Ten years ago, Mike Badcock gave me a Mayor’s award for writing the Abingdon Blog. Alice Badcock gave an award to Abingdon Monday Club, represented by Helen Ronaldson and Peter Knight, mentioned on the blog a couple of days ago. One person who has not got an award yet is Ray, who puts in so much work, unpaid, keeping Preston Road Community Centre going as well as the food bank. He asked whether I could publicise the Vineyard Church Christmas Cafe, and I am very happy to help – if it does help.

Ray also helps out with other volunteers, unpaid, at Preston Road bingo every Tuesday. It opens at 7 pm, eyes down at 8 pm and ends after the jackpot game at about 10 pm. For over twenty years, bingo profits have helped subsidise other community activities at the centre. Numbers have not returned to pre covid levels. And now it is an evening out for people but hardly makes a profit. So more people would be made very welcome.