Abingdon Blog

Halloween kicks off the run in to Christmas

Throughout the month of October there has been a crate of pumpkins outside Waitrose, on Abbey Close. When I went there today there was one very squashed pumpkin left.

Outside and inside Fabulous Flowers, on Bridge Street, there have been pumpkins and gourds throughout October.

Masons wool shop, on Stert Street, have pine cones, leaves, and horse chestnuts; spiders, webs, witch and brooms. and skull patterned material. These things you might see in other Halloween themed shop windows. What is unique at Masons are the orange and black balls of wool and the orange and black knitting patterns.

The Children’s Air Ambulance charity shop, on High Street, has a heart arresting display.

The British Heart Foundation, on Bury Street, removed their Halloween display today. They are now on the run in to Christmas.

Leave a Comment October 31, 2019

Mellstock Band to visit Abingdon

The Mellstock Band are performing a show called‘Christmas Frolics’ in the Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon on Wednesday 4th December at 7.30. Tickets £15/£12 (students and under 18)  from Mostly books  or davetownsendmusic.com

This will be a celebration of dance, drink and general misbehaviour as carried on at Christmas in many villages until about a hundred years ago, and will include convivial harmony songs, rousing dance music, and Thomas Hardy’s poetry set to local tunes.

Thomas Hardy gave a lot of places new names in his novels. Mellstock is his home village Bockhampton. His characters also ventured to Alfredston (Wantage), Christminster (Oxford), and Lumsdon (Cumnor). What would he have called Abingdon?

4 Comments October 30, 2019

Liquidambar trees

The Liquidambar trees on the Market Place are turning red.

These regular trees have behaved well so far on the Market Place and The Square in Abingdon, and each year give a flaming red autumn show.

Peter Green had something to do with their selection when he was on Abingdon Town Council. When he suggested Liquidambar a lot of people said what are they? At the time there was a choice between them and the better known London Plane.

There are Plane trees at St Helen’s Wharf, alongside the River Thames, just as there are along the longer embankment in London.

The Plane trees along Conduit Road were pollarded earlier in the year and have already grown back to what can be seen in the picture. They are hardy urban trees that can be cut back and then grow again.

3 Comments October 30, 2019

Festive Bingo Prizes

Pete sent me these pictures of some of the festive prizes to be won at the Preston Road Community Centre Bingo. Door open at 7 pm every Tuesday evening. Eyes Down at 8 pm.

The first games are for non cash prizes, and then after the break, and a raffle, there are cash prizes including the Preston Road Jackpot which ends about 10 pm.

Pete is the longest serving Bingo helper. His devotion to helping at bingo is beaten by his devotion to Oxford United. They are playing this Tuesday and so somebody else will be substituting for Pete this week. Pete sells tickets, checks the winning cards and gives out the prizes during the game, and then helps stack tables and chairs at the end of the evening.

Leave a Comment October 29, 2019

5,000 motorcyclists took part in a “ride of respect”

5,000 motorcyclists took part in a “ride of respect” in honour PC Andrew Harper. His widow led the ride with her brother on PC Harper’s bike, and can be seen biking over Abingdon Bridge, nearest the camera.

Crowds had gathered on the route through Abingdon from about midday. The first bikes rode through at about 12:30.

Motor Cyclists came from many places. One flew the Flag of Gibraltar.

There were not just motor cycles. At one place in the convoy there were a variety of three wheeled vehicles including a boat.

The Mayor of Abingdon was there with his chain and motorcycle gear to applaud the convoy.

Police Motorcyclists were taking part, helping to marshall the event, and be part of the ride.

People applauded the riders who came through in batches of about 500. The last group through were at about 4 pm. It was amazing and my selection of pictures does not do it justice.

Here is a short video showing riders coming through Abingdon.

Leave a Comment October 27, 2019