There is a lot on this week in Abingdon for Dementia Action Week. The full list is http://www.healthyabingdon.org.uk/dementia-action-week.htm. I went into the Roysse Room on Monday where there were a number of interesting stalls. Omni have a motion activated projector which allows people to interact with lots of different images and games. It can be used in care and educational settings.
The Alzheimer’s Society had a stall telling of their support and research.

Today I attended a very interesting Dementia Awareness session at 35 Ock Street. We learned more about what it is like to live with dementia and looked at ways to turn that understanding into action, recognising there is more to a person than the dementia. See Dementia Friends to find out more.

Artweeks continues in the Abingdon area until Saturday. There will be all the venues that have been open for a week, and on Saturday, for one day only, The Mind Art Group in Abingdon in the Charter.

The exhibition in St Nicolas Church has been put on by The Abbey Group and they were open late this Thursday evening for people who work.

Another event I often visit and write about on the blog is Museums at Night which is on Friday, 17th May, 7:00pm-9:00pm. At Abingdon County Hall Museum there will be music by The Oxford Waits and others.

Ruby’s Vintage Fair will be back in the Guildhall in the centre of town on Saturday 18th May 10am – 4pm after an absence of four years. The Vintage Fair has been at Millet’s Farm and Our Lady’s Abingdon but not at the Guildhall, the original Abingdon venue.

At the Vintage Fair you might be able to get the once very popular set of three ducks for the wall. I saw three ducks flying over the Guildhall today and it brought back that memory.

Today was a lovely day: blue sky, hawthorn in blossom, and lots of buttercups in the meadows.

Councillor Margaret Crick  handed over the chain of office this evening to Councillor Charlie Birks, who became the new Mayor of Abingdon.  The previous deputy Mayor David Pope, who Margaret described as a tower of strength, failed to get re-elected when all the Conservatives lost their seats. So with 11 new councillors, the new town council had a dilemma who should be the next mayor. Charlie has lived in Abingdon since 1974 and seems very personable. So good luck to him.

The new Deputy Mayor is Abingdon’s first Green Party Councillor Cheryl Briggs.

The outgoing Mayor had a lot of praise for the Conservative Councillors who lost their seats. She thanked Mike Badcock for many years of work for the town, and his support for her in her year as Mayor. Another special mention was for Dennis Garrett after all the long hours he put in on the Guldhall project. All of them got mentioned by name.

Councillor Margaret Crick gave outgoing Mayors awards to:
* Penny Clover  for her contribution to life in the town including work on Abingdon Carousel and the Guild of Town Criers
* Helen Flynn for her work with the AbiBinit! initiative
* Sue Hammersley for many years of volunteer work including the opening of the Blue Sky Eco Cafe.

Margaret also gave cheques to her two charities: Abingdon Carousel, and Be Free Young Carers

Councillor Charlie Birks said the new Mayor’s charity is The Abingdon Bridge which supports young people in the town. Revd Charles Miller would be Mayor’s Chaplain. The civic service will be announced. He also announced that Fun and Music in the Park would be on Saturday 1st June, and there would be Abingdon-on-Thames pride celebrations on Saturday 22nd June.

Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers danced before the ceremony. Revd Paul Smith, the outgoing Mayor’s Chaplain, said the opening and closing prayers. Abingdon Town Band played music, including the National Anthem. Councillors then left the stage and people shook hands with the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor and were invited for a drink in the Roysse Room.

The Abbey Sailing Club invited people to join them sailing on the river in Abingdon.

Today was dedicated to new people having a go. More about the Sailing Club can be found at https://abbeysailingclub.btck.co.uk/

Jazz has continued over the weekend both at the Abingdon Jazz Festival and the events at the Roysse Room.

Bands played on the Market Place this Sunday afternoon in the sunshine as a finale.

The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were also in town dancing at the Kngs Head and Bell. They will be back tomorrow for the Mayor Making at the Guildhall.