Monthly Archives: August 2016

View of Abingdon Bridge from the Old Gaol Garden

Old Gaol Garden
Somebody commented that the Old Gaol Gardens are now open, and so I went through the gate at the side and had a walk round.
Old Gaol Garden
The gardens will be used for the medieval foot tournament on Heritage Day. The battling knights will have a softer landing there than on the Market Place, and their squires will be able to pitch tents on the grass.

Ten Cygnets in Abingdon

Ten Cygnets in Abingdon
A swan family was on the Mill Stream yesterday
Ten Cygnets in Abingdon
with six cygnets.
Ten Cygnets in Abingdon
The day before yesterday there were another four cygnets, with parents nearby, on the St Helen’s slipway.

None of them had been ringed by the swan uppers at the start of the school holidays. My blog report about a decline in swan numbers, based on Swan Upping catches, could have got it wrong.

August Bank Holiday by the River Thames in Abingdon

August Bank Holiday
On August Bank Holiday the sun was out and so were the crowds by the River Thames in Abingdon. The pool and splash pad area were crowded.
August Bank Holiday
There were lots of people down at Abingdon Lock watching the boats come and go.
August Bank Holiday
A continuous stream of people crossed the weir both ways. At times people with bikes or buggies had to wait until the oncoming bikes or buggies had crossed. So riverside walks were well used.

The playground was packed. There were a few people playing pitch and putt, and even more playing crazy golf.
August Bank Holiday
Only empty place was the tennis court.
August Bank Holiday
A consultation with community groups and school children showed how they valued the riverside facilities in November 2014.

The last three ranked facilities are likely to be chopped by the Vale of White Horse District Council when they revamp the area. The crazy golf and tennis courts will become a larger play area. I have not heard what is planned for the pitch and putt.

Slimming World and Heritage Open Day were on the Market Place this Saturday

Slimming World
There were two gazebos on the Market Place this Saturday. One with red and white balloons, and one with pink and blue balloons.. There was Slimming World with Kevin. Kevin has lost 5 stone himself and so wants to support others who want to loose weight. He is fairly rare in being a male slimming consultant.
HODS
Hester, Ruth, and me had the stall to let people know about the Medieval Festival, and Heritage Open Day on September 10th.
HODS
We met lots of interesting people including the Deputy Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Councillor Jan Morter, her escort, and Duncan Brown. Duncan was the Mayor a few years ago, and has started his own website and blog called The Civic Coach where he gives training and helps Councillors and Mayors to be the best civic dignitary that they can be.
HODS
We had a good morning giving out leaflets, and catching up on local news. Then thunder clouds darkened the skies, and rained heavily on anybody standing in the open.