We’ve been enjoying the sun
for two days on the run.
The clouds in this picture seem to grow on branches like the blossom on the nearest tree.
The boardwalk near Abingdon Lock is no longer underwater. The earth beside the river has a marshy smell of decay after the floods go.
The NSPCC stall on the Abingdon Market Place on Saturday was fundraising to help the NSPCC provide crucial services like the Childline helpline, support programs, and educational resources.
But they weren’t just there for money. Being at the market helped them remind people of their aim to keep children safe. The NSPCC has a 10-minute digital training called ‘Listen Up, Speak Up’ giving advise what to do if you’re ever worried about a child or their family.
Abrail 2024 is the 50th anniversary exhibition of the Abingdon and District Model Railway Club (ADMRC). It takes place over two days, on Saturday, March 2nd and Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, at Abingdon and Witney College in Abingdon.
There were two layouts of the Abingdon Branch in the sports hall, one at O Gauge
and one at OO gauge.
The Chair of ADMRC, Bill Marnan, showed round the Mayor of Abingdon, Councellor Gwyneth Lewis. She remembered going on the Abingdon Branch line to school in Oxford.
Over 40 model railway layouts were on display, showcasing various scales, styles and places, most real, some fictitious. They were sited in the main college building on two floors, the Advanced Skills Centre, and the Sports Hall. On the second floor were some fun layouts, more for young families, including Lego City, Abingdon.
Railways were important in World War Two, and the Overlord layout depicted the railways at the dockyards in the days surrounding the invasion of Normandy. It has been under construction for thirty years.
The event was very popular and there was a wait to get to look at some of the layouts in the main building. There wasn’t even elbow room at Elbow Lane!!!
There were traders selling model railway products. The event also included talks, and demonstrations.
The Abingdon and District Model Railway Club website has more information.
It was St. David’s Day! The daffodils above are near the bowling club in Albert Park. The picture was taken during a hail shower.
These daffodils are on Nags Head Island. There was rain, and later some sunshine.
Today was the funeral service for Paul Devine, the husband of Alex. Together they led the Salvation Army in Abingdon. The service was streamed online because some people could not get there. People wore orange. The wreath was orange as Paul was from Dundee and was a Dundee United supporter.
Both the main hall and front hall were packed, and over 70 watched the streamed service.
Instead of flowers, donations were to ADAPT, a charity close to Paul’s heart. They help people rebuild their lives after addiction. You can learn more about ADAPT at: https://adaptoxford.org.uk/.
Alex said, during the service, that Paul searched in his life and only is his relationship with Jesus did he feel whole. Paul loved the scripture, ‘You are the light of the world, a town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither will people light a lamp and cover it. Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light.‘ Alex had received lots of messages about how Paul had helped people not just working at ADAPT but all different people. She mentioned how important it was people supported Paul in his life, but what was important for Paul was that God got the glory for what he did through Paul’s life.’
The next speaker said at the committal, ‘Paul was not perfect. He was not a saint, but he was forgiven, and a child of God.’