Category Archives: community

Beyond their own back yards

There are some things local councils no longer have the resources to tackle. The County Council is responsible for clearing weeds but unless the weeds block or impede access it is unlikely they will act. So action falls to the local town or parish council or to local people.
Community Clear Up
The path between St Michael’s Avenue and Park Road had become very overgrown. The path used to be regularly weeded by a local resident, but since he passed away it has got a bit out of hand.

So a small band of local residents embarked on a bit of street gardening today and have cleared the path of weeds, removing the graffiti from the neighbouring fence
Community Clear Up
– filling up 3 wheelie bins.

Thanks to Iain for sending this. He adds “Hopefully everyone will agree the path now looks much better. Thank you to Megan, Geoff, Lucy, Rosie, Hope and Toby for all their help.”

Fellowship at St Ethelwold’s

2 Replies

St Ethelwolds
You can tell from the thickness of the walls that St Ethelwold’s House is one of the oldest houses in Abingdon. The house has a Georgian front, with medieaval rooms stretching behind.

There has been a lot going on at St Ethelwold’s House this weekend. Yesterday there was an open afternoon.

I read in a leaflet called “The Fellowship of St Ethelwold” that Dorothea Pickering – the founder – hoped to create a small scale Benedictine Community at St Ethelwolds. Dorothea was interested in the history of Abingdon Abbey and named the house after St Ethelwold – a Benedictine monk who rebuilt and reinvigorated the Abbey in the tenth century. Nowadays, Bed and Breakfast, and the use of rooms for spiritual and community activities, ensure that St Ethelwold’s continues to flourish.
St Ethelwolds
Another of Dorotheas interests was interfaith relationships and today – Sunday – there was a large interfaith gathering in the garden. People shared a picnic and were entertained first by a group of children singing and dancing…

Then with some Bangladeshi music …

That reminds me, Duncan Brown, the ex Mayor, invited followers of a number of different faiths to act as his Chaplain during the year he was Mayor.

The story of a community garden – Part 1

1 Reply

(Thanks to storyteller Rosemary.)
Community Gardens
Once upon a time……….

There was a strip of rough ground and concrete between Carswell Community School and Bostock Road.
Community Gardens
Then TrinityLearning worked with the school on plans to re-model the area into a sensory garden, which could be used as both an outdoor classroom and a space where the children could sit quietly and reflect. It would have winding paths, a rainbow tree seat and a light/dark tunnel to the story corner.

But to spread the load this had to be a Community Project. Da da da…
Community Gardens
A team from 3 Logistic Support Regiment at Dalton Barracks helped with clearing the area. ……..

Parents, teachers and local residents worked together, laying out the design and digging over the soil…

Local businesses, including Oxford Green Roofs, Agrivert, AWBS, Richard Mathews, Merityres & Knights all helped ………….

The next stage (once topsoil & fences have been delivered) is planting. Carswell are hoping to fill the garden with donated plants, so please put aside any excess seedlings or cuttings you may have (especially shade-loving plants – non-toxic, of course!) and pass them on to the school. Donations of seeds, unwanted garden items or cash would also be welcome – please contact Rosemary Perrow on 520282, TrinityLearning@gmail.com if you would like to help.
Community Gardens
…… and look out for the Community “Plant-in”!

to be continued …

Abingdon Blog

News and Pictures

Category Archives: community

Beyond their own back yards

Fellowship at St Ethelwold’s

The story of a community garden – Part 1

Double Parade Day