Monthly Archives: May 2019

Next week is Dementia Action Week in Abingdon – 20 – 26 May 2019

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Dementia Action Week
The programme of events was being displayed on the library community information board. Events are co-ordinated by Dementia Friendly Abingdon – a group, linked to Healthy Abingdon, which aims to make the town more supportive of people with dementia and their carers.

Monday 20 May
Information Day in the Roysse Room, Guildhall 10.00am – 4.00pm
A one stop shop for advice, support and information on activities available to those living in and around Abingdon with dementia and mild cognitive impairment and their carers. Those represented will include the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Oxfordshire, Kennington Memory Club, Young Dementia UK, Fiddle Fingers Quilts, Carers Oxfordshire and care homes.

Tuesday 21 May
Dementia Friends Information Sessions, 35 Ock Street (by Baptist Church), 10.30am and 12noon. A fun, interactive one-hour session to learn a little bit about what it’s like to live with dementia – and then turn that understanding into action; from telling friends about Dementia Friends to visiting someone you know living with dementia. Register to attend at www.dementiafriends.org.uk – find our Abingdon sessions and sign up. Or email dementiafriendlyabingdon@gmail.com

Dementia Action Week
Wednesday 22 May
Dementia Friendly Film Showing, Abbey Cinema, doors open 10.00am for 11.00am showing of The Wizard of Oz. For details see www.theabbey.ac. This will be first of many dementia-friendly screenings which the cinema hope to arrange monthly. The Abbey Cinema follows the Alzheimer Society’s guidelines for dementia-friendly screenings, which encourages the thoughtful choice of film, staff training, clear signage, careful attention to lighting and sound levels and most importantly, listening to people with dementia.

Thursday 23 May
10.30am Dementia friendly walk around Abbey Park. Meet in the Market Square
Dementia Action Week
2.00pm Abingdon Library
Human Story Theatre perform Connie’s Colander. Running time 50min, followed by a 20 min post show Q&A with a dementia specialist.

Friday 24 May
Awareness Day in the Market Place, 10.30am – 2.00pm
Information stands, Music, Singing for the Brain at 11.30am and again at 12.30pm. If it’s wet they will be in St Nicolas Church!

Abingdon Mayor Making 2019

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Abingdon Mayor Making
Councillor Margaret Crick  handed over the chain of office this evening to Councillor Charlie Birks, who became the new Mayor of Abingdon.  The previous deputy Mayor David Pope, who Margaret described as a tower of strength, failed to get re-elected when all the Conservatives lost their seats. So with 11 new councillors, the new town council had a dilemma who should be the next mayor. Charlie has lived in Abingdon since 1974 and seems very personable. So good luck to him.
Abingdon Mayor Making
The new Deputy Mayor is Abingdon’s first Green Party Councillor Cheryl Briggs.

The outgoing Mayor had a lot of praise for the Conservative Councillors who lost their seats. She thanked Mike Badcock for many years of work for the town, and his support for her in her year as Mayor. Another special mention was for Dennis Garrett after all the long hours he put in on the Guldhall project. All of them got mentioned by name.

Councillor Margaret Crick gave outgoing Mayors awards to:
* Penny Clover  for her contribution to life in the town including work on Abingdon Carousel and the Guild of Town Criers
* Helen Flynn for her work with the AbiBinit! initiative
* Sue Hammersley for many years of volunteer work including the opening of the Blue Sky Eco Cafe.

Margaret also gave cheques to her two charities: Abingdon Carousel, and Be Free Young Carers
Abingdon Mayor Making
Councillor Charlie Birks said the new Mayor’s charity is The Abingdon Bridge which supports young people in the town. Revd Charles Miller would be Mayor’s Chaplain. The civic service will be announced. He also announced that Fun and Music in the Park would be on Saturday 1st June, and there would be Abingdon-on-Thames pride celebrations on Saturday 22nd June.

Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers danced before the ceremony. Revd Paul Smith, the outgoing Mayor’s Chaplain, said the opening and closing prayers. Abingdon Town Band played music, including the National Anthem. Councillors then left the stage and people shook hands with the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor and were invited for a drink in the Roysse Room.

Sailing, Jazz and Dancing in Abingdon

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Sunday Sailing Jazz and Dancing
The Abbey Sailing Club invited people to join them sailing on the river in Abingdon.
Sunday Sailing Jazz and Dancing
Today was dedicated to new people having a go. More about the Sailing Club can be found at https://abbeysailingclub.btck.co.uk/
Sunday Sailing Jazz and Dancing
Jazz has continued over the weekend both at the Abingdon Jazz Festival and the events at the Roysse Room.
Sunday Sailing Jazz and Dancing
Bands played on the Market Place this Sunday afternoon in the sunshine as a finale.
Sunday Sailing Jazz and Dancing
The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were also in town dancing at the Kngs Head and Bell. They will be back tomorrow for the Mayor Making at the Guildhall.

Christian Aid Week 2019

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Christian Aid Week 2019
Christian Aid Week is from 12th – 18th May, and this morning on Abingdon Market Place there was a Christian Aid stall.
Christian Aid Week 2019
They were selling plants, bric-a-brac and books, and had a petition. I believe Christian Aid is one of the last charities to continue – the once common – door to door charity collections. It is a brave thing to do and is for a good cause.
Christian Aid Week 2019
This year’s appeal is to save the life of mums. Christian Aid are looking to build better health centres in Sierra Leone, where mums can deliver their babies safely. The petition asked our Chancellor to push the IMF to drop Sierra Leone’s debt. The country lacks funds for proper health clinics, health training and enough ambulances. This makes it the most dangerous place in the world to become a mum.