Fallen Branches and Young Tree Loss in Abbey Meadows

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Thanks to Tim for his observations about tree damage from June 4th.

There are contractors in Abbey Meadows again today removing branches and boughs that have fallen, or are at risk of falling, from poplar trees alongside the river. This is not the first time recently that work of this kind has been carried out in the area.

The breaks do not appear to show obvious signs of rot or disease. The explanation given by Tim is that recent periods of very wet weather followed by warmer conditions have contributed to stress in some trees, affecting branch strength. Poplar is a relatively fast-growing hardwood known for being lighter and more brittle than many native species.

Poplar timber is used for a range of purposes, including matchsticks, packaging materials, plywood, and baskets, and it can be processed into thin strips for various light construction uses.

Tim suggests this illustrates some of the pressures that more variable weather patterns can place on certain tree species.

Meanwhile, other newly planted trees are dying, possibly due to a lack of sufficient ongoing care after planting.

A walk along the lane from Rye Farm Car Park

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A walk along the lane from Rye Farm Car Park offered two very different moods: yesterday evening brought clear light and sunshine and a rainbow, while today’s visit came under grey skies after rain.

After the car park, there is a huge field on the right that appears to be planted with beans, possibly broad beans. The dense green crop stretches across the whole field.

On the left, beyond Rye Farm Meadow, is a smaller meadow where the grass and wildflowers grow tall. There stands Kingfisher Barn, in its grounds.

The web-spinning caterpillars that have stripped hedges along this lane in some recent years seem less widespread this summer – so far.

Beyond the bean field is a meadow filled with sheep. Their baaing could be heard from some distance. Close-up baas range from low growls to high-pitched bleats. Most of the sheep were grazing, but a few had stretched their necks through the square-wire fence,

or used the fence as a ladder to reach the more luxuriant leaves above.

Opposite is another meadow where piles of logs lie among the grass, the trunks of trees that were cut near the River Thames earlier this year.

Yesterday there was a rainbow.

Today there were slugs after the rain.

Ten Days to Go: The Mayor of Ock Street Election

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With just ten days to go until the Mayor of Ock Street election on Saturday 20 June, a display in the window of FatFace profiles the two candidates.

They are the same two candidates who contested last year’s election, but their roles have been reversed. Last year’s Mayor is now the challenger, while last year’s challenger is the incumbent.

The big question is whether they will swap positions once again when the votes are counted. Pictured is Rob, the outgoing Mayor, congratulating Harry, the incoming Mayor, in 2025.

Rob Charlton
Aged 52, Rob is a lecturer at Abingdon and Witney College and was elected Mayor of Ock Street in 2024. He moved to Abingdon on his boat because he needed somewhere to moor, and more than 20 years later, he is still here! Uniquely, he has been lead dancer for both Abingdon Traditional Morris sides and would like both sides to continue because Abingdon loves a good rivalry. Rob created the last original dance in the Abingdon repertoire for the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, first performed at the Abingdon bun throwing in 2012. He can also be heard playing fiddle, mandolin, and other instruments during processions and music sessions.

Harry Knight
Aged 76 (last week), Harry is an Abingdonian by adoption and was first elected Mayor of Ock Street in 2014 – a position he has held several times since. He moved to Abingdon 52 years ago and joined the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers in 1976. For many years, he lived and worked on Ock Street as a funeral director. He is one of the side’s melodeon players and has held the office of Bagman for some time. He was Lead Dancer the last time the Morris performed at the Royal Albert Hall and still enjoys “Constant Billy,” the most energetic Abingdon dance. His son, Daniel, has also danced with the side.

Residents of Ock Street (and its side streets), along with members of the Morris sides, are eligible to vote. But anybody can watch.

The day will also include dancing throughout the day by The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers and two guest teams:  Oxford City and University, and Summertown. The election result will be declared soon after 4 pm at the Brewery Tap.

St Helen’s Wharf closure and Lane Rental Charges

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Work started this morning (9 June) beside St Helen’s Church. As a result, there was no through traffic along St Helen’s Wharf, and manned traffic lights were operating at the Iron Bridge to allow residents access in and out of the area.

The work was being carried out on behalf of Openreach and is likely to have been connected with improvements to the broadband network.

Residents living nearby, who experienced disruption from the gas mains works earlier this year, questioned why the two projects could not have been coordinated. However, the work was completed more quickly than expected. By this evening, the channel linking two BT access covers had been tarmacked over and the road had reopened. Road signs had warned of a 5 day closure and it appears to have been 1 day.
Oxfordshire County Council has introduced a Lane Rental Scheme to help reduce disruption from roadworks. More details can be found at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/lane-rental-scheme.

Under the scheme, charges of up to £2,500 per day can be applied for works on designated Lane Rental Streets during traffic-sensitive periods. From the published map, St Helen’s Wharf is covered by the scheme, giving contractors a financial incentive to complete the work as quickly as possible.

The scheme was not in operation during the much longer gas mains project. Had it been, Oxfordshire County Council might have collected a decent amount in lane rental charges.