Abingdon Inner Wheel Gives Wheeled Toys to South Abingdon Children’s Centre

The first Inner Wheel club was formed in 1924 in Manchester by a group of Rotary Club wives. From small beginnings Inner Wheel has grown into one of the largest voluntary women’s organisations in the world.
Abingdon Inner Wheel
To celebrate their 90th anniversary the Abingdon Club used the money they raised at their ‘Biscuit, Sweet and Raffle’ stall at the Christmas Extravaganza, and donated wheeled, and other, toys to the South Abingdon Children’s Centre.

The Centre offers activities, courses, guidance and support to families and carers with children under five, in South Abingdon and the surrounding area and was recently threatened with closure by Oxfordshire County Council.
Abingdon Inner Wheel
Abingdon Inner Wheel President Lynn Stone said a few words and made the presentation. She was thanked by Councillor Sandy Lovatt, leader of the Town Council, and also a County Councillor who voted against the closure of the centre.

(Thanks for the report and picture of the presentation from Gladys.)

Abingdon Drama Club at 70

Abingdon Drama Club will be celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. There will be special celebratory events and an exhibition, as well the usual three annual theatrical productions.
Abingdon Drama Club
Their next production is Dangerous Corner by J. B. Priestley at the Unicorn Theatre (Wednesday 26th March – Saturday 29th March).

“Have you ever wished you hadn’t said something and as you watch the results of your careless words, wish you could turn back time?” This play does just that.

Some of the cast, and the director, are seen here at the Guildhall a few days ago.

Rowing – An Abingdon Tradition

Thanks to Michael for this preview
Rowing
April 6th sees the Abingdon Head of the River 2000m rowing race upstream on the River Thames. 400 competitors from across the UK visit Abingdon for this annual event on the river. All boats sizes and all classes race in four divisions through the day starting at 9:30 – 16:00.
Rowing
He says “Come and watch the racing and entertainment along the river bank, ample parking and hot and cold local refreshments available all day (Rye Meadow, by Abingdon town bridge). We have fantastic BBQ serving local organic meat, with fresh bread rolls that get delivered to the field that morning. We also serve teas, coffees and cakes all day long, and after 11am we have beer on sale supplied from the local Loose Cannon Brewery.

For more details see www.abingdonrc.org.uk.
Rowing
Abingdon has a great tradition in river sport. 100 years ago you might have gone down to the river to watch the Abingdon Skiff Regatta in July, or the Abingdon School Regatta in June. You can find more of what was happening 100 years ago on the Abingdon Heritage Twitter Feed.

Proposal for New Abingdon-on-Thames Parish Boundaries

New Abingdon Parish Boundaries
The new District Council boundaries for The Vale of White Horse District Council were recently decided. Instead of 7 wards Abingdon will now have 5 and each ward will get two district councillors from the 2015 elections.

There are currently 21 town councillors and they need to be divided among those 5 wards and their future is still to be decided.

The proposal put out for consultation is:

To rename Fitzharris North parish ward as Fitzharris Wildmoor
To rename Fitzharris South parish ward as Fitzharris Ock
To reduce the number of councillors for Abingdon-on-Thames town council
from 21 to 19 and to allocate them by parish ward as follows:
Abbey 2
Caldecott 4
Dunmore 4
Fitzharris Ock 2
Fitzharris Wildmoor 1
Northcourt 2
Peachcroft 4

If you do have any comments on the proposal send replies on or before 31 May 2014 by email to cgr@southandvale.gov.uk

or write to the Vale of White Horse District Council at:
CGR
Vale of White Horse District Council
Legal and Democratic Services
Benson Lane
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford
OX10 8ED