Music in the Park

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Abingdon Town Council’s Music in the Park event was on Saturday. 1500 tickets had been sold online before the event, and the sunny afternoon increased the crowd, with people paying at the gates and enjoying some music in the late summer sun.

The event had a wide selection of caterers and a bar. There were inflatables and other activities for children. The early bands were Kaptain Kuppa, Zaia, and Superloose.

At 3 p.m., Hope and Glory performed songs from groups like Madness and the Specials, which got people dancing.

The Zoots kicked off their set at 5:30 pm, performing a selection of fun and upbeat songs from the 1960s.

The crowd was up on their feet, dancing and singing along. The Zoots then went off and came back in 1970’s gear for music from the 1970s.

The headline band, The Wurzels, have been performing since 1966, with a changing cast of musicians. Two of the current members were part of the band when they had their two-week run at the top of the charts with “Combine Harvester” in 1974.

The crowd around the stage included Wurzels fans, some of whom knew the words to every song. Among others, they played their hits: “I Am a Cider Drinker,” “The Combine Harvester,” and “Blackbird.”

I recorded three short snatches for anybody who missed the event and is curious.

Healthy Abingdon

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The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Cllr Gwyneth Lewis, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gabby Barody, visited the annual Abingdon Healthfest today. The event, put on by Healthy Abingdon, featured over 20 stalls offering a range of health and wellbeing services and information.

Abingdon Liveable Streets, a group that campaigns for better walking and cycling infrastructure in Abingdon, had copies of the new Abingdon Active Travel Map.

The map shows all the walking, cycling, and wheeling routes in and around Abingdon. Online copies are at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/shop-eat-drink/active-travel-map-of-abingdon-on-thames

Dance Creative, a registered charity based in Oxfordshire, gave a demo. The charity specialises in working with older communities and people affected by physical and mental health conditions.

One Planet Abingdon had a stall that featured games and recipes that promote healthy, low-impact, local, seasonal, and organic diets and reduce food waste.

Active Communities, a service run by Vale of White Horse District Council, can direct people at a variety of weekly activities for all ages and abilities to help people with their health.

Kennington Memory Club and Dementia-Friendly Abingdon are two organizations that offer support to people living with dementia. Kennington Memory Club is a group that provides a safe and supportive environment for people with dementia to socialise and participate in activities. Dementia-Friendly Abingdon is a community initiative that aims to make Abingdon a more dementia-friendly place. You can book a place on a session to help make Abingdon more dementia friendly at: https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/websession.

Good Health and Music in Abingdon on Saturday

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The Abingdon Healthfest is back this Saturday, September 2nd, from 10 am to 2 pm at Abingdon Market Place. This is a chance to learn about the things happening in our town to improve our health and well-being.

There will be lots of stalls. The Mayor of Abingdon will be opening the event at around 11 am, and you can participate in a taster dance session from Dance Creative at 12:30 pm. See https://healthyabingdon.org.uk/healthfest2023.htm.

Preparations are underway for Music in the Park, a concert in The Abbey Park, Abingdon, on Saturday, September 2nd, from 12 pm to 10 pm.

The Wurzels, a popular Scrumpy and Western band, will be headlining the event. The Wurzels have been performing since 1966 and are best known for their number one hit “Combine Harvester” and number three hit “I Am a Cider Drinker.” They will be supported by local bands, including Hope and Glory, the Zoots, Kaptain Kuppa, Zaia, and Superloose.

Tickets for adults (over 12 years old) cost £20. Children under 12 years old are admitted free. Children and adults under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. See https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/news/tickets-now-available-for-music-in-the-park.

Frank’s 10th Anniversary at Abingdon Lock

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Frank, a beloved volunteer lock keeper at Abingdon Lock, was surprised and delighted with a celebration in his honour on Sunday. Frank has been an official volunteer lock keeper for the past 10 years, and did a couple of years before that unofficially. He is known for his friendly demeanor and willingness to help. He has the bunting from Sunday as a souvenir and some old photos of when he was a morris dancer.

The event was organized by a group of boaters and drew friends from far and wide. There was face painting, food, drink, music, and karaoke. Frank’s old Morris dancing team came to perform and stayed until late.

Frank had a wonderful time and was particularly amused by the face painting, which many people had done to look like him. “It was a lovely happy day,” he said, “put on by some lovely lovely people.”

The event was a testament to Frank’s popularity and the positive impact he has had on the community. He is a true asset to Abingdon and the Lock.

Thanks to the boaters, Karen and Bret, for the pictures on the day.