Joe Gammie reports on the launch of a new book that marks the 150th birthday of a beloved Abingdon institution

Glasses were raised in a heartfelt toast when a labour of love history book celebrating a cherished park’s 150th anniversary was launched on Sunday.

More than 100 people packed into St Michael and All Angels’ Church, in Park Road, when the 9th Earl of Abingdon, Richard Bertie, cut a commemorative cake to mark the launch of Celebrating 150 Years of Albert Park, Abingdon-on-Thames.

The book is the first history anthology dedicated to Albert Park and its centrepiece statue of Prince Albert, which was unveiled by the Earl of Abingdon’s great grandfather Montagu Bertie in 1865.

Albert Park Residents’ Association (APRA) member Bryan Brown, who came up with the idea of the book, said it was fantastic to have so many people at the launch.

He added: “Production of the book has been a community project – it has been a great pleasure to work with friends and neighbours.

“It has been a labour of love. It is an anthology written by many different authors and in many different styles.”

Mr Brown first brought up the idea for the book in March last year, and the finished anthology of articles, images and photos has work by 14 authors, 14 other contributors and images leant by 30 people.

As well as history articles about the park, the book contains pieces about the plants and trees, the growth of the town around it and information about the area’s natural history.

All the cash raised from sales will go to Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon, which owns the park, and will be invested in park improvements.

Archivist Jackie Smith opens the book by describing the development of the park and its surrounding houses, while botanist John Killick gives an illustrated monthly guide to its flowers and fungi and arboriculturist Simon Ringrose identifies its trees.

APRA chairwoman Susan Williams said: “It is just a delightful anthology of Albert Park and its last 150 years.

“It’s written by local people who love it but it also includes the history of how first came about and the homes and other buildings grew up around it.

“It has absolutely something for everyone.”

The book can be ordered for £12.50 by emailing albertparkra@gmail.com or from certain shops in Abingdon.