For people who like doing the circular walk round by Abingdon Weir there is an obstacle at the moment.

The Environment Agency are doing a lot of work in the area and have had to stop people crossing. The initial notice said the closure was from 5th October to 23rd October – or if necessary for up to six months. Presumably if they find serious problems it would take longer.

This poor boat, next to the disabled fishing area beside the Abbey Meadows, has been like that for a couple of weeks now. I saw a couple sitting cross legged beside it as if in mourning one afternoon. Possibly the owner. I felt sad for them. Their dream has became a liability they must now find a way to try to salvage.

The weir closure has been very well sign posted, but not everybody will get the warning in time. Most of this sign was in the rubbish bin last Sunday.

Here is a view from the 35 bus on the one evening in the year when it goes up West St Helen Street – the evening of the Runaway Fair.

This Runaway Fair is mostly for the young ones – and takes place one week after the Michalemas Fair. By the time I get home it is looking quiet. I doubt they ever make that much money – it is more a tradition.

This is the next 35 Bus negotiating the corner at the top of West Saint Helen Street on the evening of the Runaway fair – with a cyclist coming the other way as an extra obstacle.

Public consultation on the planned changes to manning will last until January 31. There is a public meeting at Abingdon Guildhall on January 15 at 7pm, where the management will present their proposed changes. The unions urge people to make their concerns known at the union website.

In an attempt to ensure better fire cover is provided in some rural areas of Oxfordshire, Fire Service bosses are proposing cuts to the number of full time firefighter jobs at Abingdon and Didcot fire stations. In addition, those that remain will see their working hours radically changed. The Fire Brigades Union, who were not consulted on the proposal, are deeply concerned about the impact these changes will have for the people who live in the Oxford, Abingdon and Didcot areas.

If accepted, the initiative will reduce the number of full time firefighters at Abingdon and Didcot fire stations from 14 to 12 on each station. Alarmingly, there will be periods of time when none of the 12 firefighters are on duty. Part time firefighters will fill the gaps when they are able to do so. Firefighters are worried that these changes will lead to an increase in the time it takes for the Fire Service to respond to emergency calls, with the possibility that it could lead to more fatalities.

Already in South Yorkshire similar changes have escalated into a dispute. Bosses have served notice to terminate the contracts of over 700 Firefighters unless they accept the changes being imposed upon them.

Against Breast Cancer, an Abingdon based charity, did a brilliant job turning the town centre pink. Many of the shops had a display. This is Fabulous Flowers.

This is Badgers Menswear. I was quite amazed at the common pink purpose that had taken hold of the town.

On the Market there was belly dancing by Ashnah. They have their own blog.

The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers performed with non-traditional pink bows on their broom.

There was also a Cabaret by Janice Day. She sang some 1930s and 1950s songs very well.

She also read from her book ‘Getting IT off My Chest’ about her Breast Cancer and how it changed her as a person. Having read the first few pages of my signed copy I am very glad I bought it.

… There was a rumour that a convoy of pink cars were going to come through town. If they did come through I missed them. But there is one at least on The Harry Blog.