People demonstrated Iron Age crafts in the grounds of the Abbey Buildings. A Blacksmith used bellows to heat the coals in which a sickle was stuck to make it red hot so that he could bang it into shape.
A lady had produced dyes by grinding rocks gathered near the coast, which she then used to paint shields for warriors.
There were also various armed iron age warriors and a Roman soldier, iron age food, iron age games and more.
Another highlight was the exhibition in the Roysse Room. It was only just lunchtime when I went in and they had already welcomed over 300 visitors.
Dawn talking Newspapers had a demo of a recording. They are usually based at the Health and Well Being Centre. They connect people who have visual impairments with the local news by recording and distributing it on flash drives. (Heritage theme 2024: Routes-Networks-Connections).
The exhibition comprised large old maps which people always enjoy and old photos of roads in Abingdon and how they have changed; a history of footpaths; some waterways; and some aeroplane pictures from RAF Abingdon. The bomb like object is a fuel tank which an aircraft dropped. After WWII there were lots of these ‘Drop Tanks’ in the fields around Abingdon.
Outside the weather was bright and sunny. Artists were drawing and painting around the town and by the river for a quick impromptu exhibition in St Nicolas Church.
There was a exhibition about waterways in the Long Alley Almshouses hall, and a chance to admire the touched-up windows.
The Abingdon Branch Railway model was popular, and lots of MG Cars could be seen in the siding.
Inside the MG Car Club there was an exhibition of MG and MGCC memorabilia.
This is a limited edition brick (No 244 of 500) from the MG Car Plant building in Abingdon-on-Thames.
These pictures make up just a small sample of what was an excellent Heritage Saturday. Well done to all the organisers and volunteers. The Heritage weekend continues on Sunday, when there will be, among other things, MG Cars on the Market Place from 10 am to 2 pm.
