Author Archives: Backstreeter

Caldecott Road Lime Trees, Planning Applications, and a Scrap Yard by the River

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Both Peter and Captain Chaos have sent emails about the Lime Trees on Caldecott Road …
Lime Trees
Peter said “How to make a beautiful road ugly. The trees just needed a slight trim not wanton vandalism!” Then later, “Much of the first few trees have been amputated, but then they stopped. The rest are still overhanging the road and probably need a trim. It makes one think, did they attack the wrong trees?”
Lime Trees
Captain Chaos says “Driving down Caldecott Road a fortnight ago I was horrified to see the first half a dozen Lime trees had been given a severe pruning, so much so I considered contacting council to ask the question why? However, going by next day work appeared to have stopped. Had they attacked the wrong trees thought I? Alas, yesterday the tree surgeons were back and the once beautiful, full of leaf, row of fine looking specimens have, in my humble opinion, been mutilated.”
Lime Trees
Captain Chaos adds that “According to the VWHDC planning portal the old Hanoi café site in Stert Street has a planning application for conversation to a Vintage furniture shop, to also include a Milk Shake bar.”

“Also there is an application to demolish “The Isis” bungalow on Wilsham road. This road is undergoing quite a transformation.”

He says, “I wish the VWHDC council would do something about the scrap yard that’s now taken over the headland where the old boat house had their fuel pumps. It does not a good impression to boaters arriving here.”

Abbey Gardens – Flowers, Vegetables and Herbs

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Abbey Gardens
In the Abbey Gardens this summer there are not just the formal flower beds carpeted with flowers.
Abbey Gardens
There is also an educational display put on by Edible Abingdon which people are encouraged to try at the right time.
Abbey Gardens
This section has clear labels for Thyme, Ruby Chard, and Red Currant.
Abbey Gardens
A bit further along are Climbing French Beans, Marjoram, Mangetout Peas, and Autumn Raspberry.

Apothecary gardens were grown in the Middle Ages by Benedictine monks who studied plants and their therapeutic uses. So the herbs are very fitting for the Abbey Gardens.

Alzheimer’s Society – support for people with dementia

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Dementia
At St Nicolas Church in Abingdon on Saturday the Alzheimer’s Society had a jumble and craft sale with refreshments, and a lot of information about dementia.
Dementia
From the pulpit I got a better view of the pew-top stalls. Towards the alter were clothes, and along the church, cards, and craft work, bric-a-brac, games, and books.
Dementia
One lady told me about the fidget quilts she makes to provide tactile fun and hand activities. She does not normally sell them but gives them to community hospitals and care homes.

One of my first jobs was at Dickens Ward in Netherne Psychiatric Hospital near Coulsdon. I have strong memories of some of the people living there. There was one chap who spent a lot of his time feeling the contours and buttons and legs of the chair where he sat. He had been an upholsterer before retirement, and before the dementia robbed him of the ability to remember anything but some old memories.
Dementia
The Alzheimer’s Society also had a couple of stalls on the Market Place, as did the Vale House who are specialists in caring for people with dementia, and supporting their families – far more innovative and caring than Dickens Ward.

Abingdon Naturalists Society 50th Anniversary

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Thanks to Michael for this report ….
Abingdon Naturalists Society
The Abingdon Naturalists Society 50th Anniversary party was held at Coseners House on Saturday, July 8th.

The Society was formed in May 1967 after the founder members attended a WEA (Workers Educational Association) course in natural history. About 60 past and present members came and there was much reminiscing and looking at photos from days gone by.
Abingdon Naturalists Society
My wife Eliso Bloom made an amazing cake with swans (the society logo), a pond with ducks, snakes, flowers etc. It was cut by our President, Richard Lewington, a wildlife artist who has illustrated many books particularly on butterflies and moths.