St Helens Wharf

The Plane trees along St Helens Wharf were cut back last autumn, and started growing back slowly. This is a before-the-flood picture taken six weeks ago.

Six weeks on, and the sun has returned for the August bank holiday. Those leaves have got going.

Peachcroft Christian Centre

Last year I watched with interest the re-development of the Peachcroft Christian Centre. It started with a church not much bigger than a Ford Ka. The bit to the right of the red Ford Ka is the original church.

The much larger building was opened back in May 2007, and so this post will be old news to most people.

There are lots of pictures of the building and opening on the peachcroftcc.org website. It is the only church website I know of in Abingdon where you can listen to mp3 sermons.

Enter The Abbey

The gateway was built around 1460 and served to divide Town (this side) from Abingdon Abbey (that).

Over the central arch can be seen the arms of Abingdon Abbey with the four birds (mythical martlets) and a cross.

At the top are four gargoyles, the rightmost one resembles a pig. Not all of the gargoyles are as old as the gateway.

As you go through the gateway you will find that there are buildings that really date back to the Abbey, and others that look like they might, but don't.

There is also a sign to the medieval gardens...

Pet's Paradise - but not children's

CD Department Closing Down SALE.

Recently closed down Toy Shop.

Traditional pet shop .... expanding.

Another even larger pet shop is on its way at Fairacres, out of town, called Pet City or Pet Supermarket or Pet Paradise or something like that.

In Memory... of the flood

One of the seats on the Ock Valley Walk that commemorates somebody who loved this walk. The tree behind is suffering an early autumn, perhaps an early end.

Glimpsing through to Meadowside: just one of the places near the Ock that got flooded.

You hear from people who will not be back in their homes until after Christmas. In some cases external walls need rebuilding as the mortar can be pierced by a screwdriver. In others, the lower floors need re-plastering and re-wiring. The wet weather is not helping them dry out.

Souvenirs of Abingdon

With Hathaways closing, there are other places where you can still get Abingdon souvenirs, including the museum, bookshops, and the Gift Centre.

The Gift Centre in the precinct currently has a window display with a range of souvenirs of Abingdon including: writing cards, mugs, tea towels, thimbles and place mats. The window display also has a selection of paintings of Abingdon by local artists (there are more upstairs in the gallery), and a new booklet, and accompanying DVD, "12 Walks around Abingdon" - containing walks in Abingdon, and surrounding villages.

Rugby Sevens Tournament

Abingdon Rugby Club holds one of the oldest Club Rugby Sevens Tournaments in England, originating in 1956, and held at the Southern Town Park. Todays tournament started at midday and went on until about six.