The Runaway Fair

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The Runaway Fair
A week after the Michaelmas Fair the High Street is closed again for the traditional Runaway Fair. This is one of two annual Abingdon events that divert the 35 bus (and the X2 X3… ) down East St Helen Street and up West St Helen Street.

Can you name the other?
The Runaway Fair
In the days when people looked for employment at fairs the Runaway Fair was the chance to escape a bad employer taken on at the Michaelmas Fair, and try to find another.
The Runaway Fair
During the Michaelmas Fair,  last week, the Tattoo Parlour on High Street was doing a lively trade late into the evenings. They have not attempted to stay open late for the Runaway Fair.
The Runaway Fair
Nowadays the runaway fair has children’s rides and amusements that carry on through the afternoon and early evening.

Abingdon Marathon – The Pack

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Abingdon Marathon - Everybody Else
Mike Scholes, from Haywards Heath Harriers, aged 58 and nearly blind, ran 3 hrs 13 in the marathon today. Here he is going down East St Helen Street with his guide.
Abingdon Marathon - Everybody Else
Then along St Helen’s Wharf. Thumbs up to the camera from 483 (I think) Richard Stones of Black Country Triathletes, who finished in 4 hrs 14 with 782 Darren Gillman of Spa Striders who finished in 3 hrs 39.
Abingdon Marathon - Everybody Else
Mick n Phil Marathon Lads were running as they do most years. They are easy to recognise. Visit their website to find out more.
Abingdon Marathon - Everybody Else
First time we have been honoured with a Roman Emporer running the Abingdon Marathon. 1174 is Julius Ceasar I believe.
Abingdon Marathon - Everybody Else
These youngsters were offering cakes.

Amber Phillpott lost her battle with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at just 18 months old. James Phillpott (Ambers father), and good friend Justin Marah were running the marathon to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphona Research.  They both did it in 5 hrs 44. Near the bottom of Preston Road there was a lively garden party, with family and friends – and cakes on offer. I must see if I have any pictures of James and Justin (83 and 1123)
Abingdon Marathon - Everybody Else
There were a lot of marshalls on duty doing a fantastic job. The Marathon was complicated by the Runaway Fair being set up at the same time. The start time was brought forward to 8:45 as a result.

Abingdon Marathon – the leading men

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Abingdon Marathon - Leading Men
10 seconds into the race and last years winner Colin Paton had the lead.
Abingdon Marathon - Leading Men
At the Abbey Gateway, after about five miles, there was a leading group of three … 646: James Pearson from Beverley AC, 464: Stephen Male from Oxford City AC, and 89: James Bolton of Woodstock Harriers.
Abingdon Marathon - Leading Men
At about the half way point 464 and 646 had built up a lead over the following runners.
Abingdon Marathon - Leading Men
24 miles into the race 464 and 646 were still running together up West St Helen Street.
Abingdon Marathon - Leading Men
They were still running together back onto the Tilsley Park athletic track, but then Stephen Male pulled away, and finished with 2 hrs 31.
Abingdon Marathon - Leading Men
The first Abingdon Amblers AC athlete to cross the line had an amazing time of 2 hrs 36.
Abingdon Marathon - Leading Men
Here he is at the halfway point: Paul Fernandez. I think he finished third but am a bit worried I missed somebody in the 5 minute gap between 2nd and 3rd.

Apple Day – at South Abingdon Children’s Centre

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Apple Day
Nicola Blackwood, MP for Abingdon, and Mike Badcock, Mayor of Abingdon, were there at the Apple Day run by Abingdon Carbon Cutters, and the South Abingdon Children’s Centre.
Apple Day
Nicola planted a representative tree as a symbolic start for a future orchard and forest at Caldecott School.
Apple Day
There were a number of stalls at the event… Ruth Ward was there with her book ‘A Harvest of Apples’ and a display of lots of different sorts of apples. As well as apple folklore, and history, her book contains lots of apple recipes.
Apple Day
There was Grow Your Own Allotment advice, from a lady who runs some training allotments on Peachcroft farm. Email on the board in the picture (gyoveg at hotmail.com). And there was a representative from Drayton Road Allotments.
Apple Day
There was Abingdon honey for sale from Virginia Arnott, beekeeper of Abingdon (v.arnott at ntlworld.com.) You can also get Abingdon honey from Radley Road bees – on sale at Added Ingredients, for they were there too.
Apple Day
But the main business of the day was apples…
Apple Day
juicing them
Apple Day
and drinking the juice. TV cameras, for BBC Local News, were there too and here is the link to the video story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15327064 saying how the people of Abingdon wanted to reintroduce more Heritage apples with a community orchard .