Author Archives: Backstreeter

Abingdon Sinkhole Sealed Ahead of Schedule

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A sinkhole that appeared in Abingdon on Friday 13 June has been repaired within four working days. Traffic flow through the town, which had been disrupted due to temporary traffic management, returned to normal on Thursday 19 June, earlier than the expected completion date of Friday 20 June.

The hole was reported by a member of the public on Friday evening. An on-call team from Oxfordshire County Council’s principal highways contractor, M Group, discovered that the hole was over 1.2 metres deep and showing widening cracks. They immediately made the area safe, erecting barriers and signs to alert public to the hole. To reduce risk of traffic vibrations worsening the hole, two-way traffic lights were put in place to ensure public safety.

A technical inspection on Monday 16 June showed no clear cause of the sinkhole. Highways teams worked over a four-day period to repair the hole and to install new kerbing and added a ‘fluted’ channel to divert surface water from the footway to reduce the risk of further damage.

While working on the site the team discovered a horse’s jawbone and tooth, believed to have been there for over 100 years.

Thanks to Marc from Oxfordshire County Council for the update and images.

Election of the Mayor of Ock Street 2025

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The annual election of the Mayor of Ock Street took place today in Abingdon, hosted by the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. As ever, the event drew crowds.

There was dancing at various locations around town. The morning was overcast and humid. A lunchtime shower gave way to sunshine later in the day.

This year’s visiting teams included new friends, Chiltern Hundreds NW Morris,

and old friends, Bampton Traditional Morris Men.

Two familiar names stood for election: Rob Charlton, who served as Mayor last year, and Harry Knight, who has held the title several times in the past decade.

It is the only day in the year when the original Ox Horns are on display. At others times a replica is used. It is also the only day when the Coopers Tavern opens, thanks to Pam and Alick, who give out free drinks.

Residents and workers of Ock Street, and its tributary streets, and Morris Dancers had a vote.

A town crier introduced the dancers.

When the ballots were counted, Rob Charlton had received 115 votes, while Harry Knight received 146 — a large turnout. Rob congratulated Harry on his win.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli, presented Harry Knight with the sash, sword, goblet, and hat of office. Harry Knight thanked the visiting teams and several people by name who had helped in the event including Mac who organised the event.

The newly elected Mayor of Ock Street was then paraded in a sedan chair made from scaffold poles, followed by more dancing along Ock Street.

Up with the sun

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In Abingdon (and Stone Henge), the earliest sunrise happens about a week before the longest days of 20th and 21st of June.  The latest sunset happens about a week after. The Earth is tilted as it goes around the Sun, and its path is oval-shaped. Sunrises and sunsets are not synchronised.

Depending on where you are, the Sun will not be visible right away anyway.

This week also brought another seasonal change. The fishing closed season, which runs from March 15th to June 15th, has ended. Rods are out again as fishers return. One was up with the sun.

A Hot Day in Abingdon

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It was a hot day with temperatures up to 32°C. Not a cloud in the sky.

The hole in Bridge Street was filled in yesterday and tarmacked today, with the temporary traffic lights now removed – to the relief of drivers.

At Abbey Meadow, the open-air pool was brightened by sun umbrellas and people with beach towels.

Over by the splash pad, children ran screaming through the fountains of water

The town began to have a holiday feel.