New Sewer Route at Peachcroft Roundabout

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Work has been underway again at Peachcroft Roundabout (since the start of June), with four-way temporary traffic lights causing hold-ups for motorists. According to information on one.network, the current phase involves the installation of a foul sewer connection. This sewer is needed before the roundabout improvement scheme can be completed. The scheme includes a new left-turn lane that will allow traffic heading towards Lodge Hill to bypass the roundabout.

Many people will remember that work began on the new sewer last year, and traffic lights caused delays then, only for progress to stall and much of the site to be cleared.

Progress was held up by a combination of legal complications, approvals, the discovery of unknown underground pipes, and subsequent redesigns to the sewer network.

The latest redesign of the sewer attempts to avoid conflicts with existing underground pipes, allowing work to move forward once again.

Completion of both the sewer works and the roundabout improvements is required under planning agreements linked to the North Abingdon development. Until the improvements are delivered, restrictions remain on the occupation of homes on the development.

Midsummer’s Day at St Ethelwolds

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It was Midsummer’s Day and, as part of an annual tradition, tea, coffee, and cakes were served in the garden at St Ethelwold’s House. The sun shone.

It was also World Music Day, and several musicians from Make Music Abingdon were in the garden playing and improvising. The sun shone.

Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers – Election of the Mayor of Ock Street

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The annual election of the Mayor of Ock Street took place today in Abingdon-on-Thames. The Mayor leads the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, and the election is traditionally held on the Saturday nearest to 19 June.

The day began with the polling boxes being placed outside the Brewery Tap. All residents and workers of Ock Street and its side streets, together with all Morris dancers, are entitled to vote.

The dancers and their followers processed between the various venues, beginning at the Brewery Tap. By the time they reached the Abbey Gateway they were ahead of schedule (something almost unheard of). However, rain at the Broad Face soon restored normal service, and slowed progress.

Three Morris sides took part in the day’s celebrations: the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers,

Summertown Morris,

and Oxford City and University Morris.

A very good lunch was provided at St Ethelwold’s House, where hats were piled high in traditional Morris fashion.

The teams then visited Cooper’s Tavern, which opens for just one hour each year for this very occasion, where they danced for their beer, generously provided thanks to Pam and Aleck.

Voting continued throughout the day, with the Morris dancers and former dancers being the last to cast their ballots.

The two candidates were Rob Charlton, Mayor of Ock Street from 2024 to 2025,

and Harry Knight, who has now served as Mayor of Ock Street on ten occasions. Harry Knight was elected once again.

The result was announced by Stuart Jackson, President of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Andrew Skinner, congratulated the winner and presented him with the sash, swords and cup of office.

The Morris dancers then chaired Harry Knight along Ock Street.

The celebrations continued with more Morris dancing, and in one dance Harry Knight was lifted high off the ground by the dancers.

Abbey Pool Opening

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The Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool is now open, just in time for a spell of warmer weather. With the sunshine returning today, people were already making the most of it and enjoying a swim and sun bathe.

I wasn’t able to go inside to take photographs, but nearby Sally from the Carbon Cutters and a colleague were busy planting and watering the Edible Abingdon plot beside the pool. Behind them, if you look carefully, you can just glimpse a lifeguard on duty and swimmers in the pool.

The pool’s opening times will remain weather dependent. Staff have been hard at work over the past week or so getting everything ready for the new season.