I cycled up Saxton Road today and noticed that all the flags had been removed from the lamp posts. Later, I saw that the flags had also gone from around the Marcham Road roundabouts.
The removals may be linked to reports that the group responsible for putting up the flags had agreed to stop displaying St George’s and Union Jack flags in Oxfordshire. The council has now arranged for the remaining flags to be taken down.
The 2026 World Cup, taking place across the USA, Mexico and Canada, got underway for England this evening with a Group L match against Croatia in Dallas. The tournament has already brought some colour to Abingdon, with a few local businesses displaying England flags in support of the Three Lions.
The Blue Boar has England flags, Union Jacks, and a Brazil Flag. Inside there are a lot more flags.
Sue Ryder has a large England flag inside the shop and World Cup signs in the window. These are mixed with their Fathers Day display. Fathers Day is on Sunday.
Topsport has one window dedicated to England / football and another featuring throwing rings. Inside, all 48 competing nations are represented by their flags.
With England’s World Cup campaign now underway with a convincing 4–2 win over Croatia, more flags could begin to appear around Abingdon, in addition to those left by ‘Operation Raise the Colours’.
Martin pointed out that some recent work has been carried out along the edge of Thrupp Lake. It appears to be aimed at keeping people to the paths so that vegetation has a chance to recover and grow. At the south-west end, what looks like a hedge has been planted between the gravel path and the vehicle track to discourage people from straying off the route.
At the north-west end, a low fence now guides walkers onto a narrower route. Although there is a canopy of trees here and little currently growing beneath them, a notice explains the reason for the change:
‘Historic data shows that White Helleborine used to grow along this tree line. We’re hoping by fencing it off, this plant will start to reappear.’
The gravel path around the lakes is also more extensive than I remember and new fences have been added in places.
Meanwhile, old features from the lake’s previous life such as the old boathouse are becoming more dilapidated.
I filmed a full walk around Thrupp and Bullfield Lakes this morning using time-lapse to show just how much of the route has a gravel path. The result is like a roller-coaster ride. See
https://youtu.be/3aNWqWPfD7M
Some vinyl signage has appeared in the window of 4 High Street for the upcoming ‘The Old Shop Nursery’. The opening is advertised for Spring ’26, with a website at montiandme.co.uk.
From the information available, the premises appears set to combine retail and childcare, offering games, toys and clothing alongside child day-care activities. The main person behind the new company has experience in Montessori education, with a particular emphasis on working with multilingual children.
I gather that Montessori education is an approach that encourages independence, curiosity and hands-on learning, allowing children to choose activities at their own pace rather than following a rigid, teacher-led structure.
There is already another Montessori nursery at Radley Place in Abingdon.