The Abingdon Rowing Club chose the warmest day of the year for the annual Spring Head of the River time trials. Boats were put into the River Thames at the landing stages alongside Rye Farm Meadows.

Lots of people were there to enjoy the spectacle and the sunshine.

The rowers then rowed under Abingdon Bridge, and beside St helen’s Church, to the start at Culham Reach, passing the finish along the way.

There was rowing throughout the day as rowers were divided into four divisions. So at most times there were rowers either rowing to the start, or racing to the finish.

They started in the wilds of Culham.

They passed the woody area of the Marina Park.

Then came into the blue stretch alongside Abingdon Rowing Club.

Back at Rye Farm Meadow there were refreshment tents serving burgers and hot dogs.

Then another batch of 80 boats set off for the start.

An excellent job was done by the stewards keeping order, and allowing other motor boats to come through during the gaps between racing.

Work is nearing completion on the gym extension at the Vale of White Horse Leisure Centre, and today new automatic doors were installed.

The final shape of the doughnut shaped extension is now plain to see.

There are lots of gyms looking for your membership. Abingdon School has a banner advertising their facilities which now include Tilsley Park. A flier came through our door yesterday for the ‘Fitness In Time – Ladies Only Gym’.

There are lots ways to keep fit and some are free. We often have a quick go on the exercise equipment at Ladygrove Meadow, off the Drayton Road, when passing that way.

Usually when we hear that the outdoor pool will not be opening next season it is because of some problem. This time things are quite different. The Vale of White Horse District Council have announced that they will replace Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool with a brand new pool.

The new pool will include a shallow beach area allowing easy access to the water, and a deep water area for swimmers and diving.

The outdoor pool will be closed for construction over the summer of 2017 but the splash park and kiosk will continue to operate. Swimmers can always use the leisure centre in Abingdon, or Hinksey outdoor pool on the Abingdon Road in Oxford.

Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: ‘This year we saw more than 33,000 visitors to the outdoor pool, our busiest summer for many years… The replacement work will mean that future generations will also be able to enjoy an outdoor swim by the River Thames in Abingdon.‘