New Café Bar on the Market Place

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A new café bar opened two days ago at 15 Market Place, Abingdon, offering a daytime café and a wine bar in the evening.

On my first view on this chilly April morning, people were enjoying the warm seats indoors, but not too many were using the seats outside yet. Someone joked that the additional seating adds to the ongoing “Chair Wars” on the Market Place.

Martin, originally from Belgium, says the chairs on the Market Place remind him of the wonderful café culture on the continent.

The premises were previously a nursery shop and, before that, another café with a French name. The name lives on in Bath Street.

Abingdon Poppy Appeal Honours Long-Serving Collectors

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Alan Fisher, Sue Hargreaves, and Bob Strachan were awarded long service badges this week for their outstanding commitment to the Poppy Appeal.

Each of the trio has dedicated 15 years to the cause and has collectively raised thousands of pounds for the Poppy Appeal.

Alan Fisher, single-handedly covering Abingdon’s house-to-house collections, walks 10 miles over the two-week collection period. He collected £94.21 in his first year and £1,000 this year.

Sue Hargreaves goes above and beyond collection duties. She meticulously cleans all the poppy tins, distributes them throughout Abingdon, collects them after the campaign, and counts the donations.

An 84-year-old veteran, Bob Strachan is a familiar sight in Abingdon’s town centre with his collection tin. Last year alone, Bob raised a remarkable £1,800, and he has set an ambitious target of £2,000 for this year.

Bob Griffiths also received recognition for his invaluable contribution. Bob is responsible for organizing the wreaths for Abingdon.

‘These collectors never fail to amaze me with their dedication,’ said Clare Oldfield, Abingdon Poppy Appeal organiser. ‘Their commitment is truly humbling and inspiring. I would also like to acknowledge the incredible generosity of Abingdon residents, whose contributions over the past eight years have totalled more than a third of a million pounds.’

Interested in becoming a poppy collector? Contact Abingdon Poppy Appeal at abingdon.poppy@gmail.com to learn more and join this dedicated team.