The Victoria Road bus shelter (on Ock Street) has been in place for nearly a year, having been installed by Abingdon Town Council. Unless you are in the habit of inspecting bus shelters, you may not have noticed anything unusual about it. At ground level, only a green fringe is visible — a hint that something botanical is taking place above your head.

From above, however (from nearby flats or the upper deck of the X2 bus), the roof reveals a small ecosystem. It is carpeted with vegetation, mostly sedum — a low-growing succulent that thrives in dry, sunny conditions, requires little maintenance, and does not need mowing or feeding. The plants absorb rainwater and provide nectar for passing bees.

The dry, straw-like remains of another plant suggest the roof may be quietly biodiversifying. Whether this was planned or is the work of a botanical hitchhiker is unclear, but it is interesting to discover that a bus shelter can develop a biosphere.

There are three litter bins close together in Old Station Yard, Abingdon. All three have been wrapped in blue liners and sealed with tape and carry a notice from Vale of White Horse District Council: ‘Litter Bin Not In Use. Please take your litter home with you.’

I tried looking on the VWHDC website. I did not find the reason but did find that town centre bins are emptied daily, outer town bins once a week, and others when they are around 75% full.

70% of what goes into public litter bins could  be recycled. Once mixed with food waste, liquids or dog mess, they must be disposed of as general waste.  The website says public litter bins are intended for general rubbish such as:
* Sandwich packaging
* Fast food packaging
* Disposable coffee cups
* Soft plastics and wrappers
* Bagged dog waste.

Abingdon is a place where broken things are put right. For some time the town has hosted Repair Cafés and cycle workshops, run by the Carbon Cutters, helping people mend rather than discard.

Last Saturday the Community Space in Unit 25 Bury Street was busy throughout the day. Sewing machines hummed as clothes were patched and altered. Small appliances were opened up on tables, tools were sharpened, and there were people there to adjust new bicycles bought at Christmas. People came and went with items that might otherwise have ended up in the bin, and the volunteers were busy.

From this Saturday there is a new repair space opening up. Along Ferry Walk (off Wilsham Road), beside the Make Space sea container, a shed has appeared on a small fenced patch of ground.

The Shed Space launches this Saturday. Help is being sought to assemble and paint the workshop. You can then find out what is planned next.

John Killick led a tour of the garden at St Ethelwold’s House on the theme of biodiversity.

He spoke about how, throughout history, humans have spread across the world and hunted many animals to extinction. In more recent times, large areas of the earth’s surface have been covered with hard materials such as aggregate which reduces natural habitats.

The group visited a rock supporting lichens, a cooperative growth of fungus and algae, before learning about grasses, which are wind-pollinated and do not rely on insects. John discussed which flowers best support insects, and the role of trees in providing habitats. The garden’s walnut tree, though not native, still benefits many creatures – and an oak tree would support even more.

Afterwards, thanks to Susie and other volunteers, scones were served

Donations were invited for the St Ethelwold’s building appeal, which is now well over halfway to its £70,000 target (currently at £44,000). Thanks to a generous supporter, any contributions made this month (from the 10th Sept to 10th Oct) will be matched – up to £10,000 – doubling their impact.