Plastic Free July

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Members of Abingdon Cuts Plastic, part of Abingdon Carbon Cutters, were in the Market Place this Friday encouraging people to take part in Plastic Free July by making a simple pledge to reduce their use of single-use plastics.

Visitors were invited to choose one small change to make. Suggestions included carrying a reusable water bottle or coffee cup, buying fruit and vegetables loose rather than wrapped in plastic, or swapping cling film for reusable containers.

Other ideas included trying shampoo bars, choosing paper-wrapped toilet rolls, using refill stations for household cleaning products and switching to plastic-free tea bags or loose tea leaves.

The group highlighted that household cleaners such as washing-up liquid, laundry liquid and toilet cleaner can be refilled locally at the refill station at Oxford Wood Recycling.

The aim is to reduce plastic waste and keep unnecessary plastic out of rivers, seas and the wider environment. If you look at the campaign website ( https://abingdoncarboncutters.org.uk/what/abingdon-cuts-plastic/ ) you will see it was first launched in 2018, thanks to Anne Smart, and they are giving it a new push. There is an up to date 2026 Plastics leaflet under the campaign website.

Flags Disappear from Saxton Road and Marcham Road

What’s On in Abingdon – Early July

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July gets off to a busy start in Abingdon, with community fairs, charity events, a book launch, exhibitions and a butchers will open.

Friday 3 July sees the start of Plastic Free July activities in the town, with a market stall in the Market Place from 10am to 1pm promoting ways to reduce single-use plastics through the themes of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

On Saturday 4 July, Paint Abingdon Pink returns to the Market Place from 10am until 3pm, with entertainment, food and activities raising funds for Against Breast Cancer. Entry is free.

Also on Saturday afternoon, Thameside Primary School Summer Fair takes place from 12 noon until 3pm, with games, stalls, a raffle, tombola, sweets, prizes and plenty of family fun.

On Thursday 9 July, local history enthusiasts can attend the launch of “England’s Oldest Town? The Archaeology of Abingdon” by Roger Thomas. The event runs from 7pm to 9pm at St Helen’s Church.

Saturday 11 July is a big day in the town. Brown’s Traditional Butchers will officially open.

Also on 11 July, the South Abingdon Play and Activity Day takes place at Ladygrove Meadow, Drayton Road, from 11am until 3pm. The free event includes activities such as giant bubbles, go-karts, Bright Sparks Science, body zorbing, bike-based games and creative workshops. This event used to take part in Southern Town Parks but since the Vale of White Horse District Council want to charge £500 to arrange the event there, the event will be on Town Council land who do not charge. Or that is what I heard.

At the same time, the Oxfordshire Mind Art Exhibition will be open from 11am until 2pm at Abingdon Hub in The Charter. Visitors can view artwork created by members of Oxfordshire Mind’s art group.

Also starting on 11th July, the UK’s only floating puppet theatre will start their shows which run to 9th August in their converted barge by the open air pool.

Abbey Millstream Through the Year: June 2026

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The Abbey Millstream is far more overgrown than it used to be. Swans now have to clamber over fallen trees and find a way through the reeds as they make their way from the weir towards the Abbey Gardens. While the vegetation makes life more difficult for the larger birds, it also provides plenty of dead branches as perches.

Sometimes the combinations of birds are unexpected, such as this heron sharing a perch with a group of ducks.

Or this wood pigeon alongside a young pied wagtail.

Another perching bird is the kingfisher. I spotted one this evening, but almost as soon as it landed it was gone in a flash of blue before I could get a better photograph. I saw it perch again a little further along, but this time it disappeared before I could even raise the camera. Even so, it was beautiful to see.

There was also a pair of collared doves perched beside the stream today. This is one of them.

When the light catches the water at the right angle, fish can be seen swimming beneath the surface.

The insect life has also been thriving. One of the most colourful visitors I came across was this Scarlet Tiger Moth.

There are some ducklings, though not as many as you might expect given the number of ducks. The moorhens seem to have had more success, with several young birds around.
The swans have not produced any cygnets this year, at least not so far. I’m not sure why that should be.

A succession of wild flowers has brightened the banks throughout the month. One of the sweetest-scented is meadowsweet.

Back in May I reported the blackberry blossom. On the last day of June the first blackberry had already appeared.