Long Distance Bible Reading in Abingdon

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I see in the Abingdon Herald, and now on BBC Local, that as part of Christ Church’s 50th anniversary celebrations the bible is being read aloud in 4 days. Many people are taking part including our Mayor, MP and Bishop, and lots of people who go to Christ Church.
Long Distance Bible Reading
This feat has been attempted before in Abingdon. That was back in September 2003, at Trinity Church.

On that occasion one young lad attempted to read through the bible in 24 hours.

It quickly became apparent that 24 hours would never be long enough. The going got tough as he entered the books of I and II Chronicles – where there were long lists of people begetting other people with no other narrative.

At that point the audience of young friends started drifting away, and the young reader jumped forward a few pages to something more interesting. He then started taking requests. The highlight turned out to be the Song of Songs with piano accompaniment.

I look forward to going down to Christ Church to listen for a bit. I’m sure there will be no skipping any difficult passages there – and 4 days sounds more possible.

A young tree needs protection – part 5

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Only somebody who has been following this Abingdon Blog for a very long time might remember Parts 1 – 4.

In 2006 I started to photograph 3 young trees on my regular dog walks to watch their progress
from winter 2006
through Spring 2006
through Summer 2006
and back to winter of the same year.

It is time for an update…
A young tree needs protection
Tree 1 is flourishing on the Ock Valley Walk and can be seen in the centre of this picture. Its tree guard has been redeployed to another younger tree.

The second tree looks to be doing OK …

but from another angle can be seen that its mate is developing into one of those interesting – not quite upright – trees.
A young tree needs protection
The final tree from Part 1 – 4 did not survive but has been replaced by another tree, with much better protection.

Farewell Sisters of Mercy

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The Sisters of Mercy first came to Abingdon in 1860. There was a great need at the time to educate the children of Catholic familes, and also – as it turned out – to provide education for the children of the poor – irrespective of religion.

You can see memorials to individual sisters in St. Edmunds Churchyard.

There is also a living legacy in St Edmunds Primary School, and Our Lady’s School, and the many thousands of people who have the Sisters to thank for their education.
Sister of Mercy
These pictures were taken last Friday, and show the last two Sisters taking their leave of Abingdon.

Father Jamie, the Parish Priest at Our Lady and St. Edmunds, Abingdon, was there to thank them for their work here among us – A GREAT WORK. I wrote more about their history back in abingdon2006.blogspot.com .

South Abingdon Residents Plan Event

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SARP
This evening there was a meeting of the South Abingdon Residents Plan group – chaired by the Neil Boston, and attended by residents and councillors from South Abingdon.
SARP
On Saturday, at Reynolds Way shops, there will be a playbus, mobile skate park, free refreshments, information from local groups, and the start of the Planning for Real model for the area. The map based Planning for Real model has been used in other places to capture the aspirations of villages or part of towns – to find out what people want for their area and from that produce a plan for where they live.
SARP

As with all things it will only work if people get involved.