Encouraging Nature Along the Paths at Radley Lakes

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Martin pointed out that some recent work has been carried out along the edge of Thrupp Lake. It appears to be aimed at keeping people to the paths so that vegetation has a chance to recover and grow. At the south-west end, what looks like a hedge has been planted between the gravel path and the vehicle track to discourage people from straying off the route.

At the north-west end, a low fence now guides walkers onto a narrower route. Although there is a canopy of trees here and little currently growing beneath them, a notice explains the reason for the change:
‘Historic data shows that White Helleborine used to grow along this tree line. We’re hoping by fencing it off, this plant will start to reappear.’

The gravel path around the lakes is also more extensive than I remember and new fences have been added in places.

Meanwhile, old features from the lake’s previous life such as the old boathouse are becoming more dilapidated.

I filmed a full walk around Thrupp and Bullfield Lakes this morning using time-lapse to show just how much of the route has a gravel path. The result is like a roller-coaster ride. See
https://youtu.be/3aNWqWPfD7M

myHappymind Bronze award for Thameside Primary School

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Thameside Primary School in South Abingdon has won a Bronze Award for using the myHappymind programme. This shows that the school cares a lot about helping children feel happy and confident.

In the picture, you can see some of Thameside’s Happiness Heroes, who help other children look after themselves.

Headteacher Laura Youngman said: ‘We are really proud to get the Bronze myHappymind Award. It helps children and families learn important skills for life.’

This award shows how Thameside lives by its motto: ‘Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day.’ by helping every child both academically and emotionally.

More on the myHappymind programme: myHappymind Schools Programme.

Abingdon Artists Spring Exhibition at St Helen’s Church

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The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli, opened the Abingdon Artists Spring Exhibition at St Helen’s Church. In her remarks, the Mayor said that Abingdon has many talented artists. Many of them were present for the preview – each exhibiting up to three artworks.

Livio Lobo is pictured with his three works: Fruit of the Wine – Cheers, Fabulous Flowers Abingdon and Boxing Day MG Meet in Abingdon.

When the exhibition opened to the public on Monday, one of the first works to be sold was Fabulous Flowers Abingdon. It was bought by Gary, the owner of the Fabulous Flowers shop, who has a collection of paintings of his shop – a popular subject for artists.

One artist missed at this exhibition is Dougie Simpson, a well-known Abingdon artist who died in December 2025. A painting of Venice by Dougie was on display at the exhibition. A gathering of artists in Dougie’s honour will take place on Saturday, when they will draw and paint together.

The exhibition runs until Saturday.

All Aboard at the Abingdon Model Railway Show 2026

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Outside the entrance to the exhibition, miniature train rides were being offered by the City of Oxford Model Engineers.

Inside, the exhibition was spread across three buildings. There were more than 40 layouts on display, organised by the Abingdon and District Model Railway Club.

For some enthusiasts the fascination begins early in life and becomes a lifelong pursuit. Even for those of us who are not enthusiasts there was plenty of interest at the show.

There were also dozens of trade and other stalls. Pauline Hazelwood writes children’s books based on stories told to her by railway enthusiasts. She also has a model railway layout featuring Alice the Little Welsh Engine, from one of her books.

Some of the layouts have more going on than trains travelling. Under the arches of Blackfriars Bridge, for example, I wondered what story lay behind the man distracting the policeman.

One of the largest layouts in the Sports Hall was Dorehill St Stevens. There was a wide variety of railway trains and scenery, including a small drama between a VW Beetle and a tree, with an ambulance taking away an injured person.

Of local interest was a model of the Wantage Tramway as it was in the 1920s. The two-mile tramway closed to passengers in 1925.

The Live Steam Roadshow came to the Abingdon Model Railway Show for the first time in 2025 and has already booked to return in 2027. Their layout has been very popular because the trains are powered by real steam and visitors are welcome to have a go at driving a locomotive.

The Bottom of the Barrel model is presented inside a beer barrel and shows the brewing process at the Trent Brewery, complete with almospheric lighting.

The layout showing the cup for Best in Show was The Wolfstatt Alpine Railway, which featured some impressively long trains. As with all good layouts, the longer you looked the more there was to discover.