Thong Rangers

The Didcot Thong Rangers came through town pulling a black truck. They were on a 16.3 miles trek around Abingdon, and villages, collecting money for breast cancer research.

Full Moon / River

The windows of Fellows Court are reflected at Saint Helens Wharf, as is the full moon. The River Thames is also full.

The Thames The Thames

The Mayor can be seen here cutting the tape for a new exhibition at Abingdon County Hall Museum.

The exhibition comprises the paintings of Bill Pike, pictured here with his paintings and the Mayor.

The other part of the exhibition has black and white photographs of the River Thames by Henry Taunt. Not a ripple to be seen back in those days.

Here Elizabeth Drury, Abingdon historian, photographer and co-author of the book 'Abingdon Past and Present', talks to Graham Diprose, photographer and co-author of the book 'The River Thames Revisited - in the Footsteps of Henry Taunt'. Both books show photographs comparing past and present.

One of Henry Taunt's modern day relatives was there at the opening. He has a boat on the Thames, moored in Abingdon.

Look for the Light

Three pictures from my better half, who is doing an Art Foundation Course at Abingdon and Witney College...

The swan is drifting away...

One thing the tutor told the students was that when taking photographs they should look for the light. There is not so much around these November days.

To Be Seen down Saxton Road

Pigeons in November

These pigeons were on the railings of Wilsham Road. The once smart black paint on this section of railings is peeling.

Pigeons are creatures of habit and will congregate at the same place at the same time if they learn that food will be available at that moment. They get scared off by people with cameras trying to get too close.

I did read on the internet that, on Armistice day, the Allied forces had in their service approximately 320,000 pigeons for communication.

Silver Anniversary for Brass Band

Leading the Remembrance Day Parade were The Abingdon Town Band with Steve Rich in front.

Steve has been leading and conducting the band for twenty five years.

At the start of December there will be, what has been called, A Golden and Silver Celebration Concert. That is golden for fifty years of The Abingdon Operatic Society, and silver for the twenty five years Steve has led the Brass Band.

Just a flash back to 2006, where the band entertained the crowds when Princess Anne came to town.

Remembrance Day

There were a lot of people there for the Remembrance Day Service round the War Memorial. Every year there seem more people. The last post was played on the bugle, two minutes of silence followed, then a glider flew past, before the wreathes were laid at the War Memorial.

Afterwards, as the troops and uniformed organisations marched past, there was a loud cheer for the Soldiers. Many could be going back to Afghanistan and Iraq next year.

As well as the active soldiers, who continue to serve in wars, were the honoured veterans.

Somebody was telling me that a decade or so ago there used to be a gap in front of Smarts, the fish and chip shop, during the remembrance service. The area had been reserved for World War I soldiers but of those who had survived there were fewer and fewer, and so other people have filled in that area since.


They shall grow not old,
As we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.

--Laurence Binyon (1869 to 1943)