Fröƶen opened their new shop today at the top of West St Helen Street.

They serve frozen yogurt with a large variety of toppings, and were doing well on their first day. (Frozen Yogurt is big business and has taken off in the last couple of years.)

The Kings Head and Bell re-opened today after a refurbishment. The Mayor of Abingdon, Helen Pighills, is seen here with Ian Grundy one of the people in charge at Foundation Inns.

Pubs in Abingdon have seen big changes since Foundation Inns first revitalised The Kings Head and Bell seven years ago.

They are now improving the pub again.

On the Market Place today some of the recently elected town councillors were selling wristbands for Music in the Parks. There are still openings for 300 people to go to the Abingdon music event of the year!

The four councillors are: Samantha Bowring, Alice Badcock, Neil Fawcett, and Mike Badcock.

Also on the Market Place, 2121 (Abingdon) Squadron, Air Cadets, were letting young people know of other openings, including the opportunity to get airbourne and earn their wings.

The Bank Holiday walks organised by The Friends of Abingdon with other groups are now into their fourth year. All walks start at the Market Place at 10:30am or 2:00pm. Book in from 10:00 am on the day.

Walks on Offer:
• The 1556 Abingdon Boundary Walk. Approximately 4 miles leaving at 10:30am.
• The Wilts and Berks Canal Heritage Walk. Approximately 3 or 5 miles leaving at 10:30
• The Ock Valley Nature Walk with Abingdon Green Gym. 3½ miles leaving at 2:00pm. Tea and Cakes at the Abbey Buildings.
• The Radley Lakes Walk with the Friends of Radley Lakes. 5 miles leaving at 2:00pm. Tea and Cakes available at the Lakes.
• The Lost Abbey Tour. St Nicolas Church and the Lost Abbey. Leaving at 10:30 am. and 2:00pm. Teas in the Abbey Buildings.
• The St Helen’s Almshouses Tour. Leaving at 10:30 am.

Link: http://www.friendsofabingdon.org.uk/news/events/

This evening at St Helen’s Church there was a concert to celebrate fifty years of Abingdon Town Band.

Steve Rich, the musical director for thirty years, looked back to the days when rehearsals began at Dunmore School in 1965, and now to the excellent facilities they use at John Mason School in 2015. He looked forward to 2065 when the Band will hopefully have their own rehearsal hall, and bandstand in the park.

The band play at many civic events including the remembrance day services in Abingdon for the last 45 years. Steve’s wife, Alison, the principal cornet player, has played the Last Post most of those years, and has been complemented by army experts on many occasions.

The band will be doing Proms in the Park again on June 6th, as part of Music in the Park.

This evenings concert began with the National Anthem, and ended with the bands signature tune ‘True and Trusty’. There was a full and varied programme.

Last night, Abingdon County Hall Museum opened its doors from 5pm-9pm for an evening of free entertainment for all.

Performers included:

• Oxford Horns,
• Opera Anywhere
• Ian Miles and The Mulberry Band

+ Raw Diva, a talented all female dance group from Oxford.

Raw Diva were raising money for Blue Skye Thinking, a local charity which supports research so that all children diagnosed with brain tumours will have a better chance of survival. It is also one of the charities of Helen Pighills, the new Abingdon Mayor. The other is the Breakaway Club.

The museum opening was an opportunity to experience the museum in a new light

and to watch the setting sun from the museum roof.