The town is beginning to emerge from the New Year hibernation and there are a few events being advertised on notice boards in Abingdon next week, and even more coming in the following week, which I will return to.
Thursday 15 January – 7.00pm
Conversations with Martin Wackernier
Venue: Garden Room, St Ethelwold’s House
The third in a series of conversations hosted by Duncan Brown. This free evening features Martin Wackernier, a Belgian rock guitarist turned photographer, whose work has taken him around Abingdon and beyond. Martin will reflect on his journey and creative life. Cost: Free. Places are limited. You can try reserving a seat by calling the number but it may be too late. Donations welcome.
The Snow Queen – by Ron Nicol (based on Hans Christian Andersen)
Dates & Times: (see poster)
Venue: Unicorn Theatre, Checker Walk, Abingdon OX14 3JB
Abingdon Drama Club presents a stage adaptation of the classic fairy tale. Cost: £15 (£12 concessions). Tickets are available from The Bookstore, 15 Bury Street, or online via the Abingdon Drama Club website.
Thursday 22 January – 7.30pm
Getting Abingdon Moving: Cycling & Walking Route Improvements
Venue: Abingdon Baptist Church
A talk on proposed cycling and walking improvements in and around Abingdon over the next five years. The speaker is Robin Tucker, Abingdon co-chair of COHSAT and the Coalition for Healthy Streets & Active Travel in Oxfordshire. Hosted by Abingdon Carbon Cutters, Abingdon Liveable Streets, and One Planet Abingdon. Cost: Free. All welcome. Limited parking; disabled parking only.
Friday 23 January (Doors open 6.30pm; quiz starts 7.00pm)
Mayor’s Quiz Night
Venue: The Crown and Thistle, Abingdon
A fundraising quiz hosted by the Mayor of Abingdon in support of The Mayor’s Charities. Cost: £8 per person (maximum of 8 per team).
This is also the night of the annual Church in Abingdon quiz at Abingdon Baptist Church, where each church may enter one team, and two teams if there is room.
Saturday 24 January – 6 pm arrival
Abbey Lodge Burns’ Night
Venue: Hilton Garden Inn, Abingdon
An evening celebrating the life and work of Robert Burns, featuring traditional piping, recitals of Burns’ poetry, and live music from a blues band. Proceeds will be donated to Against Breast Cancer. Cost £38 per person
Here is the final verse of To a Louse by Robert Burns …
O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
It wad frae mony a blunder free us,
An’ foolish notion…
(Would some power give us the gift
to see ourselves as others see us.
It would free us from many mistakes
and foolish ideas.)