Small World

Leave a reply

Small World
We are way for the weekend in Ulverstone, Cumbria, and yesterday I went into John C Jackson Antiques. It is a minute walk from the town centre shops, with a prominent position on the corner of Fountain Street. I flicked through some old postcards, and bought two, then got talking to John Jackson, the owner.
Small World
He knew Abingdon from a boating trip on the River Thames. Lovely town he remembered, on the River Thames. He remembered going over the bridge for a drink in one of the town’s pubs then going back late to his hired boat. He was invited into the neighboring boat for more drinks by a very persuasive neighbour. The neighbour said he knew Ulverstone. He had just been there two days before as part of his underwater photography business. While in Ulverstone the neighbour had even noticed John Jackson’s antique shop. John Jackson said it was ‘a small world’.
Small World
He said his business was 49 years old, about as old as the postcard pictured above.

Planetarium on the Market Place

Leave a reply

Planetarium
Peter sent me pictures of this dark inflatable igloo that he saw on the Market Place, first from outside …
Planetarium
then from inside where three dimensional films could be viewed in a mini planetarium.
Planetarium
The Science Dome could not be put up during the Abingdon Science Festival because of the weather, and was rescheduled today on Abingdon Marketplace.

Stone and Wood WWI and WWII roles of honour

Leave a reply

Stone and Wood
Before the names of the Abingdonians who died in WWI could be carved on the stone war memorial
Stone and Wood
their names had already been carved on wooden memorial tablets now on display near the font in St Helen’s Church. The names on the wooden memorials have the full first names, not just initials.
Stone and Wood
Between the larger WWI tablets is a WWII tablet

Thanks to Mike for pointing this out.

Mayor Making

3 Replies

Mayor Making
The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were dancing outside St Helen’s Church before the Abingdon Town Council Mayor Making. They were led by the Mayor of Ock Street, Harry Knight.
Mayor Making
In St Helen’s Church, Councillor Jan Morter handed on the chain of office of the Mayor of Abingdon to Councillor Margaret Crick.
Mayor Making
Margaret is an ex teacher who not only taught in England but also in the Bahamas. She became a member of the Town Council in 2007, and in the last year has chaired the planning committee, and been Deputy Mayor. She is a keen gardener and craftswoman, who behind the scenes donates handmade jewellery to help raise money for town events.
Mayor Making
The new Deputy Mayor is David Pope, seen here signing the oath of office. David is also district governor for the Rotary International.
Mayor Making
Margaret has chosen two charities that are close to her heart as the Mayor’s Charities. First is Abingdon Carousel who will soon take over running the South Abingdon Children’s Centre. Margaret said that a good start to life is so important for children. She also chose Be Free – Young Carers of Oxfordshire. Margaret was so impressed with how they bring together young people who have taken on the very adult role of caring for relatives.

The outgoing Mayor, Councillor Jan Morter, gave Mayor’s awards to:
* Emma Beacham, the founder of the Abingdon More in Common group.
* Anne Smart, one of the volunteers for Abingdon Cuts Plastic / Abingdon Carbon Cutters.
* Shirley Thompson as a volunteer for 20 years with the Abingdon Children Contact Centre, at Abingdon Baptist church, which allows separated parents to meet with children in a safe neutral place.