There often seem to be concerts on a Sunday afternoon in St Helens Church, and this week the Twins Towns Society welcomed over the GYNAIKA Girls Choir from Sint-Niklaas. There are more pictures of the visit on the Twin Towns website, including a video of a Flash Mob event that the choir took part in.
I need to design the Heritage Open Day leaflet in the next week or so in order to get it printed and out for distribution by the end of July and have started gathering pictures in a folder.
The Wilts and Berks Canal trust are taking part this year as it is their 200th anniversary, and Salters could well have a boat for people to ride. There will also be lots of buildings open for free. There will be a family competition involving finding things in shop windows, a guided Victorian walk, various old vehicles on display, Morris Dancers and other traditional dancers. It all happens on September 11th
Can anybody out there think of a good title for this year’s leaflet. In previous years there has been…
2003 – Explore Abingdon
2004 – Abingdon Uncovered
2005 – Abingdon On View
2006 – National Heritage Open Day
2007 – Abingdon Unveiled
2008 – Abingdon – Past, Present, Future
2009 – Abingdon revealed
2010 – Abingdon ?????????????
This view on Thames Street could well look familiar because of a picture by Peter Bellingham. The notice says ‘Abingdon Abbey’, and these buildings – the Bakehouse, Checker Hall, Checker and Long Gallery – were once part of the much larger Abbey. They are cared for by the Friends of Abingdon and open until September 30th (except Mondays) between 2pm and 4pm.
Over the road, the area fronting the Abbey Millstream would also have been inside the Abbey. At this time of year there is a display of flowers along the railings as part of Abingdon in Bloom. The Britain in Bloom judges usually come round during July.
Today was Dalton Barracks Open Day. It is a chance for families associated with the barracks and the local community to get together.
There were quite a few different types of ethnic dancing. This group of Bangra dancers invited members of the audience to join in. In this picture I recognise Lorrain Oates (ex Mayor), two army officers, John Flood – Mayor of Didcot, and Elizabeth Drury – local historian. All had a go.
Fom Didcot were members of the bomb disposal team based there at Vauxhall barracks. This gentleman is having ago at controlling one of the bomb disposal robots.
The Chair of the Vale, and Mayor of Abingdon took part in a grog tasting ceremony which included them being given some garlands, and drinking a potion that numbs the lips.
There were lots of displays and stalls, all quite different from what you get at a usual fete or fun-day. Sky divers dropped in flying the flag.
There were also the ceremonial parts, such as the flag raising.
There was a good turnout since England had been knocked out of the World Cup. They would have been playing today. And the weather was fantastic.