Ruby’s Fair, Fun in the Park, and Music in the Park

Rubys Fair
Ruby’s Vintage Fair was in the Guildhall today. One stall had artwork based on the Bunty Comics. My wife said “their stories were so exciting at the time.”
Fun in the Park
Fun in The Park was happening in the Abbey Parks, and there were lots of exciting play activities for the children
Fun in the Park
Abingdon Rotary Club were there with one of their Shelter Boxes. ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and vital supplies to support communities around the world overwhelmed by disaster – such as Nepal.
Fun in the Park
A group of eminent Abingdon historians were photographed with the MP, Nicola Blackwood, Mayor, Helen Pighills, and Deputy Mayor, to thank them for their work on the town portal’s history section. The Deputy Mayor, Alice Badcock, had done a lot of the organisation of the Park events, together with Town Council staff.
Fun in the Park
There were also some exciting activities in the Car Park for all ages.
Fun in the Park
At the Friends of the Open Air Pool stall you could stick a flag in a square on an Old Map of Abingdon, and have the chance of winning a prize.
Music in the Park
Music in the Park followed later in the day. A sell out crowd watched bands such as Hippy Haze, the Undercovers (pictured above) …
Music in the Park
Prisoners Of Katrina …
Music in the Park
and Green Onions.
Music in the Park
The evening ended with Abingdon Town Band playing The Proms
Music in the Park
followed by fireworks.

Lots going on in Abingdon, England, but no red telephone boxes.

You will probably know already that this Saturday in Abingdon is Fun in the Park, and Music in the Park, in the Abbey Gardens; and on Sunday the Abingdon Food Festival at Miele.
Lot going on
Peter sent me an email, as a reminder, that Ruby’s Vintage and Retro Fair is also on at the Guildhall from 10-4 on Saturday. Here is a picture I took of Peter and his sister with their stall last time round.
Lot going on
Cars and campers are also gathering at Dalton Barracks this weekend for the Abingdon CAR-nival .
Lot going on
By the way, does anybody know if there are any red telephone boxes left in Abingdon, England. Abingdon, Virginia, now have two and are planning to get more. See the news source here. Perhaps we too need to start buying some back. Visitors from our USA sister city will be very disappointed if they come over here to see our modern replacement phone boxes.

Changes Round Abingdon Bridge

Changes Round Abingdon Bridge
Just ten days ago I took a picture of a coots nest below Abingdon Bridge, with six baby coots. Today there were two adult birds sitting on the nest, with no babies in sight. What happened?
Changes Round Abingdon Bridge
The Herald had a couple of Abingdon Bridge stories this week. The Old Gaol development are advertising three restaurants ‘To Let.’
Changes Round Abingdon Bridge
And Planning application P15/V1255/FUL has been submitted at the end of May so that The Boat Centre  on Nags Head Island, now owned by Salter Steamers, would relocate the chandlery into the old workshop, and with minor remodeling, make a cafe from the old chandlery.
Changes Round Abingdon Bridge
This evening three swimmers, emulating David Walliams, swam under Abingdon Bridge.
Changes Round Abingdon Bridge
There were plenty of people on the other side of Nags Head Island, at The Nags Head, to take pictures.
Changes Round Abingdon Bridge
The Upper Reaches Hotel, with its large riverside carpark has not been in the news, but there are rumours that it could be about to see changes.

Green Gym digging up Thistles

Thickets of Thistles
The Green Gym were out  last weekend digging up thistles from the newly created wild flowers area in the Abbey Meadows.
Thickets of Thistles
They came with thick gloves to uproot the prickly thistles.
Thickets of Thistles
Thousands of thistles were taken down and disposed of.

The Green Gym will be promoting their activities at Fun in The Park next weekend, then tackling Himalayan Balsam for most of the rest of June. Their website and full programme is available here.