Europe Day - Keeping it Local

It is Europe Day. In town were a group from Schongau - Abingdon's twin town in Bavaria.

On the Market Place in the morning were a Christian Aid Stall, and a Scout Stall.

On the Market Place in the afternoon were...

The Appalachian Dancers - with band. They didn't travel quite as far as it sounds.

Then came the Rockhopper Morris, who train in Stokenchurch, but come from all over (Didcot, Haddenham in Bucks, and Hampshire). Sam Mabbett, on melodian, is just twelve years old.

There were the Mayflower Morris from Aldershot - even more an army town than Abingdon.

Then there were the Chinewrde Morris from Kenilworth. Argos in Kenilworth has just closed and people are asking why. But it seems that Kenilworth is only a few miles from out-of-town retail parks with free parking in nearby larger towns.

The hosts for the dancing were Mr Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris Dancers.

They are not to be confused with The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers who can be seen next Saturday dancing on the Market Place for the Spring Festival.

That will also be the start of the Spring into Abingdon initiative. More on that soon. That is an initiative from local people for local people.

A load of old rubbish

In one corner of the Tesco carpark are the recycle bins.

The only place I know to recycle cardboard in Abingdon - apart from compost..

And here is some rubbish fished out of the Ock, which if it does not collected soon will end up back in the River Ock - includind 3 Tesco Trolleys, 2 car batteries, and 2 bikes.

In the Steps of Saint Paul

In St Nic's church there was a book signing by an Abingdon author.

The new book, In the Steps of Saint Paul, has already been translated into 7 languages.

(Peter Walker, the author, is pictured above with Mark from Mostly Books).

Pope Benedict has announced that the year from June 29, 2008 will mark Saint Paul's 2000 anniversary.

Into the mix

The new traffic lights are up and ready to add to the Town Centre mix.

And in the Guildhall, 80 representatives of town centre businesses went at the invitation of the town council to a forum to discuss town centre vitality.

The big three issues continue to be: Traffic, Threadneedle (precinct) and Parking.

It was a chance for businesses to meet and share experiences with the town council, and with each other. The man employed by the Abingdon JEF (Joint Economic Forum) to produce an action plan for Abingdon was there to listen and add it all into the mix.

There were suggestions that any follow up meeting should also invite the District and County Council.

Good year for Bluebells

Its been a good year for bluebells (these are behind Long Alley Almshouses)

And a good year for Honesty (near St Helens Vicarage)

And Ivy, but most years seem good for Ivy. (near Slippy Bridge in the Abbey Meadows).

Too good to throw away

This charity shop had a number of deliveries over the Bank Holiday. The collection of jumble built up during the day. The notice in the window says "Please do not leave goods outside of Opening Hours."

Artweeks Oxfordshire

Artweeks exhibitions can normally be identified by the yellow and blue sign. These are just three spotted today near the centre of Abingdon:

School children's art at Our Lady's Junior School 6-9 May (9am-4 pm)

The East St Helen Street Group at St Ethelwolds House 3-11 May (12-6 pm)

Abingdon Artists at St Helens Church 3-11 May (12-5 pm)

Most of the rest are listed on the Artweeks Website.

Abingdon Air & Country Show 2008

There was a good crowd at the Abingdon Air and Country Show.

Tens of thousands of pictures must have been taken.

This one is by my wife.

This one by me. The rain had started.

The Mayor was there with her husband and his car. They had to leave early to attend an official engagement - a classical music competition in Abingdon.

The old 61 Witney to Abingdon Bus was on show. The same route is now covered by the X15.

There was a good turnout of cars by the MG Owners Club.

Behind the jet is Didcot Power Station. It must be six miles away but looks much nearer. The picture lacks perspective.