Here is the riverside view towards St Helen’s Church taken from Wilsham Road.
Here is a similar view from an Andrew Warland postcard.
The factory chimney has gone, and there are more trees now, but there are the same historic buildings: church, almshouses, bridge, Anchor Inn, malthouse.
The riverside view of Abingdon coming upstream shows one of the most ancient, picturesque, and interesting towns on the River Thames – then and now.
Delicious Abi, the patisserie on West St Helen Street, closed in March, and the shop front has changed to Abingdon Thai Massage. They will give head, foot, back and oil massage.
I did look up Thai Massage on Wikipedia and read ‘Traditional Thai massage uses no oils or lotions.’ That just shows that Wikipedia does not always get things right.
Wikipedia also says the founder of Thai massage and medicine is said to have been Shivago Komarpaj the Buddha’s physician over 2,500 years ago.
UK Active have awards for sports centres and people who make a healthier and more physically active nation. For UK Active awards 2019 an Abingdon sports centre and person are in the running for their awards.
The White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre is a finalist for two categories: Inclusion & Disability Award, and Southern UK Regional Club / Centre.
Viv Boorman (pictured here); is a finalist for Physical Activity Champion.
Viv began Abingdon Health Walks in 2003 after retiring from teaching. She recruited other people to help lead walks, beginning small with no funding. She started walks at The White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre with people mostly between 60 and 80 years old. What started with a small group has grown and grown.
You can read more on the UK Active awards 2019 site, and Vote for Viv.
St Georges Day 2019 was remembered by Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers with a pub tour. These pictures were taken in the courtyard of the Kings Head and Bell.
The dancers serenaded the Mayor of Abingdon in one dance.
Their own Squire, The Mayor of Ock Street, can be seen here with the sword and cup and Horns of Ock Street.
The Church of England have delayed their celebration of St George as we are so close to Easter, but that did not apply to Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers who made sure it was remembered on April 23rd.