Category Archives: environment

Refuse plastic, jumble sale, and England’s women


There was a stall on Abingdon Market Place this morning. Abingdon Carbon Cutters have the slogan ‘Refuse, Reduce, Refill and Re-use.”

They want to encourage people to refuse and reduce new plastic, and where that is impossible, re-use many times, and finally recycle.

For activities on the stall, Busby’s beeswax with cloth was being made into an alternative wrapping. There was also a quiz to take away and find out what Abingdon businesses are doing to reduce plastic.

Also, in town, The Salvation Army had an all-day jumble sale with bric-a-brac and clothes.

The England Flag is flying over the County Hall museum during the Women’s EURO 2022 football tournament. The England women’s team started well, winning all three group matches scoring 14 goals with 0 against.

From the County Hall museum roof, there is no sign of the Abingdon Bridge repairs.

The view of Didcot Power Station shows three chimneys.

First Plot to Plate event in Abingdon


The plot to plate community event will involve music and dance as well as classes, talks and tastings focused on vegetable growing, cooking and eating. The event will be in the Abbey Buildings and gardens on Saturday the 9th of July. The event is a collaboration between the Abbey Buildings, One Planet Abingdon, Abingdon Carbon Cutters and Abingdon Events Partnership. You can find out more and book places for talks at https://abingdonabbeybuildings.co.uk/plot-to-plate-community-festival/.

Raised vegetable beds were introduced this year by the Abingdon Carbon Cutters in their Abbey Gardens plot. Their green-fingered experts are leading by example.

EZ (easy) EV (electric vehicle) chargers installed in Car Parks in Abingdon


Twelve electric vehicle charging points have been installed in West St Helen Street Car Park. That is two on each electric pump. There are also 16 for Audlett Drive and  10 at the Cattle Market car parks.

The chargers are operated by EZ Charge – a Bicester Company, working with Oxfordshire County Council.

The Park and Charge scheme is designed for local residents who cannot install home charging. They will also work for people who have not installed home charging, or anybody who needs a top-up.

According to the RAC You can currently expect between 100 and 300 miles from a fully charged electric car, depending on the model.

Group Litter Pick by the River Thames


There was a group litter pick by the River Thames this morning. About fifty volunteers took part. It was organised by AbiBinit!.

Group litter picks get a lot of attention and make people curious. (Follow the link AbiBinit! if you want to find how to get involved).The Mayor took part and then cycled away to pick up the chain for this group picture.

Helen, who organised the event, said it started over five years ago. When she first went out people laughed at her, but they are not laughing now. People get used to seeing people picking litter.

There are individuals who do their own litter picking of their own locality and Abibinit have an interactive map showing some of locations. For example Mike does Audlett Drive almost every week.

The group litter pick involved people in canoes picking rubbish from the water ways.

Also down at the lock, some new fence work, made from coppiced willows, has been weaved in the last week – behind the bug house.