Trinity Church celebrates Black History Month

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Trinity Church in Abingdon celebrated Black History Month today with a programme of talks, storytelling, music and conversation.

The event featured a talk by Mr Bevan Powell MBE on the history of Black History Month.

This was followed by absorbing storytelling from Mr Joseph Kingsley Nyinah.

There was also a conversation with the Rt Hon Lord Boateng, who many people of my age will remember as Paul Boateng, a Labour Cabinet minister and Britain’s first Black Cabinet minister.

He made the point that no one political party has a monopoly on advancing racial justice.

One example is the repeal in 1981 of the so-called ‘sus’ law, a provision of the Vagrancy Act 1824 that gave police powers to arrest people suspected of intending to commit certain offences. It was used disproportionately against Black men and contributed to tensions between Black communities and the police.

The provision was repealed under Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government, following a campaign involving Black community activists and politicians from across the political spectrum, including Lord Boateng himself.

Lord Boateng went on to argue that political campaigning is just as important as what politicians do once in office in bringing about positive change in society. Reflecting on the current political climate, in which many people have become disenchanted with politics, he said Christians should be campaigning for their core values: peace, justice and care for creation.

The programme also included a musical performance by three members of the Methodist Zimbabwe Fellowship Choir.

The event was introduced by the Revd Georgina Bondzi-Simpson, minister of Trinity and All Saints Church, with a short service led by the Revd Sonia Hicks.

Afterwards, many of those attending went through to the church hall to enjoy African and Caribbean food, including jerk chicken, fried plantain, salt fish fritters and sea bass in coconut cream. There were plenty of other dishes, too, many of which I was trying for the first time and couldn’t name.

Guests included the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Andrew Skinner, and his wife, along with Cllr Rawda Jehanli, last year’s Mayor.

Clock House in Abingdon takes on a new name

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Work appears to be nearing completion at Clock House in Abingdon, with the painting of the railings and tidying up the steps.

More substantial renovation work, involving extensive scaffolding, took place earlier in the year.

Signs advertising apartments have now appeared outside, revealing a new name for the building: Westbrook House.

The Abingdon Buildings and People portal refers to the building, along with the neighbouring clock house, as Clock House. It says Clock House, at 22–28 Ock Street, was probably designed by local builder Samuel Westbrook for Benjamin Tomkins and his wife, Sarah.

Repairs underway at Abingdon Bridge

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Concrete and masonry repairs are underway beneath the arch of Burford Bridge in Abingdon

The work beneath Burford Bridge is being carried out from a pontoon positioned in the river, with scaffold towers giving access to the underside of the arch.

Boat users are being advised of navigation restrictions beneath the bridge while the repairs are in progress.

Burford Bridge forms part of Abingdon’s historic bridge crossing, which dates back to the 15th century. The arch was rebuilt in 1927–28, replacing the earlier smaller arches. Stonework was reused to retain the historic appearance of the bridge.

Sections of masonry along the upper sections of both Burford and Abingdon Bridges are also being repaired.

Thankyou to Elizabeth for two pictures from Monday. Repairs continue today as seen in the sunnier picture.

Some upcoming events in Abingdon towards the end of October

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There are a variety of events as we move towards the second half of October. I’ll begin with 3 events where people emailed me details.

Abingdon Swingtime, an 18-piece big band featuring vocalists, will be playing classic big band tunes from the Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington era. The band played at last year’s Poppy Ball.

Eddy Smythe will tell the story of his father, John Smythe, who came to the UK from Sierra Leone to join the RAF during the Second World War. He became an officer but was shot down over Germany during a bombing raid and spent 18 months in a prisoner-of-war camp. After liberation, he was seconded to the Colonial Office, where he played a crucial role in the beginnings of the Windrush Generation. He later trained as a barrister and became Attorney General of his home country.

Mental health charity Restore is running a free 10-week series of crafting and mental health and wellbeing sessions, starting on 20 October. The sessions are intended to reach and support people in the Caldecott area.

Then there are those posters and banners I’ve seen advertised around town. Make Music Abingdon have another music event at the Loose Cannon Taproom on 15th October.

The Abingdon Traditional Craft Fair cannot be in the Abbey Buildings this year and so instead from the 23rd to 25th October they will be at St Helen and St Katherine School. See https://www.abingdoncraftfair.org.uk/.

The Abingdon Drama Club are also displaced while the Abbey Building’s work is underway. And their Play 1984 will be in Sutton Courtney Parish Church. The author of 1984, George Orwell, is buried in the church yard.

Abingdon Artist have their Autumn Exhibition at Christ Church Barn at the end of the month.

Abingdon Operatic Society will be staging the musical COME FROM AWAY at the end of the month. Come From Away tells the true story of 7,000 air passengers who were stranded in the wake of 9/11. Grounded in the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, when US airspace closed.