In 1956 a clause was added to the British Road Traffic Bill so that owners of dogs allowed on a ‘designated road’ without a lead would be liable to a fine of up to £5. This sign, near the entrance of Sydenhams, shows that Ock Street in Abingdon was such a ‘designated road’. It must be the oldest dog sign in Abingdon and dates from before the Borough ceased to exist in 1974. Unless you know better.
Thankyou to Peter from Abingdon Camera Club for being there at the Dragon Boat Racing this year as I was away.
The Dragon Boat Racing is one of the big events in the Abingdon Calendar, and is a charity fund raising event organised by The Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper’s with the support of many other local groups.
There were 4 army teams rowing this year, and the 3 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps went on to win both the army challenge and this year’s event.
There were also a dozen or so other team, most of them dressed up to express their team’s theme.
Dragon Boat Racing involve rowing to the beat of a drum down a 250 meter track down the River Thames. The event was was well attended , and there was also entertainment for children, BBQ and tea and cake tents (both manned by the Rotary Club), Loose Cannon Brewery beer tent, various charities and souvenir sellers.
This was the 20th year the event has been run.
Since I no longer co-ordinate Heritage Open Days, and somebody else is already beginning to plan what happens in 2019, it was a chance to take part in Ride and Stride. This event ensures that a lot of churches in Oxfordshire are open to visitors on the same day – not a Sunday.
Participants get sponsored and the money raised goes 50% to their chosen church, and 50% to maintain Oxfordshire Historic Churches.
I began at my own church Trinity, Abingdon, where I got a very generous donation from the first two people manning the church.
Then went to St Michael’s (pictured).
Abingdon Baptist Church may be closed for building work but they still had people with refreshments.
Churches offer drinks, and sustenance to people riding and striding round. All Saints had a good selection, including Jelly babies.
The people at a table in the Eden Cafe at Peachcroft Church were very generous and added their names to my sponsor form. Thankyou to them.
After an easy start with ten churches in Abingdon it was into new territory. Radley, and St James the Great…
St Swithuns at Kennington…
Sandford was expecting a visit from the Bishop of Oxford that afternoon, arriving by boat.
When I got to Littlemore, the Bishop had already been and left his chalked 2018 tag.
He had been to many of the churches in Oxford on previous days, including the unspoilt church in Iffley with its romanesque arches and John Piper Window.
My ride took me down the Cowley Road, where I discovered Bartlemas Chapel (part of the former leper colony). 36 years ago I lived in Bartlemas Road and never knew that chapel existed.
Then it was into the centre of Oxford where a lot of churches were very busy because it was also Open Doors day. Christ Church College and the Cathedral had a one way flow system. Once in I just had to go all the way round collecting a signature in the Cathedral.
In the end I got round 37 churches and looked inside many I had been past but never looked inside before. I returned home up the Botley Road, and via Cumnor. It was a fascinating way to spend a day.
At the Abbey Buildings last night an architect from Purcell gave an initial look at some options for increasing the usage, looking after the fabric, and improve accessibility.
This study is funded by the initial feasibility study stage of a Heritage Lottery Grant, and could lead on if selected to a stage 1 and stage 2 lottery grant and a very important project for the Abbey Buildings.
There were options and plans and ideas on display in the Checker Building, the oldest part of the Abbey Buildings – the architect told us.
The architect spoke about the options for opening up the building with an external lift, and opening up doorways that have been closed up. But all of that will not come cheap, and so a HLF grant is needed and the support of local councils, and people.
This morning there were Heritage Walks from the Market Place.
One of them, the Lost Abbey Tour, started in St Nicolas Church, and went into the history of the Great Abbey Church, and it surrounds, which once dominated the town. The Abbey Buildings, and Abbey Gateway are all that remains of that once great abbey.