Author Archives: Backstreeter

Abingdon-on-Thames Science Festival 2018 heads-up

Science Festival
Last Saturday, James White and others from the Abingdon Science Festival were in the Community Free Space. This year’s festival runs from Saturday 10th March to Sunday 18th March. On the first Saturday, on Abingdon-on-Thames Market Place, there will be a Science Market with a lot of science activities and displays. The following Saturday there will be a Science Dome showing films on the Market Place.
Science Festival
Throughout the two weeks there will many talks and activities. James has kitted out his car to make people aware that it is happening. See the Abingdon Science Festival website for the full list of events.

Abingdon U3A at the Tower of London

Thaw
Anne Gould took a party of 50 from the Abingdon U3A Group to witness the ancient Ceremony of The Keys at HM Tower of London. They were hosted by Yeoman Warder Spike Abbott from Abingdon, now living within The Tower walls, and were fortunate to have a few ‘refreshments’ in the private club frequented by the Beefeaters. Anne was lucky to catch a photo here with the Tower Gaoler, Pete McGowran, ex RAF, just after he had secured the Fortress with The Queens Keys.

There is more about the Abingdon U3A (University 3rd Age) on their website with their programme of activities and events. Last Monday they had an interesting talk by Jeff Rozelaar based on his book Bagels and Bacon telling of his childhood not far from the Tower of London in the East End.

Thaw

Thaw
By this afternoon most of the snow had melted from the roads and pavements in Abingdon .

There was a last chance for some pictures of snow before it all thawed this morning. I walked along the road by Rye Farm Carpark, and passed the temporary encampment.
Thaw
The fields on one side have a few sheep and on the other side have regular patterns left by farm vehicles, accentuated by snow.
Thaw
The path towards Swift Ditch is a farm path that is far more picturesque with tracks showing through snow.
Thaw
Down at the weir, that cascades to join swift ditch (the old navigation channel), frozen spume was clinging to branches.
Thaw
A kingfisher flew down the opposite bank and perched on a tree branch, too fast and too distant to find with my camera.
Thaw
People living by the river probably see kingfishers regularly but to me it is a rare privilege.

Then I returned back along the River Thames path to Abingdon Lock where Richard, the lock keeper, was out working.

Later in the day I saw Frank (Lock Assistant) who said the Oxfordshire Home Guard have an event at the lock on April 8th. They will also be meeting the public in Abingdon Community Shop (Free Space) from 20th-24th March.

More Fine Snow

More Fine Snow
The snow stayed through the night and today as temperatures remained below freezing. The fine snow gets blown with the wind and so there are pavements that are clear with a drift elsewhere. I was told that the road from Cumnor to Abingdon was impassable this morning because of snow blown from the fields onto the road.
More Fine Snow
There was more fine snow today. Being near old buildings such as the Long Alley Almshouses in Abingdon is a reminder of all the previous ages when there were no warm houses as an escape from the cold.
More Fine Snow
Throughout the day pathways have been made in the snow by cars
More Fine Snow
and by people. The weather forecast has it growing warmer by tomorrow.