This tree shows signs of trauma.

It is to be found beneath a Motte – the remains of a medieaval Motte and Bailey, on the Fitzharry’s estate. Its an interesting wooded area in the middle of an Abingdon housing estate. Children ride bikes up the Motte.

The hole goes right through to high up on the other side of the tree so you can look through. Such holes build up over time whether through water, disease, or infestation.

I went to investigate a report from the Tithe Farm and Ladygrove Newsletter – December 2007. It read “… there are an alarming number of potholes and cracks in the road surfaces. The ones in Mill Road have now white lines marked around them. This may mean

a) They are about to be repaired
b) Once the council has marked them, they are no longer liable if someone has an accident
c) They have been designated a tourist attraction…“

When I got to Mill Road the tourist attraction had been removed. But as you can see from the first picture there are still ones to be seen in Exbourne Road.

Councillor Martin Smith conducted the Walk round the 1556 Abingdon boundaries, aided and abetted by the town crier and other aides.

It started sensibly enough at the Market Place.

Then went along by the Ock Valley walk. Modern day bicycles were left padlocked behind at this point.

Martin Smith read out the route from the 1556 charter:

“…where the said little stream of the Ock falls unto the Thames as aforesaid, and from thence by and through the aforesaid little Stream of the Ock including the same little stream unto the aforesaid Bridge of the Ock called the Ock Bridge, and….”

During this ancient walk, we did loose our 21st century road sense at times.

“… and from thence by and through another publick way a little turning towards the North untill you come to a certain Crooked little Ditch inclining towards the East, which said little Ditch together with the aforesaid publick way…“

The walk ended over the weir beside the lock keepers cottage.

“…the Borough shall extend and stretch itselfe from the Locks aforesaid, called the Abbey Locks, through the whole River Thames, including the same River unto the Bridge called the New Bridge built upon and over the said River of Thames…. and from thence by and through…”

This is one of the – old style – baby swings as found in the play park at Ladygrove Meadow.

This is one of the – next level – baby swings as found at Caldecott Rec.

1. It has a system to stop vandals wrapping it over the top
2. The chains are shorter
3. The seat is deeper

I remember learning to swing. I reckon it would be more difficult to learn with the new style swing. So is that progress?