We have had a lot of rain and large puddles have grown. On a rainy night, this is what the Market Car Park, in the town centre looked like . The car park is used by season ticket holders – mostly traders.
It also houses an area for waste / recycling. The cages are a recent innovation.
By morning the clouds have gone but standing water still remains. On Ferry Walk, just off Wilsham Road, such standing water is an obstacle for the elderly people who live there.
In the Albert Park the thick screen of bushes round the bowling green has been mostly removed. This is all part of the regeneration scheme, that began two years ago, to preserve and improve the park – cutting back overgrown leylandi and laurel and replace with other species. The park is looked after by the charity Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon, which dates from 1553.
This morning saw the traditional New Year’s day walk round the 1556 Abingdon Borough bounds. The walk was led by Councillor Martin Smith, aided by the town crier.
Instead of the traditional green gown and nautical hat, the town crier wore a red lumberjacks jacket and top hat. His bib and bell were authentic.
A view from the tower looking up East St Helen Street
A view from the tower looking towards the Old Gaol.
The Sanctus bell in the tower dating from 1641.
A carved stone face on the spire.
(Thanks to Mark and Brian for these pictures from St Helen’s Church.)
I saw somebody waiting anxiously at the church door for the arrival of the wedding party. There were a lot of events called off because of the snow.