Armed Forces Open Day

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At the Armed Forces Open Day, there were a lot of stalls and information displays – some from the local community like Waitrose giving away lots of freebies, and some from the army giving the local community an insight into army life.
Army Day
(Thanks to Iain for sending the picture of the smoke above and the one of rifle practise below). He says… ” There was a fantastic demonstration from the 12th Logistic Support Regiment, who have recently returned from active service in Helmund Province, of the sort of tactical maneuvers they are required to deploy in the field. The crowd were clearly impressed, with the close proximity of the smoke canisters adding to the experience, and expressed their appreciation by joining in with a chorus of ‘happy birthday’ for Private … who has just participated in the exercise.
Army Day
My children were particularly excited by the opportunities to practice some of the martial arts, past and present. They loved the archery and the chance to become a sniper and fire a gun with ‘real bullets’.”
Army Day
There were also cuddly animals,
Army Day
amusements like these human hamster balls
Army Day
and the archery Iain mentioned.
Army Day
Thanks to the regiments at Dalton Barracks for another well organised event. Every accident was well planned. Money raised went to army charities.

Abbey Fish Ponds bucks the trend

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Abbey Fish Ponds
On Wednesday, there was the first ‘ordinary’ meeting of the town council since the Mayor Making.

The first real debate was about council nominees to 4 outside community groups that had not been decided at Mayor making. They were…

1. Earth Trust
2. Fair Trade Group
3. Abingdon and District Twin Town Society (ADTTS)
4. Abbey Fish Ponds

For the Earth Trust both Conservatives and Lib-dems put forward a candidate. The vote was 10 to 10 and the Mayor cast his deciding vote for the Conservative nominee – continuing the trend of the mayor Making.

For the Fair Trade Group it was said that the new council’s policy on Fair Trade needed to be decided and there was to be a discussion later on that. So that was postponed.

It was said by the Conservative leader of the council that no town council representative was wanted by the twin towns society ADDTS where the council nominee was sometimes seen as an irritant.

Abbey Fish Ponds
On Abbey Fish Ponds the leader thought no representative was needed, but others argued that that it was useful for a councillor to be involved in the wildlife space run by BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) at the Abbey Fish Ponds – to help mediate with neighbouring houses who sometimes encroach. At the vote 2 Conservatives voted with the Lib-Dems to nominate a councillor to the Abbey Fish Ponds and then a Lib-Dem candidate was elected – bucking the trend.