Saxophone (and Reading) Saturday

On the Market Place this morning a large number of saxophones could be heard - led by George Haslam. It continued this afternoon with a Saxophone quartet from Abingdon Concert Band

It was called Saxophone Saturday.

In the Guildhall the Mayor was presenting reading certificates on behalf of Abingdon Library who had been running a reading scheme over the summer. Children who read six books or more got a certificate.

Some young people had time to read six books and learn saxophone.

Alpha Supper and Eid Festival

The Alpha Course banners have been out for a while, and tonight it kicked off.

I saw people, some with musical instruments, leaving the Guildhall after The Abingdon Alpha Supper - an introductory dinner and jazz evening. I was too late to get pictures inside but will try to get to go to a group at least once to explore the big questions.

Also next Wednesday 1st October is the end of the Muslim fast of Ramadan and there will be an Eid Festival with prayer and celebration at the same venue - the Guildhall. The Abingdon Muslim group welcome other faiths and community. Time 9:30 am.

Just another impediment!

The Drayton Road Bridge divides Abingdon in two. To the south of the River Ock about a third of the population live. They suffer more traffic problems than the rest of Abingdon.

The bridge acts as a bottleneck to traffic coming from the south, and has been widened on a couple of ocassions, most recently in about 1970. Looking up inside the bridge it is layered like the growth of a tree. On one side the bridge is arched, in the middle the circular arch is made of bricks, finally the most recent bridge widening uses prefabricated concrete.

It not only acts as a bottleneck to traffic, last July the water could not get under the arches and backed up and backed up and flooded all over. This crack willow has split and fallen into the stream. Just another impediment!

Car Free Road

Last school term this road (near Abingdon School) would have been full or cars for most of the day, but after the introduction of clamping signs there is not a car to be seen.

Name that School - 1

What School in Abingdon has been invaded Daleks?

Two clues:

1. Children from this school used to be featured on the intro to BBC South Today - Oxford
2. Anagram of 'Sedate Him'

Asylum Monologues

At Saint Helens Church this evening we heard personal testimonies of Asylum Seekers in the UK as performed by actors in a very simple and powerful show. It has already been performed in many towns in the UK, and it just needs someebody local to ask and they'll do it where you are. See Actors For Refugees for more information.

These were the actors tonight. They come from a rolling band of willing volunteers, and were presented with a Saint Helens Church mug for their efforts.

'This is the thing that the British people don’t understand. They think we came here just because we want to live here. We came here because there are problems – that why we came here.'

The local MP, Dr Evan Harris is seen here talking afterwards with Christine Bacon who runs the show.

Know your PCSOs

These PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) have just sorted out a couple of cowboys who pulled up opposite the War Memorial. The Cowboys needed directions to the Abbey Buildings.

PCSOs have become a common sight, particularly in the town centre. A new web site can tell you all about them. Their locally defined priorities are to tackle

1. Anti-social behaviour
2. Gangs of young people
3. Underage drinking

Nothing about sorting out Cowboys!!!

To find out more ...

Rabbit Racing

At Preston Road Community Centre last night was rabbit racing. It was put on to raise money for respite care for children with severe illnesses - the appeal is dedicated to Rosie who had a brain tumour.

The evening was organised by the Buffs (The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes).