuns gathered in Abingdon this afternoon. They were not real nuns but had gathered for a Hen Party, and were enjoying the sun.
Hens and Swans
The River Thames has overflowed onto the Abbey Meadows after some fairly heavy rain last week.
Hens and Swans
Abingdon also welcomed a number of swans on what was a quite balmy afternoon for this time of year.
Hens and Swans
Thanks to my wife for the final shot showing a swan from the other side of a Welcome to Abingdon sign.

Misty start to Saturday

There was a misty start to the day here in Abingdon and so here are a few pictures from my morning walk with camera (but no Harry).
Misty start to Saturday
Plane trees on St Helen’s Wharf fade into the distance.
Misty start to Saturday
A stone lion on a gatepost on the Drayton Road. There is not a lot of traffic at 8:30am.
Misty start to Saturday
One car turns right into the Drayton Road, at the double mini roundabout, while another heads straight to Ock Street.
Misty start to Saturday
Cars are parked tightly together on Edward Street.
Misty start to Saturday
Daffodils in Albert Park with indistinct houses in Park Road behind.
Misty start to Saturday
A colonnade of Plane trees at the bottom of Conduit Road – nothing visible beyond.

Smith’s Chemist Moving and Changing Name

Smiths Chemist Moving
Smith’s Chemist are moving from the High Street.
Smiths Chemist Moving
Smith’s Chemist is probably Abingdon’s oldest town centre shop. There was a Mr William Smith who ran a Chemist in the High Street from at least 1830 (image from Pigot & Co National Directory). He died in 1891 at the age of 86.

In 1894 the shop moved to its current position at 21 High Street, and a A.W. Franklin took over.

There is a Francis Frith picture of the High Street in 1965 where W Smith & CO – Chemist – can be seen at 21-23 High Street. Since then number 21 has become P.B Conway Opticians, and Smiths, at 23, extended into the old Library Reading Room behind, after the library moved to Bury Street.
Smiths Chemist Moving
When the business moves to Stert Street, the name will change to Avicenna pharmacy – a group founded 20 years ago, and the UK’s largest independent pharmacy support group.