Fun in the Parks and Music in the Parks

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Lots of young families turned out for Fun in the Park which ran from 11 – 3 today.

The main feature that struck me, comparing this to previous Fun in The Parks, was all the activities for younger family members … crafts activities, and play tents, and

sports. Not just the Abbey Gardens, but also the carpark had play buses and a fire engine, and then people could go to the riverside park area for more free entertainment. Even the Open Air Pool was free.

A family could spend their time at Fun in the Parks without spending money. Only balloons and food and drinks cost money.

Everybody was cleared out at three from Fun in the Park in order for preparations for Music in the Park which opened at 5:30.
Fun in the Parks
Nearly 3000 people were there – many partying and picnicking in family / friendship groups. The entertainment included the likes of Green Onions (UK Blues Brothers Tribute Band), Bruno Mars (Michael Buble tribute act) and Elkie (covering popular songs from the last four decades).
Fun in the Parks
The Mayor gave a big thank you to the staff, helpers, and volunteers who had worked so hard to make these two events possible. Then Abingdon Town Band performed the Proms,

where the Deputy Mayor sang Rule Britannia,

and at about 10pm Spyrotechnics did a brilliant firework display.

New Shops in Abingdon this week

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Two new shops have opened this week.

Pedro the Cobbler opened up a new shop on Stert Sreet. He mends shoes, and sells a few shoes, cuts keys, and engraves. (Beyond Bubbles, who used to be there will be selling more at craft fairs, local events, and online, but some of her products are still available from Pedro, I believe.)
Two new shops
Meanwhile on East St Helen Street, Belinda Chong opened a new studio selling artwork and jewellery.

Comedy at the Guildhall

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Last Thursday of every month there is “Out of Bounds” Comedy at the Guildhall.

Johanna, who puts on these events, created such a warm ambiance in the Roysse Room with the decor. It was a long way from being the school room that it once was.
Comedy at the Guildhall
Rudi Lickwood, the headline act, was real class. He took us out of bounds with some of his jokes.

Comedy at the Guildhall suggested to him a grand venue. There was a good audience, and it worked well, even if the microphone did fail at one point.

I look forward to the July event when two prominent acts come to Abingdon before starring at the Edinburgh Fringe.

P.S Abingdon Blog will be unavailable from 7pm this evening (31/05/2013). This will last about 6 hours. Host Servers are moving.

1-3 Ock Street – First Visit

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1-3 Ock Street has its own blog – written by Chris Wilshurst of Kemp & Kemp.

In July 2012 he wrote “Who would have thought it. 35 years ago I was involved in the acquisition of an office building in Abingdon, on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council and today that very same building is now owned by my business partner and me.”

1-3 Ock Street
Chris writes about the building “Over the years the building has become institutionalised with fire doors, signage, security doors and systems, anaglypta wall paper, magnolia paint, surface wiring and general neglect. We cannot ignore safety and other regulation but we do want to return the building to its former glory, restoring some of the original features as well as rendering the building ‘fit for purpose’ as a modern office environment.”
1-3 Ock Street
This week Chris shows the stripping away of plastic trunking and some recent discoveries.

This is not just a blog about restoring a fine old building, it is also an exploration of the people who once lived there. We learn about R D’Almaine whose name is on the war memorial in the Square down below.

Children from Rush Common School visited to find out about the history of the old building and some of their pieces are included in the blog.

Visit 1-3 Ock Street Abingdon to find out more.