Last year, Tim sent some pictures of bulb planting by Appleford / Compton Drive residents. He says they went up a league last week and planted three trees on the verge for all the excellent reasons trees get planted. It was a multi-generational event with everyone from toddlers to dodderers joining in. Tim says they plan to continue to manage the space for the community and the environment by encouraging wildflowers and maintaining the grass for wildlife. They’ll mow paths through it that many children love to run through.

The Abibinit litter pickers were in action this morning on the Ock Valley Walk, clearing away all the rubbish the floods left behind. They must have filled at least 20 bags! A big thanks to them, especially so soon after all the water chaos.

There are still some signs of the flooding, though. The river has some logs and fallen trees floating around. But the good news is there is now very little litter.

A waste transfer operation operates at the old coal yard off Thrupp Lane. The operation is the subject of a retrospective planning application open for comment until August 10th. The County Council has said that they believe the application is outside the development plan for the county.

The operation involves the sorting of waste by excavators under a large tarpaulin. The tarpaulin is intended to prevent dust from blowing, but dust and smell were still noticeable near the footpath (where I took this picture).

If you have any comments on the planning application, you can submit them to the County Council website: https://myeplanning.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/MW.0088/23.

The Abingdon Herald print edition (2nd Aug 2023) has a more detailed article on the same subject.

In May 2023, the Vale of White Horse District Council launched the ‘Let It Bee’ campaign to increase biodiversity on council-owned land by allowing wildflowers and plants to grow on specific sites.

As part of the ‘Let It Bee’ campaign, a much larger area of the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon has been allowed to grow, as well as other district sites, including Tilsley Park, White Horse Leisure Centre, and Rye Farm.

The wildflower maze in the Abbey Meadows shows what can be done as it has been left to grow for a few years now, and has a wide variety of wildflowers, including lady’s bedstraw,  vetch, yarrow and meadow scabious.

The flowers attract various insects, including bees and butterflies.