There are a number of new informations boards on display this weekend. They are an additional part of the Abingdon Heritage Trail. But since the real boards were not ready for Heritage Weekend there were mock-ups at the five locations close to St Helen’s Church.
Roger Cox, the Mayor of Ock Street, or Mock Mayor of Abingdon, cut the ribbon, in a ‘mock opening’.
The real Mayor of Abingdon went round to a lot of the properties thanking people for taking part in Heritage Weekend – which is primarily a chance to look behind doors that are not normally open and find out about the town’s history. The picture shows her at 60 East St Helen Street – once Tompkins Malt House.
The Vale Islanders and Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers performed beneath the County Hall as there was a light rain at the start of the day.
The day included hourly boat rides where the town archivist told the history of Abingdon from the river.
At Our Lady’s Abingdon there was a food festival as well as the chapel being open for Ride and Stride, and Heritage Weekend – a large number of properties were open but this was the first time Our Lady’s had taken part.
Royalists came to protect the town against an invasion of parliamentarians. They trained up some young recruits in the use of pikes.
Even more Royalists will be here today (Sunday). They would be glad if you can support them at noon on the Market Place as they have not been publicised. They are seen visiting the Kings Head and Bell in this picture. They went on to see Barton Court and Culham Bridge – places with civil war significance.
Fantastic day as always – great work Backstreeter – lovely to see the town so busy too
well said Iain. I particulalry enjoyed the heritage boat trip, in spite of it being a little cool! W got to see bits of the river and bridge construction that one can’t usually see, all clearly explained by archivist Jackie Smith.
The Vale Islanders gave a great concert in the Kins Head & Bell
On Sunday Jane Bowen (museum curator) did very informative tours of the old parts of the Guildhall. Even though I had been in all the rooms before, I learnt something new.
Several people on the tour hadn’t been in the council chamber before even though Full Council meetings are open to the public!