Author Archives: Backstreeter

Christmas Shopping in Abingdon

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Abingdon Bookshops
At Mostly Books I was introduced to Alison Barrow of Transworld Publishing, a division of Penguin with a lot of new exciting books. She is seen here with Nicki Thornton, the co-owner of Mostly Books, who won this year’s Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition, and will soon have the book published.
Abingdon Bookshops
In the window of Abingdon’s other independent bookshop, the Bookstore, the polar bears are back on show. I am still dreaming of a White Christmas despite the tabloids saying “White Christmas hopes dashed as Britain braces to be hit by three storms.”
Abingdon Bookshops
Most of our Christmas shopping is now done. Shopping in Abingdon is easier, and on a more human scale. The crowds and queues in Oxford can make my head spin.

Thames Hydro Project at Culham looks nearly complete

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Thames Hydro Project at Culham nearing completion
Residents of Culham and Sutton Courtney look likely to be successful in being allowed to generate electricity from the River Thames at Sutton Pools.

The Abingdon Hydro project did not go ahead a year ago because quotes for building the hydro came in well above the budgeted figures, and time was running to start generating electricity in time to get a preferential tariff from central government. As a result the local people who invested in the scheme got most of their money back.
Thames Hydro Project at Culham nearing completion
Looking at the almost complete Culham / Sutton Courteney project you can see they have been allowed to put three turbines in a far more central position as part of the existing weir (Abingdon Hydro were allowed two turbines at the side).

The Culham project also has better access with a temporary road across the fields; and behind the project is a local professional company, Hallidays Hydropower, based in Dorchester-on-Thames, who have undertaken other projects since being set up in 2007.
Thames Hydro Project at Culham nearing completion
The fish pass also looks far simpler than the one designed for the Abingdon Hydro where less room was allowed.

Turkey and Mistletoe

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Turkey and Mistletoe
Yesterday we caught the X3 into Oxford and, among other things, walked through the Covered Market where Hedges’ posters advertise the geese and turkeys – supplied by Peachcroft Farm for over 75 years.
Turkey and Mistletoe
Turkeys and geese could be seen above the shop.
Turkey and Mistletoe
Hedges in Abingdon also have the same posters – alongside blackboards telling passers-by of the meats on offer.
Turkey and Mistletoe
There is no display of turkeys and geese above the shop window,. There is not even a shop window. Hedges delivery vans operate from here, but there is a door welcoming customers.
Turkey and Mistletoe
Not far away on the Market Place Mistletoe was hung out on the plant stall. Another of the ingredients for Christmas.
…
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
…
From Nat King Cole’s – The Christmas Song.

4 am on a misty morning

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4am on a misty morning
It is 4 am on Saturday Morning. There are still people going home after parties or Christmas work does. There will not be a bus until 6 am.
4am on a misty morning
There is a taxi on the rank, but not the queue of taxis you would have seen earlier in the night.
4am on a misty morning
A council street cleaner is clearing up litter further up the High Street.

The Town Council Christmas lights are off at this late hour. Only the lights in Bury Street ( run by an Asset Management Company) remain on all night.