Category Archives: Abbey Grounds

Abingdon’s one star Crazy Golf

One Star Crazy Golf
Reviews on Tripadvisor say …

Dire!
The crazy golf is something from the past, cracked surface and nothing crazy about it…

Miniature golf falling to bits
Having lived here on and off since childhood, I can honestly say the mini golf has not been updated since then.(over 30 years)!

Here is a video of the ten holes they are talking about. All of them are to be removed to make way for a more exciting play area – whatever the latest consultation decides upon. So are any of the holes worth saving? Vote for your favourite.

August Bank Holiday by the River Thames in Abingdon

August Bank Holiday
On August Bank Holiday the sun was out and so were the crowds by the River Thames in Abingdon. The pool and splash pad area were crowded.
August Bank Holiday
There were lots of people down at Abingdon Lock watching the boats come and go.
August Bank Holiday
A continuous stream of people crossed the weir both ways. At times people with bikes or buggies had to wait until the oncoming bikes or buggies had crossed. So riverside walks were well used.

The playground was packed. There were a few people playing pitch and putt, and even more playing crazy golf.
August Bank Holiday
Only empty place was the tennis court.
August Bank Holiday
A consultation with community groups and school children showed how they valued the riverside facilities in November 2014.

The last three ranked facilities are likely to be chopped by the Vale of White Horse District Council when they revamp the area. The crazy golf and tennis courts will become a larger play area. I have not heard what is planned for the pitch and putt.

Abingdon Style Countryfile

Countryfile
In the Abbey Meadows there are now two circles where the grass and wild flowers are encouraged to grow. The inner circle is already full of delicate meadow grass and flowers, such as these Ragged Robin.
Countryfile
The outer circle has thicker grass, and some wild flowers including thistles. Yesterday volunteers were digging out the thistles to allow other flowers to thrive.
Countryfile
Today was sunny, and over the River Thames, in Rye Farm Meadow, a tractor was turning the grass with the wuffler, or hay spreader.
Countryfile
There were also lots of people out enjoying the countryside and the River Thames, watching boats at Abingdon Lock, and crossing the white water at Abingdon Weir. The Abbey Meadows play area, round the splash pad, was particularly popular.

Shadows and Highlights

Shadows and Highlights
The theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community for June is “Shadows And Highlights” and I have picked a picture from a walk beside the Mill Stream, in the Abbey Meadows, on a sunny Sunday morning in May, showing the dappled sunlight under the new leaves.

I had idly watched, and photographed, some moorhen chicks just before taking this picture. Afterwards I found that the River Thames was closed because police divers were searching the river near the Marina. While I had been enjoying the spring sunshine, other people were in the middle of a personal tragedy.

More pictures of Shadows and Highlights from around the world are HERE to see.