Author Archives: Backstreeter

Abbey Cinema, Library, and Big Issue

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Abingdon
The Abbey Cinema is open and showing films. This evening was the last showing of the blockbuster Tenet. The next films to appear will be the special features: David Attenborough: A Life on our Planet and Three Tenors: Voices for Eternity.
Abingdon
Circling above Abingdon town centre at around midday, today, there was a helicopter.

I was entering the library at that time and it made it difficult to hear – especially with face coverings.

I raved, to the lady outside the door, about the book I was returning. I  dropped it in the box with the other returned books. I then used the hand sanitiser. Some landed on my hands and some spurted onto the floor.

The lady at the main desk then asked whether I wanted to read anymore by the author I had mentioned. Despite the helicopter, she had overheard. She looked on the system and found another book by that author, on the shelves, at 823.
Abingdon<
This coming Wednesday, the theme for the Abingdon Share a Poem group is Autumn. In the same shelf as 823 was 821 – Poetry. So one thing led to another and I found some good books and checked them out with the self service system. Outside I took a picture of fallen leaves.

I have not seen the Big Issue lady for some time but she was there, today, next to the mother and child statue. My wife thought the helicopter had been looking for a missing six year old who had been found.

Healthy Abingdon Walks

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Healthy Walks - Abingdon
Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. It can also help you get to know more of Abingdon. Healthy Abingdon have started putting together some interesting walks around the town. The idea behind the walks are the exercise walks people have been taking since the Coronavirus crisis started. Currently there are five available at http://www.healthyabingdon.org.uk/walks.htm and they are are asking people to create more.

Tree branch falls in Bath Street

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Tree bits dropping off in Fitzharrys estate
Ben sent me a picture of a branch that fell off a tree in Bath Street. He says, ” It fell blocking the entrance to the footpath into the Fitzharrys estate. It is NOT the entire tree, whatever the Oxford Mail might say. No one was hurt, fortunately.”

When I went to investigate the branch had been removed, and the Horse Chestnut tree from which it came was still standing.
Tree bits dropping off in Fitzharrys estate
A lady saw me taking pictures and asked if I was from the Council, because branches did drop off the tall trees. She pointed out this Lime Tree.
Tree bits dropping off in Fitzharrys estate
She also mentioned some tall redwoods near houses, that she said were leaning. I said I was not from the council, but I could report her worries on my blog.

These mature trees are left from the Fitzharrys House grounds. The house was demolished in 1953 and the current ‘modern’ houses added.

Local Excellence Market on the Market Place – Covid-19 restrictions are increased

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New and Repaired Bike Racks
There was a Local Excellence Market on the Market Place in Abingdon today. Waterfahl were busking in the sun.
New and Repaired Bike Racks
The Market had a lot of stalls, and people were looking around, many with face coverings.

A lot of new rules have been introduced this week as the transmission rate of Coronavirus rises.  Since June there has been an easing of the COVID-19 restrictions and this week saw them being tightened up again as we head into autumn.
New and Repaired Bike Racks
Anybody going into Pablos Lounge will have to wear a mask from door to table, and try to order from the table using a phone app, and check in with test and trace.

Shop staff and serving staff are now all wearing face coverings – not just customers.
New and Repaired Bike Racks
A NHS COVID-19 app has been released and you can now scan a QR code when going into The Narrows, and many other places, as a record for test and trace.
New and Repaired Bike Racks
In pubs there is now only table service with groups of only up to six allowed. Pubs all close at 10 pm.

As schools returned, two classes at John Mason were sent home because of a confirmed case of Covid-19 in their bubble. (A bubble is usually one or two classes or however the school organise bubbles. Pupils do not mix inside school outside their bubble.)

Going back to school has seen the normal autumn coughs and sneezes and they are having a much bigger effect on attendance this year. Students are taking time off to get tested or wait for a family member to be tested. (My understanding is that new coughs, high temperatures, loss of smell and taste are possible symptoms of Covid-19. Sneezes and runny noses are not – yet.)

Yesterday, there were some people on the Market Place in Abingdon asking people to sign a petition against any new lockdown.