Author Archives: Backstreeter

Abingdon in Bloom 2020

Flowers
Fabulous Flowers, on Bridge Street, had a magnificent display outside their shop when they prepared to open after the lockdown. Now there is a smaller outside display and the magnificent blooms are inside.
Flowers
Over the road is Roysse Court, and then a little further along the Market Place.

Sue Stevens had a letter printed in the Abingdon Herald today praising the red, white, and blue flower beds around the Market Place, and Roysse Court, which she says are ‘very apt for VE Day year’.
Flowers
The square planters elsewhere around the town centre, with the name Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council on the side, were planted later than usual but now have a variety of colours.
Flowers
The formal beds in the Abbey Gardens are the work of the Vale of White Horse District Council parks department.
Flowers
Along Stratton Way there are a couple of red and orange beds, and one in between with cooler pastel colours.

Despite the pandemic, the Town Council and VWHDC District Council and contractors have created some fine floral displays. What is different in 2020 is that the Town Council have no hanging baskets round the Market Place or planters along the river.  They do take a lot of water.

Art in the Garden Gallery

Art in the Garden Gallery
There is  an art exhibition from 20th to 26th July (10 – 4 pm) in the River Room at the bottom of the garden at St Ethelwolds House. There were prints and cards outside and some hand sanitiser.
Art in the Garden Gallery
Inside were paintings and prints by Dougie Simpson, Caroline Ritson and Marion Owen. There was  much to admire in the exhibition, and much to admire round the garden should the need to wait arise. People could go inside the exhibition on their own or with their own group.

Like Stonehenge the County Hall in Abingdon has stood the test of time.

Arches
The County Hall in Abingdon looks magnificent from whatever angle you view it.

The hall was built between 1678 and 1683 and amazes people travelling through Abingdon.
Arches
Recent architecture looks insubstantial alongside.
Arches
The Abingdon Market Place viewed through its arches has seen many changes.
Arches
Like Stonehenge the County Hall has stood the test of time.

A young tree needs protection – Part 7

A Young Tree
Back in 2006 I took pictures of some trees, with tree guards  – under the title ‘A Young Tree Needs Protection’. I have posted pictures of those same trees several times. This is the 7th.
A Young Tree
The first tree, on the Ock Valley Walk, was planted for John Jones OBE, Freeman of Abingdon, by Jean Jones, his widow. It now spreads over the path, and merges with a horse chestnut behind. The guard has long since been removed.
A Young Tree
The next two trees were planted together in the Albert Park.
A Young Tree
They are still there with their tree guards, growing slowly. One has always had a slight lean.
A Young Tree
The final tree was on Caldecott Road.
A Young Tree
It got broken off and did not survive to see 2007, but another tree was planted in 2007 with a stronger tree guard. It can be seen here.