Abingdon's got Talent! - Auditions

Abingdon dance group - Under 11s...

Going through the hoops...

Belly Dancers...

Lots of different singers took to the stage in ones and in twos...

30 of Abingdon's most talented have set their sights on the title and the judges have picked only half to make it through to the final on Saturday, 26th July...

Celebrates 60 Years of NHS

The traffic roundabout at the bottom of Lodge Hill in Abingdon celebrates 60 years of the NHS (National Health Service).

The NHS was officially started by the labour government on July 5 1948 to ensure good healthcare to all, regardless of wealth, as can be seen on the NHS Timeline.

Hold the Front Page

They are no longer open for business, but this front page from the Oxford Mail on June 10th has been stuck on the door of the Busy Bee newsagent for a few days now.

We have become a town that can discuss the intricacies of the Scoot traffic light management software, traffic light phasing, and know details from not one but two traffic reports.

The traffic reporter on Radio Oxford said today 'Traffic in Abingdon, and the Vineyard, has been excellent today' as if that was a miracle.

End of Year Show - Part 2

Figure 5: Study of queues

Figure 6: Childhood Home remembered

Figure 7: Nudes

Figure 8: Furniture of recycled cardboard

Large Swan Families

This pair on the Abbey Mill stream have seven cygnets.

And this parent at the entrance to Abingdon Marina has eight.

Swan Upping comes to Abingdon on Friday July 18th this year. The final day of the week long Royal swan count should end at Abingdon Bridge at 17:30. But if these large swan families are anythingto go by, the final toast to 'The Queen' could be late.

Celebrating 50 years of Radio

So what were all the marquees doing near the river on Saturday? I am told there were between four and five hundred people there for the final event.

They came to celebrate 50 years of GBM Radio.

Near the Old Abbey Buildings is the Abbey Baptist Chapel. A few doors along Abbey Close they have their recording studios - GMB Radio. From Abingdon they are producing broadcasts for the Far East and Africa.

End of Year Show - Part 1

At Abingdon and Witney College an exhibition called VIEW - The End of Year Show 2008 is happening. It is the work of young artists from the college... most about to leave Abingdon for university.

Figure 1: An Architectural Project

Figure 2: Fashion Designs

Figure 3: This may be their last...

Figure 4: Broken Window

(Pictures by my wife. A few more to follow. Catch it yourself at Abingdon College from 23rd to 26th June - 10am to 7 pm )