Argentan

Sint-Niklaas

Schongau

Lucca

Colmar

 PAST EVENTS 2026

Go to 2025 Events. See also the list of all Events since 2007, Future Events and the Newsletters.

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Evening Meeting - Would I Lie to You?

Thursday 19 March 2026 - at Preston Road Community Centre

Numbers were a bit down on this occasion as the date clashed with a very interesting talk on Abingdon’s history, nonetheless we had about 18 people and several of them had stories to tell, some of which were true and some not.

Each volunteer would tell a story, then the audience could ask questions before deciding if the story was true or not.

Stella told us how she thought she was at a celebration but in fact it was a funeral.

Dave Dodds told us how he got away with a driving offence by blinding the authorities with scientific graphs.

Pete Dodd told us how when playing cricket, two players tried to catch the ball and managed to knock themselves out.

Richard told how he got drunk with a headmaster in Schongau.

Finally, we had Mohammed, our mystery guest. Richard claimed to be his English teacher which is why his English is so appalling. Howard claimed that Mohammed was a professional footballer and Stella claimed he was some kind of care worker.

It was a great, fun evening thanks to the people who came and especially to Susan, Nikki and all the catering team.

Richard Smart

Church Twinning Barn Dance

Saturday 28 February 2026 - at Trinity Church Hall, Conduit Road

It was a fun evening. Members of Abingdon Church Twinning organised a Barn Dance in the big hall at Trinity Church Conduit Centre. It was a fund raising initiative, with all tickets successfully sold. Alan Fisher from Abingdon Baptist was the caller directing the dances, mostly to plan (though a little chaotic at times when some dancers failed to fully grasp instructions). Most importantly, the committee members from the various churches had worked hard to prepare a generous ploughman’s supper, which was much appreciated. There were plenty of raffle prizes too. It was enjoyable company and we look forward with hope for a similar event in the future.

Brian Read

Evening Meeting - The Annual Quiz

Thursday 15 January 2026 - at Preston Road Community Centre

This was vintage, twinning entertainment!

Brian Read and Peter Dodd had once again put their brains together to produce one of their challenging and entertaining quizzes – and this one was no exception and well up to their usual high standard.

The first challenge was to choose a name for their team (eight letters, a vegetable or flower). A task already proving almost too much for one group who seemed unable to count to eight, and had to change their name. While some teams were struggling with the thinking up of vegetable and flower names, and simultaneously using fingers to count out the letters, other teams set to solving a sheet of dingbats (those annoying combinations of artistically placed and sized letters and/or numbers, which can be solved to give a related word or phrase).

general knowledge, geography and even a tasting round, where contestants had to taste a variety of flavoured crisps and guess the name of the flavour – including lobster crisps, and even beef and horseradish!

To give a flavour of some of the questions:
1. Which of these towns is Sint-Niklaas nearest to – Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent? 
2. What is the motto on the Abingdon coat of arms?
3. What was the traditional industry in Argentan?
(Answers at bottom of article)

A hugely entertaining quiz, and thanks to Peter and Brian for organising it.

Thanks too, to Nikki and Susan for delicious refreshments, including mulled wine.

The winners were the Daffodil team: Nikki, Howard, Phil, Nick, Connie, Stella (photo above).

Answers to Quiz questions: 1. Antwerp  2. Faith and Industry  3. Lace Making

Nick Marsh

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