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September 30th: After Visiting the lovely old town of Lexington and enjoying a delightful scenic drive through the
Blue Ridge Parkway, we arrived in Abingdon Virginia just after 8 pm.
We were warmly greeted by our hosts, who had been waiting outside the Town Hall, and then we all dispersed to various homes and other venues.
October 1st: The Twinning Society was invited to brunch by the Mayor of Abingdon, Virginia, and members of their Council.
This was an opportunity to chat to the folks of the town, many of whom were hosting members of our group.
Then followed a visit to the Star Museum, an amazing collection of memorabilia from the golden age of Hollywood from the 30’s until recent times.
The manager there had made the collection his life-long hobby and had met many of the stars of yesteryear.
Later, Al Bradley took us on a walking tour of the old town followed by a visit to the Barter Theatre.
This lovely theatre has a most interesting history in that it was established in the early 30’s but very soon the world was experiencing the Depression.
Therefore, to keep the theatre going, artists were paid in kind, food and accommodation, rather than money and terms were bartered.
It is now the State Theatre of Virginia and very well known throughout America and most parts of the world.
Dinner was enjoyed at The Tavern followed by a Ghost Tour, the storyteller relating some fascinating tales.
A very full first day in Abingdon.
October 2nd: A drive into the pretty countryside to visit an old working mill dating back to the time of George Washington.
Next a return to the town to visit the Fields-Penn House, a lovely old manor house with the original furniture.
Lunch-time we travelled to the Mustering Grounds, a hallowed area with a special place in American history.
A BBQ lunch was served in a large marquee.
Many of the group enjoyed a cycle ride through the Virginia Creeper Trail,
while others were invited to visit a retirement village, which was very attractive and well planned.
We then visited a local winery.
October 3rd: A happy morning at the Watauga elementary school.
We were invited to look round the classrooms and talk to the children.
Then we enjoyed the delightful singing of the school choir, called The Wild Cats,
all looking great in their blue tops with a tiger printed on the reverse.
On to the William Kings Arts Center to see some beautifully made local furniture
followed by a presentation at the Washington County Administrative Offices on present and future development of industry/business
within Washington County.
The Mayor’s family kindly invited us all to their lovely home for a cocktail party, followed by a dance at the local further education institute.
October 4th: Breakfast with Mr. Rick Boucher, the congressman for Virginia at the Barter Theatre restaurant.
A trip to the local Farmer’s Market
followed by lunch at the Fire Station to celebrate the renaming of the building after two former Fire Chiefs.
Also a display of the Fire equipment.
Then on to the Emory and Henry College to see an American football inter-college match (rather different from our football).
It was fun although we didn’t understand all the rules.
October 5th: A Civic Church Service was attended by most of the group, the others attending services at other local churches.
In the afternoon we went to an excellent performance of Beauty and the Beast at the Barter Theatre.
Dinner followed at the Martha Washington Hotel where speeches and presentations were given by the Mayor of Abingdon, Virginia
and by our own Mayor, Pat Lonergan.
The organisers of the trip, Stella and Garrett also gave speeches and exchanged gifts,
and further speeches were given by the Town Manager and the Attorney General for the state of Virginia.
This was a very memorable evening.
October 6th: Early morning, we bade farewell to our lovely hosts and townsfolk, and the Mayor gave our Mayor a symbolic presentation key to the town.
The group were treated as VIP’s throughout their stay and we experienced such kind hospitality; the folks there could not have done more for us.
We all feel we have made new friends across the Atlantic and look forward to welcoming them to Oxfordshire, perhaps in 2009.
We then travelled to Charlottesville visiting Monticello the home of Thomas Jefferson on the way,
and the next day we visited Jamestown, the establishment of the first permanent English settlement in North America 400 years ago.
Our last three days were spent in Washington where we visited the White House, Capitol Building
and the Library of Congress, a fascinating city and very beautiful.
Eileen Poole
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