Monthly Archives: June 2015

Notag, Wildwood, and the National Chains

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Empty Shops
Notag Fashions has recently closed. I read on the streetlife forum that the shop will be missed. It had some very loyal customers.
Empty Shops
There is a license application in the window of the empty shop at the end of the precinct for sale of alcohol from midday to midnight.Empty Shops
The application is for a Wildwood Restaurant.
Empty Shops
Not much has happened yet with the biggest unit in Bury Street – completed 2½ years ago. The perceived wisdom was that Abingdon needed bigger units to attract the National Chains.

STAR POWER – 50 Years of Fusion Research at Culham

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Today was Summer Solstice and the longest day. The Sun is powered by nuclear fusion reactions in which lighter elements, like hydrogen, release energy to form heavier elements, like helium.
STAR POWER
A new exhibition, at Abingdon County Hall Museum, takes you behind the scenes, to learn about the history of research at Culham to try to set off fusion reactions here on earth, and  revolutionise electricity generation. The exhibition runs until 18 October 2015 in the Attic Gallery at the museum – see Star Power.
STAR POWER
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of fusion reseach at Culham, and the exhibition tells the story of the Culham site, from wartime days as a naval airfield (HMS Hornbill) through to the many fusion machines that have been built over the years including the European JET project.

Up to now the energy needed to start the fusion reaction is more than the energy generated. But the next generation of even bigger fusion machines could bring star power down to earth.

P.S. The Culham researchers, in the big white building next to the A415 in Culham, have free Open Evenings most months, which can be booked at http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/visits.aspx.

Mayor of Ock Street – 2015

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Mayor of Ock Street
The annual election of the Mayor of Ock Street took part today in town. The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers host the event, and the person voted in by the people of Ock Street becomes the Mock Mayor of Abingdon for the year.

Mayor of Ock Street
Visiting teams were Bampton Traditional Morris Men
Mayor of Ock Street
and  Wychwayz Border Morris.
Mayor of Ock Street
Dancing took place round town in a large number of places including a return to Tompkins Almshouse, after an absence of 3 or 4 years.
Mayor of Ock Street
Duncan Brown was elected Mayor of Ock Street in a closely fought  contest, narrowly beating Harry Knight and Roger Cox. Duncan was presented with the sash, sword, goblet, and hat of office by the Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames Helen Pighills.
Mayor of Ock Street
Duncan was then paraded up and down Ock Street.

Duncan  was born in Abingdon and attended Dunmore and Fitzharrys Schools, He was the youngest ever Mayor of Abingdon in 2010, and is the first person to have been Mayor and Mock Mayor of Abingdon. For a living he sticks needles in people on behalf of the National Blood Service.

The day was generally dry, but following Duncan’s election came heavy rain, thunder and lightening, and then a rainbow.

Fathers Day, and a chance to do what Dads like best

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Fathers Day
The Card Factory in Bury Street is making a big thing of Father’s Day on Sunday.
Fathers Day
While, the South Abingdon Children’s Centre is making a big thing of Dad on Saturday. They are putting on what dads, and male carers, with children under 5, like best … drumming.
Fathers Day
Two people asked me to mention the Cumnor Craft Fair is on.

Trinity Church Fair is also on. As is the St Edmunds School Summer Fayre, and the European School Fete. So lots on for dads, and other people.