Author Archives: Backstreeter

Outdoor Pool to open longer (from 2nd August)

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Abingdon Drama Club eighth Thames walk
Thanks to VWHDC for the press release, and Elizabeth for the picture…

Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow outdoor pool will be open for longer on weekdays after proving to be a huge hit since its £1.3million refurbishment by Vale of White Horse District Council.

Since it reopened on 16 June, the pool has hosted more than 13,000 swims with many sessions fully booked. The exceptional weather combined with the popularity of the new facilities has prompted the council, following discussions with GLL – which runs the pool on the council’s behalf – to announce it will extend the pool’s opening hours.

From Thursday 2 August the pool will open from 8.30am until 7pm, Monday to Friday – that’s an extra half an hour in the morning and an extra hour in the evening, which the council hopes will give people more time to swim.

Cllr Alice Badcock, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “It’s so fantastic to see how popular this much-loved local pool has become since its rebuild. We’re delighted that we can extend the pool’s opening hours so even more people can enjoy it.”

This weeks Herald has an article ‘Keep outdoor pool open longer for workers plea.‘

In order to allow GLL to re-populate its online booking system with the new extended times, online booking beyond 2 August will only be available from Monday 30 July. 

Abingdon Drama Club’s eighth Thames walk

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Abingdon Drama Club eighth Thames walk
On Saturday morning, members of Abingdon Drama Club (ADC) set out on their eighth annual walk to Oxford along the River Thames Path.Abingdon Drama Club eighth Thames walk
I last saw them as the headed down a path less traveled below Barton Fields.
Abingdon Drama Club eighth Thames walk
Kevin, the walk leader, sent me this picture at the King’s Arms at Sandford Lock. He said“The clouds parted a little later and it became another hot and sunny day”.

“Stopping points on the way were Radley boat house for a swig of water, the King’s Arms at Sandford Lock and the Isis just after Iffley Lock both for something a bit stronger.”
Abingdon Drama Club eighth Thames walk
Next year will see the ninth annual ADC walk. 2019 will also be ADC’s 75th Anniversary year. I asked whether “The Two Angry Women of Abingdon” was their first production. “It was the first play we performed at the Unicorn Theatre,” Kevin replied, “Our first play was ‘London Wall’.”

Prosecco in the Park

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Prosecco in the Park
From Friday to Sunday there was the first ever  ‘Prosecco in the Park’ at Rye Farm Meadow near Abingdon.
Prosecco in the Park
People brought their camping chairs, or rugs, and watched films on a large screen. The event caught the one bit of rain we have had in weeks on Friday evening, but the sunshine returned on Saturday and Sunday.
Prosecco in the Park
There was a good crowd on Sunday. After paying £5 for a wristband people could come and go during the day, and so it was also good for Abingdon town centre bringing in lots of visitors.

Things caught in the River Thames in Abingdon (9lb Pike, 2 surfers, and a bike)

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Things caught in the River
Thanks to Steve for the first 2 pictures of a 9lb Pike caught by Keith,
Things caught in the River
and some surfers caught by a boat.
Things caught in the River
Steve himself threw in a hook to pull out a bike that got thrown into the river the day before. He must have had a lot of practise as he hooked it and pulled it out at the first attempt. The bike, an Apollo, was left on Wilsham Road by the old canal junction waiting to be reunited with its owner.