PRCC - new youth club

A new youth club had its first meeting at Preston Road Community Centre. The idea was suggested a few weeks ago by the local PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers).

This is Chris, one of the South Abingdon PCSOs. They have been joined by some volunteer youth workers from the area in getting it off the ground. The group running it is a partnership of the police, PRCC and the Vineyard Church. Its based on a similar group on the Peachcroft estate in North Abingdon.

The club starts at 7:30 on Fridays nights for 12-17 years olds. It will run the second and forth Fridays until there are sufficient voluteers for weekly opening. Just as I was leaving a BBC camera crew were arriving, doing a documentary round South Abingdon about the work of PCSOs. 25 kids turned up for the first week and 24 registered to become members of the club.

What the club still needs is a fold-up table tennis table.

White Stripe Pigeons

Time for a restful post today. Two pigeons on the railings - both with a white tripe on their beaks.

Abingdon School Open Day

Abingdon School had an open day last Saturday morning. It was a chance for prospective pupils to view lessons in progress - lessons continue through Saturday mornings. It was also a chance to look round the sports hall opened last autumn. I hoped to take some pictures but, having spoken to a number of staff, that was not to be. In this day and age you cannot be too careful.

I was sent this picture of the outside of the new cedar-clad hall. More pictures of the sports hall can be seen on the school's website .

35 Ock Street - flood group set up

At 35 Ock Street (in front of the Baptist Church) there were about 70 people crowded into a steamy first floor room last night for a meeting about setting up an River Ock flood group. There were lots of ideas about what could be done such as dredging the River properly, clearing old channels, a flood storage area outside Abingdon etc.

It had been called by local councillors so I did hear some concerns that 'the council are trying to us to do their dirty work for free'. But there were also those ready to sign up and get things moving. Tight time scales have been put forward by the district council for groups applying for funding schemes. (Only £100K available across the district, but it can help bring in matched funding from other councils and agencies.)

Co-op Opening

The new Abingdon Co-op opens today. The Mayor will be there, and the town crier. I wish them well. (If only I could be there, but I'm off to work.)

A new bollard

Down near Saint Helen's Wharf, the metal barrier, which used to impede wheeled access, was removed last year. It was neither wheelchair nor baby-buggy friendly, and had to be got rid of in these post Disability Discrimination Act times.

The replacement was a traditional bollard which fits in better with the traditional looking wharf.

Many thanks to Colin, an ex-pat Abingdonian, for sending this picture of the Wharf. He started scanning old negatives onto the computer, and found this one taken by his dad.

Abingdon Whats On?

A new website has been set up, and very soon it will be followed by paper copies showing Whats On in Abingdon.

The intention is to show all that is going on in Abingdon during, what is traditionally, a quieter time of year. But why stop there... Everybody can send in what they are doing to abingdondiary@otcn.co.uk. Hopefully, then it will run and run.

First up on the 'Whats On' is an evening with Joanna Trollope at Saint Helen and Katherine School, hosted by Mostly Books.

It's already too late for a performance of the Bach Christmas Oratorio - last night at Saint Helen's Church - which Harry and me listened to from the porch for a few minutes, during a dog-walk.

Into the Labyrinth

At St Michaels, this is the newly made labyrinth in the style of the ancient Abbey of Abingdon.
Here parishioners are walking the labyrinth under the general guidance of the Revd.. Sally Welch,

a Diocesan adviser on labyrinths, their history, and their potential contribution to the spiritual life..

(Thanks to John again for the pictures and words.)

Stratton Way Changes

The road works have already started at the top end of Stratton Way. They will run for another 3 to 4 weeks.

Elsewhere in Stratton Way there is a new church on Sundays from 11 - 12:30 at the NET youth centre. For anybody who has been enjoying watching 'Around the World in 80 Religions' this church could be of interest. It had its origin in Nigeria in 1952. They have already set up a church in Barton in Oxford.