Ten Poems about Abingdon – officially released

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Life-time readers of the Abingdon Blog may remember how I started collecting poems about Abingdon. There was also a request through the Abingdon Herald in January 2022 for poems.

The resulting book is now available in The Bookstore, Mostly Books, Abingdon Museum, and from TAB (The Abingdon Bridge). The Bookstore is giving all proceeds to charity but to help that can only take cash. For anybody who cannot get to any of these shops, email or drop a note to my truenym’s email (see the picture above).

The book is dedicated to Pauline Sykes, who has been running the Abingdon Share-a-poem for a long time. The group meets monthly to share poems, some self-written and others by established authors. Previous books from the group include Wellspring Words in 2007 and WAR and PEACE in 2003.

Andrew Jamison helped with selecting ten from over forty poems submitted to me. Andrew also wrote the foreword. Andrew is a teacher at Abingdon School. His poetry has been published widely in UK and Irish literary journals, and anthologies. His books of poetry include: ‘Stay’ and ‘Happy Hour’ published by The Gallery Press.

Money will go to The Abingdon Bridge, a well-being charity that supports young people aged 13-25. This does suggest the idea for a follow-up book, ‘Ten poems about young Abingdon’.

Lucca – Abingdon’s Twin Town

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We planned a holiday in Tuscany in the spring of 2020. Covid closed down North Italy before anywhere in Europe. So this was a postponed trip.

Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca. His house forms part of the Lucca tourist trail.

I filmed this man, who could play the cello and sing, singing “Nessun Dorma”, an aria from Puccini’s opera Turandot.

It was a lively place with a hubbub outside our window on the Via Roma until midnight.

On Sunday morning, along with many local people, we walked around the ramparts of the old Roman town of Lucca. Some walked, some jogged, others cycled, some singly, a lot on hired four-person pedaloes. There were some great views.

But then, at one point, about 150 Vespa-style motorcycles came by, led by Vespa Club Lucca. They were joined by Vespas from other towns, with a lot of waving and beeping of horns.

We also visited Lucca Cathedral, where some famous artworks can be viewed. There were also visitors on bikes.

There are a lot of churches in Lucca. Abingdon used to have a lot of pubs. Lucca still has a lot of church buildings. This one, near the Catherdral, had an exhibition with trees and roots turned into art.

There is an oval-shaped area based on a Roman Amphitheatre in Lucca. People were eating and drinking all the way around. Lucca does seem to be a fascinating historical and cultural place. We only had a day and a half in Lucca. In hindsight, more time in Lucca and less in Florence.

William Booth visits Abingdon

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The other day I looked through the photo album Lesley Argyle left in the Trinity Church archives and found the picture of William Booth. He founded the Salvation Army and was visiting Abingdon.

I won’t be able to do the blog for a few days. Back about the 14th of June.

4th day of Jubilee Celebrations in Abingdon – ending with a bun throw

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Today began with street parties (Exbourne Road pictured).

There were also after church parties (Abingdon Baptist Church pictured). At church, it was a day to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the Queen and Pentecost (the church’s birthday).

Then at 5 pm in Abingdon, there was a bun throw. Here are pictures with rhymes to capture this event.

Abingdon Bun Throw – 70th Jubilee

The crowd has taken every space.
They overflow the Market Place.

Sons and daughters, dads and mums:
Chant as one: We want buns!

Councillors and civic graces
Look down upon the sea of faces –

St Nic’s church bells start to ring.
Dignatories start to fling.

Currant buns dot the sky,
Speeding up from on high.

One plummets down. You nearly catch it,
Someone taller leaps to snatch it.

A wild bun hits you on the head,
And bounds to someone else instead.
One final bun falls a tumbling.
One last try, no more fumbling:

You’ve got a 70 on that bun.
I have to say, ‘That is well done!’