Abingdon Air and Country Show 2013

Abingdon Air and Country Show 2013
The day started off cloudy as aircraft purred overhead, heading towards the show at Dalton Barracks.
Abingdon Air and Country Show 2013
By about lunchtime the show was busy thanks to the blue sky and sun and another excellent show program. There were lots of stalls and amusements …
Abingdon Air and Country Show 2013
the usual mix of vintage cars, traction engines, and old military vehicles.
Abingdon Air and Country Show 2013
Then came the air show with near ideal conditions. The Tristar from Brize Norton was the largest plane to fly by.
Abingdon Air and Country Show 2013
A Lancaster from the RAF Coningsby, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, had top billing.
Abingdon Air and Country Show 2013
Another World War II plane was a Hurricane based locally at Wallingford.
Abingdon Air and Country Show 2013
The Breitling Wingwalkers returned for a second year. In this manoeuvre the wing walkers got very close to holding hands.

Money raised goes to the Air Ambulance which also did a display. Thanks to Neil and Co for organising another fantastic event.

24 young canoeists going from Witney to Westminster via Abingdon

Young Canoeists
A group of 24 young canoeists slept overnight in St Helens Church Centre last night, before setting off from Abingdon Rowing Club this morning, on their way from Witney to Westminster. This Canoe Challenge covers 127 miles. The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the work of Adventure Plus, in its mission to help children and young people to reach their potential through adventure and education.

They can be seen on the video passing Abingdon Marina this morning with the whole world ahead of them. Further information about this organization can be found on their website www.adventureplus.org.uk.

This Saturday in Abingdon – Book Sale, Cadet Recruitment, and need for helpers

Big Book Sale
There was a Book sale at the Fire Station from 10 -2 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Firefighters Charity and to raise much needed funds for them.

Cadet Recruitment
The Abingdon Cadets of the Army, Navy and RAF were recruiting new members in the Market Place, Abingdon.
Cadet Recruitment
The sea cadets mentioned they needed a treasurer if you know anybody.

Come to think of it I need help with Abingdon Town Amateur Boxing club as some committee members will be moving on this summer so if you know anybody who has an interest in the sport please get in touch.

Oxfordshire Art Weeks starts in Oxford City today and next week is our area. The new Riverly Club at Thames View, Abingdon, will be one venue. A first chance to see the newest building in Abingdon.

Town and Vale By-Elections in Abingdon 2013 – Lib-Dem Gains

In the Town and Vale by-elections in Abingdon yesterday, the Lib-Dems won the town and vale seat previously held by Peter Jones of the Conservatives.
Lorraine Oates
Lorraine Oates is the new town councillor. She got 709 votes against 515 for Conservatives and 124 for Labour.
Andrew Skinner
Andrew Skinner is the new District Councillor. He got 683 votes against 518 for Conservatives and 133 for Labour.
Jan Morter
In the central Abingdon vacancy, caused by the loss of Penny McDougall, Jan Morter of the Lib-Dems retained the seat with 719 votes against 413 for the Conservatives and 216 for Labour.

This means on Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council there are now 10 Conservatives, 9 Lib-Dems, 1 Labour, 1 Independent. So the Mayor Making next week will be very close. If the Independent and Labour candidate side with the Lib-Dems, as seems likely, then Mayor Making will revert to the old pattern where the next in line, that is Sam Bowring, becomes Mayor. But we will see then.