Open the Pool protest, Chess Tournament, Tractor Wedding etc.

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In previous years, this last weekend in May would have been the day the Open Air Pool opened. Not this year. This year it is only planned to open for six weeks over the school holidays. Three years ago, £1.3m was invested in redeveloping the pool, and it is a big surprise that the pool is not being used more now it is brand new. The Oxford Mail photographer also arrived to get a group picture of the protesters who want it open for longer.

There was a ‘Queens Gambit’ chess tournament in the Roysse Room today organised by Abingdon Passion Play.

The groom arrived on his tractor for a wedding ceremony today, and took his bride away in unusual style.

I made a video featuring all these events and more. It also included people in East St Helen Street putting back the bunting that got knocked down by a lorry last Tuesday. There is even a look inside the Abbey Cinema foyer where Top Gun Maverick is being promoted.

Chinese Brush Painting at 35 Ock Street

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On one railing outside Abingdon Baptist Church, on Ock Street, is a banner to say the Chinese Brush Painting group have been exhibiting at 35 Ock Street. They also had a demonstration today.

The exhibition will be there until about Wednesday.

On the other railing is a banner for the Oxfordshire Drama Network Drama Festival. This involves 2 one-act plays per evening Wednesday-Friday. They are judged by an adjudicator who usually re-directs a short scene. 3 plays from the week are called back by the adjudicator for the Saturday Gala night on 18th June.

18th June is also the day of the election of the Mayor of Ock Street. Due to a family wedding, I will, unfortunately, miss it this year. I would be very grateful if somebody could send a few pictures to backstreet60@gmail.com.

Signs seen in West St. Helen Street

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Letters and parcels intended for East St. Helen Street often end up in West St. Helen Street and Visa Versa. Some letters come addressed to West Street Helen Street and East Street Helen Street. Whoever made the sign for the block of flats near the church has made the same mistake.

A poster at St. Helen’s Church advertises the service to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee on 2nd June. All Welcome. St. Helen’s Church has a thriving regular choir, and they are inviting other singers to join them to sing ‘I was glad’ and ‘Zadoc the Priest’, both from the coronation service. There will be a practice for the regular choir at 6 pm on 1st June, and other singers can join the practice at 6:30 pm.

There is a temporary closure notice for town centre roads, on 5th June 2022, between 16:00 and 19:00 for the Bun Throw to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. People normally gather over an hour before and take time to disperse.

Puntastic Aldi framework erected in circus field

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The framework of the new Aldi store has been erected in the field once known as the Circus Field – so named because it was previously a circus and funfair venue.

The Aldi framework was erected as quickly as a big circus top. But will not be coming down. Aldi has stolen the show and there will be no more circuses or funfairs. They killed them off by going straight for the juggler, and I don’t think we can claim for funfair dismissal. So, there is no point in going there anymore as a trapese artist. They would just let you go. However, in the cheese department, you might get some stilton.