Fun in the Park


Temperatures were down a few degrees after yesterdays high of 35 degrees. In the Abbey Gardens, there was Fun in the Park.

One new feature this year was the collection of barrels, tables and seating provided by Oxford Wood Recycling, giving people more places to sit at Fun in the Park and Music in the Park that followed.

After seeing many people swimming in the River Thames over recent days, it was interesting to meet volunteers from the RNLI, who were promoting water safety and their Float to Live campaign. Their advice for anyone who gets into difficulty in the water is not to thrash about, lean back, relax, control your breathing, and stay afloat until you can get help or reach safety. Above all, however, they advise against swimming in the river or swimming alone.

Another group helping people to enjoy the river safely are the Kingfisher Canoe Club.

There were also many local organisations with activities and information aimed at children and young people.

Meanwhile, on the stage, performers kept people entertained. Pictured here are the K-Pop Superstars. They appeared popular with younger members of the audience.

Later in the day, the music continued at Music in the Park, but having to be at another event, I’m afraid I did not cover that event this year, apart from a picture taken while passing from over the wall.

Kings Pharmacy Coming to Bury Street


The former Jhoots Pharmacy at 19 Bury Street, which was taken over by Allied Pharmacies following Jhoots’ administration last year, has reopened. A notice in the window announces: “Under New Management – Kings Pharmacy from 10 July”. The Allied Pharmacies website still lists the branch as Allied Pharmacy, but the notice suggests a change is in progress.

Lodge Hill – All Changed again


Since my last visit, the junction has been changed to allow work on the roundabouts and new slip lanes to continue.

The northbound A34 slip road towards Oxford has now been closed, with traffic diverted via Hinksey Hill either to reach Oxford or to join the A34 at the Hinksey Hill interchange. Traffic approaching from the Hinksey Hill direction can no longer continue directly along Oxford Road towards the junction.

The A34 slip road from Oxford towards Abingdon now allows only a left turn. Anyone wishing to travel to Sunningwell or Boars Hill must continue down to Peachcroft Roundabout before returning north along Oxford Road.

The new southbound slip road has also taken shape, seen here from Lodge Hill.

Or here, viewed from the Sunningwell footbridge over the A34.

The junction changes are only temporary restrictions.

Abingdon in the Heat: a brief report from another hot day


This morning the sun shone and there were no clouds to shade its brilliance.

Town council staff were out early in the Market Place, giving the hanging baskets much-needed water. On a day like this, hydration wasn’t just important for plants, but for the town’s people too.

The Climate Emergency Centre opened, unusually on Tuesday and Wednesday, to offer the use of the cool basement space below the museum, where people could have a drink of water,

Most state schools closed for the afternoon and are expected to close tomorrow afternoon as temperatures remain high.

Some people headed to the River Thames, with paddle boards and canoes. The open-air pool was busy, and other people relaxed by the river bank.

Temperatures reached around 34°C today in Abingdon, with another hot day forecast for tomorrow. The hottest June temperature ever recorded in the UK happened today. It was 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire

Looking ahead, the forecast suggests the heat will continue through Thursday before any change.