Cycle to Recycle - Radley Lake

The message of today's protest event was that the rest of us recycle our waste, and nPower should do the same.

Supporters of Save Radley Lakes stopped to bird watch as they went past.

Work started here last Monday to prepare the lake to be drained and filled with fly-ash. nPower have widened the cycle path to allow a cycle path diversion.

Rugby World Cup

England play South Africa tonight. The Cross Keys have both the flags, and a few more beside. It hasn't been the best of starts for champions England (what with injuries and a none too convincing win against the USA in the first group match), so hopes are not high for the game against the Boks.

Extraordinary Council Meeting - Floods

An extraordinary meeting of the District Council was called to discuss flooding.

As it was a Council meeting, the public could only participate if they had pre-arranged to speak or ask questions. Six had, and most of the words came from councillors. Of those speaking before one lady Lucy Hutton complained that there were no sandbags until afterwards, and little warning. Mike Badcock compalined about the time taken to collect spoilt furniture from houses. Campaigners from Radley lakes saw the filling of the lake as reducing the flood plain further.

We heard from councillors how other villages, and towns had been affected and coped. Traffic was diverted with little overall control. Four by fours drove through creating waves into houses. One village had serious floods 24 years ago, but this time things were improved, having kept their culverts and ditches clear. They suffered no flooded houses. Other councillors spoke of the 'underfunded' Environment Agency not having the resources to fulfil their role and keep waterways clear. But they called for sensitivity: clearing watercourses upstream could just make things worse for Abingdon downstream.


A Councillor from, Turbeville Close, Abingdon - pictured above - who had been severely flooded spoke of going to bed having studied the flood warnings, satisfied things were safe, only to be woken to flooding from the Ock at 4 in the morning.

It was announced that there will be a real public meeting on 16th November. By then hopefully the report from the Environment Agency will be complete.

Abingdon Landlords - Robin and Mellie

Landlord and Landlady: Robin and Mellie
Public House: Broad Face
Location: Bridge Street, Town Centre

Southern Town BMX Park

This area was fenced off as a BMX track about eight years ago. The shelter and seats were added, and young people and parents added piles of earth to create mounds round the circuit. It is not that well used, but is a long way away from anything.

Jazz at the Anchor

Once a month, on a Sunday evening, the Old Anchor Inn has a jazz session. It is usually Dorothy and friends.

This Sunday: Paul played bass acoustic guitar, Dorothy keyboard, and the well known George Haslam baritone sax. Here they are at the end of the evening's jazz.

Fun in the Park

Good weather and a full program made for a good Fun in The Park. Just a few quick pictures:

Jazz dance...

Ti Chi...

All comers could have a go at the Highland Fling...

and Finally... the kids beat the dads at Tug-a-war.

Radley Lakes Swim

Having just swum the English Channel, Angus McChesney swam along the River Thames through Abingdon to show support for the Save Radley Lakes campaign.

On 23rd September there will be a 10 KM run to raise money and awareness for Radley Lakes.

Boundary Walk

Today there was a boundary walk, where people walk the original Abingdon Borough boundary granted by the Royal Charter in 1556. At the Wharf the walkers met a barge stag party having a picnic. The groom-to-be was given the chance to ring the bell and shout 'long live Abingdon'.