Plant-based Market

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There was a plant-based market with around 20 stalls arranged around the Market Place in Abingdon today. The event was organised by Kordia Events, which runs a travelling programme of vegan markets across the country, bringing together traders with plant-based foods, drinks and products. The market had previously visited Wallingford in February and is due to appear in Dorking tomorrow.

The stalls several hot-food vendors, alongside drinks traders, cake stalls and deli-style stands offering food to take home. One stall specialised in vegan cheezes.

Although the sky remained grey for most of the day, the weather stayed dry and the market was popular. It appeared to draw not only local residents but also visitors from outside Abingdon who had come specifically for the plant-based market. The market added a lively atmosphere to the Market Place.

Also to be seen on or near the Market Place were people flying a Palestinian flag, reflecting continuing concern about developments in the Middle East.

Two New Views of Abingdon for the Museum

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At present, two new painting are displayed side by side in the Attic of Abingdon County Hall Museum. Both now belong to the museum. One was a gift from Sint-Niklaas to the Abingdon Church Twinning Group who, after displaying it themselves at churches, donated it to the museum. That is Study of St Helen’s Church and St Helen’s Wharf by George Vicat Cole.

The other, Near Abingdon, a watercolour by Arthur Claude Strachan, was purchased from a bequest from Peter Clare. Peter worked for the UK Atomic Energy Authority at Harwell and later for a scientific institute in Cambridge, before returning to Abingdon to work in the family business, Touchwood Sports, on the High Street. Alongside his professional life, and in retirement, Peter became involved in many local organisations, and was treasurer of the Abingdon Museum Friends and CPRE Oxfordshire for many years.

(CPRE Oxfordshire have an obituary to peter in their Autumn 2021 magazine.)

A Town Centre Opening This Weekend

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There are three or four businesses about to open in Abingdon Town Centre. The first opening on Saturday 7th March at 26 Stert Street is a clinic offering a range of skincare treatments. The premises has been refurbished recently with a uniform colour scheme. A ‘Grand Opening’ notice was added this week. It operates on an appointment-only basis, with bookings made online via its website.

Town Centre Dresses for World Book Day

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Masons, the craft and fabric shop, decorated their window three weeks ago with a mermaid rising from a sea of children’s books. They have animal character headbands on sale, and material out of which creative people could make favourite book characters.

At Oxfam, a dress made from the sewn pages of a book stands in the window, alongside a display of books.

World Book Day is celebrated on the first Thursday in March each year. World Book Day was set up in 1995 to encourage children to discover the pleasure of reading. The book shops will have books available for just £1.

Schools taking part in Book Day will have celebrations to promote a love for reading.

And beyond the animal headbands and mermaids, there are plenty of books waiting for grown-up readers too.