Mayor Making

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Mayor Making
At the annual meeting of the Council (Mayor Making), Cllr Gwyneth Lewis was elected Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames for the civic year 2023-24.

Cllr Gabby Barody was elected as the Deputy Mayor.

The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers danced before the ceremony.
Mayor Making
The outgoing Mayor, Andy Foulsham, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gabby Barody, presented biodiversity awards to schools and community groups.
Mayor Making
There were also Mayor’s awards to:
* ATOM Science Festival
Mayor Making
* John Killick for promoting biodiversity in Abingdon and Oxfordshire
* Hilary Beale for Coordinating and managing Abingdon Food Bank and services to Girlguiding in Abingdon
* Paul Shipman for Services to Scouting in Abingdon
Mayor Making
The new Mayor is Councillor Gwyneth Lewis, elected for the first time just ten days ago. So the new council has chosen someone different than Gabby Barody, nominated by the outgoing council.

Gwyneth Lewis has a Wikipedia page if you want to know more about her role as a doctor and in promoting women’s health worldwide. She was born in Abingdon and went to Dunmore School and was in the first intake at St Nicolas Primary School. More recently, she set up a local residents group in Thames Street and campaigned about the Upper Reaches. Her charities will focus on domestic abuse and refuge. Her chaplain is Deacon Selina Nisbett.
Mayor Making
Deputy Mayor Councillor Gabby Barody is staying as Deputy Mayor for another year.

There is also a new Town Clerk. Nigel Warner retired last year. He was succeeded by somebody who fairly quickly resigned and the new interim Town Clerk is Paula Lopez, who previously worked at Wallingford Town Council.

Another change was that Abingdon Concert Band played instead of Abingdon Town Band.

Big Bear Bingo Prize at Preston Road Community Centre

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A report from Pete.
Bingo
The giant teddy bear caused quite a few chuckles as it perched in its own chair, waiting to see who would win him at bingo.

Thanks go to the Lewis Baker shop in Bridge Street, Abingdon, who kindly donated the teddy bear. This is an opportunity to remind readers to support our local independent shops that serve the community.

Bingo is every Tuesday at Preston Road Community Centre, Midget Close, next to the Midget pub. Doors open at 7:00pm with eyes down at 8:00pm. All are welcome to come & join in the fun. All funds raised go towards supporting the Community Centre.

The lucky winner was Jane.

News from the churches in Abingdon

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New from the churches
On Saturday night, the U.K. hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, the 2022 winners.

In Christ Church Barn, there was a special screening of the song contest for local Ukrainian friends.
New from the churches
Christian Aid week started today. Phil Evans, the regional representative of Christian Aid, was at Abingdon Baptist Church to encourage people to fund raise and challenge injustice in the world.

There will be a Christian Aid stall on Abingdon Market Place Sale on Saturday.

You are unlikely to get a traditional Christian Aid envelope through the door but e-envelopes will be sent out during the week (probably to church members). The Christian Aid website is https://www.christianaid.org.uk/
New from the churches
The Abingdon Passion Play is fund raising for the next production of an Abingdon Passion Play, provisionally planned for June 2024. There will be a ‘come and sing’ of Handel’s Messiah Parts 2 & 3 on Saturday.

Local Green Businesses showcased at Abingdon’s Eco Fair

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ECO Fair
The fair took place on Abingdon Market Place, under the County Hall Museum, and in the Guildhall. The Abingdon Town Crier and the Abingdon Town Fryer announced what was happening.
ECO Fair
The fair offered advice and guidance on a variety of green issues from One Planet Abingdon
ECO Fair
and Abingdon Carbon Cutters.

Oxfordshire County Council offered grants for insulating homes (See https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/retrofit.)
ECO Fair
The event showcased a variety of green businesses. There were those promoting new forms of energy such as electric bikes and batteries; electric cars and charging points; solar panels; LED lighting for street lamps and the home.

There were architects and design experts who could help design energy efficiency into the home, and new materials that could be used in the home.
ECO Fair
There were also various eco-friendly consumables including pet products; vegan food; re-usable sandwich bags; and wash refills.
ECO Fair
A group of sewing machinists worked in the museum basement mending clothes. There were bike checks in the museum undercroft.

There were also talks. One used thermal imaging in different homes to demonstrate examples of good and bad insulation. Insulation needs fitting properly.

Michelle, from One World Abingdon, who helped organise the event, said it gave local green businesses a chance to share what they are doing with the public. (Included in those businesses were Missing Bean on Stert Street, who source their coffee directly from far-flung farms, roast it themselves, and at this event, supported the stallholders with discounted coffees.)