In Abingdon County Hall Museum there is an exhibition of objects crammed together into boxes and then rendered in great detail with coloured pencil artworks. This is the work of Oxfordshire Artist, Robert Strange. Most of the objects are very colourful and ordinary but made remarkable by the way they are squashed together.
You can also buy, in the museum shop, examples of the artwork on cushions, coasters, mugs, and cards.
Bank holiday Monday completed the early May bank holiday weekend with a scorcher. This picture was taken on Abbey Close at about 9am before it got really hot.
I don’t know why they even bother having a doorbell when they have a knocker like that.
The Unicorn Cinema has an extended run as they await the chance to move into the Guildhall. On the front of the current brochure is the film The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. An interesting title – I’ll have to go and see what it is about.
On the millsteam at that early hour the reflections were better than the original.
There was not a cloud in the sky for the 19th annual Abingdon Air and Country Show.
As usual there were a lot of ex military vehicles, and classic vehicles – including MGs and Rileys made in Abingdon.
The event is run by a dedicated team of volunteers led by Neil Porter. Over the years the event has raised a lot of money for charities, including £72.095.70 for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Ambulance Trust. The trust had a stall where people could perform operations.
There was the usual big variety of stalls, and a fairground for people who came before the air display started.
There was a music tent, a craft tent, and two arenas where performances took place, including some by the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, and Vale Islanders.
A big crowd gathered to watch the air display that started at around two O’Clock.
The event, held on the ex-RAF Abingdon Airfield, celebrated the RAFs centenary. The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew over with a Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire to start the flying display.
The heat meant that people found shade where they could, including under this large RAF people carrier.
There followed a flight by a roaring Strikemaster jet.
Various planes flew. There was also a parachute display and Royal Navy helicopter display.
The most amazing display involved a bi-plane and a car going down the runway together, the bi plane at 45 degrees. A video below gives you an idea of what they were like if you missed the event.
The 10th Abingdon Scouts (St Helens) had a large jumble stall on the Market Place today. The weather could not have been better for the start of the Early May Bank Holiday weekend with Abingdon Air and Country Show happening tomorrow (6th May 2018). Bring on the Sunshine!
Fun and Music in the Park will be happening on the 2nd June 2018 and wrist bands for Music in the Park were on sale on the Market Place thanks to Councillor Alice Badcock, Mayor last year, and Councillor Jan Morter, Mayor this year.
Artweeks has started in parts of Oxfordshire. The regional schedule is North and West Oxfordshire 5th-13th May; Oxford City 12th-20th May and South Oxfordshire (including Abingdon) 19th-28th May.
Posters have also appeared to say that the Abingdon County Hall museum at night event is happening again on 18th May. As well as looking at the history of England’s oldest settlement, there will be a celebration of traditional folk music from all quarters of the British isles – including Abingdon.