Kieran lives down by the river in Abingdon not far from me and sent me a few pictures of ‘our lovely little town of Abingdon’. Here we look over the hedge at the back of the Long Alley Almshouses towards St Helen’s Church.

There is quite a lot happening round the back of the Old Gaol with large embankments being built on the far side. This view of the water front with willow branches hanging in the river will be interesting to compare with the new waterfront with restaurants and public access.

Finally, a lovely backdrop, with a plump pigeon and the paint peeling in the foreground. I believe the black paint was added for aesthetic reasons using a Grant from JET (the Joint Environmental Trust) some time back. Only the stretch nearest the town centre was done and it does look better than the standard grey underneath.

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.