Summer building work at ‘The Abbey’

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Summer building work
The Abbey Baptist Chapel down Checker Walk has been closed over the summer undergoing building work.
Summer building work
The entrance area used to look quite different. It is being remodeled, while inside more space has been created for a bigger balcony, as well as better toilet facilities down below.

The Abbey Baptists have been meeting in the Roysse Room at the Guildhall over the summer but should soon be back in their own building, even though there is some external work to do.
Summer building work
The Abingdon Anglo-German Club also normally use the Abbey Baptist building and will soon return.

Founded in 1982, the club’s aim is to stimulate interest in Anglo-German cultural and social pursuits. Their first talk of the season entitled Beethoven’s Piano Music: the sublime, the Comic, the Transcendental and the merely Human will be at the Salvation Army Citadel.

The Abingdon Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show

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Thanks to Ian for the report and Ian and Peter who both sent pictures of the event
Abingdon Horticultural Society's Autumn Show
The Abingdon Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show was held at Northcourt Centre on Saturday 7 September. This year has seen a strange combination of seasons, starting with the long cold and wet Spring, followed by a warm and very dry Summer. Gardeners have had a real challenge on their hands to produce good quality flowers and vegetables; but this had not deterred them! The superb range of garden and allotment products was complimented by first class domestic entries. Cakes, bread, jams and lemon curd were of a very high standard. There were also attractive knitted, embroidered, sown and painted craft entries.
Abingdon Horticultural Society's Autumn Show
The judges were very complimentary about the quality of the wines in comparison with the general standard of home made wines they have experienced.
Abingdon Horticultural Society's Autumn Show
Ian says “If you like what you are reading, why not join us? We have regular talks by gardening experts and visits to gardens of interest. You do not have to be a gardening expert!”
Abingdon Horticultural Society's Autumn Show
Do come along and help to make the club successful. Teas and refreshments are usually available, and you will be assured of a warm welcome. It only costs £7 a year single or £10 a year for family membership. Talk to a committee member, contact our minutes secretary angela.hughes8@talktalk.net, or call Ian on 01235-203873.

More information is on their web site.

Dragon Boats 2013

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Dragon Boats 2013
Thanks to Peter for sending me this picture of one of the more colourful teams at today’s Dragon Boats racing.

Dragon Boats 2013
Not everybody gets the paddling quite right on their first run but over time the technique improves and times get better. There were 16 teams this year at the annual Dragon Boat races, and the fastest 4 after the heats went through to the final.
Dragon Boats 2013
The event is run by Abingdon Rotary Vesper. The money they raise helps finance some of their projects, such as Shelter Box – used to bring essential life saving support.

Individual teams also raise money for their own good causes. Kemp and Kemp, who are currently redeveloping 1-3 Ock Street, had a team, and were raising money for The Abingdon Bridge Youth Charity.
Dragon Boats 2013
The Mayor presented the prizes to the winners later in the day, but I got a picture of the Deputy Mayor, there around lunchtime. She had a cork umbrella which was needed as there were showers. There was also a stall selling tea shirts made from bamboo. Neither the cork umbrella or bamboo tea shirts felt at all wooden after clever processing.
Dragon Boats 2013
Dragon Boat racing moved from May to September last year because the River Thames was too high in May. It takes them at least 6 months to apply for things such as licenses so there was not time to plan for May this year either. So it could be always September now.

Coffee, Cadets, Clarinets and The Town Crier

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Most of the people were drinking coffee at tables round Abingdon’s Market Place this morning.
The Town with Tomorrow
OCVA were recruiting volunteers for a variety of ventures. The Sea Cadets were also looking for enthusiastic helpers.
The Town with Tomorrow
The large clarinet section of Abingdon Concert Band were playing and the Town Crier was there to promote them and other town events on behalf of the Mayor. Just a normal Saturday morning on the Market Place in Abingdon-on-Thames.
The Town with Tomorrow
Town Criers are getting better and better at projecting their voices from the County Hall Roof – something I don’t remember happening before the refurbishment and reopening last year. It always get a cheer.