The annual January 1st Christian Aid Sponsored Walk met at St Helen’s church centre. For the first time the eight mile walk was entirely in Abingdon. It began by going round South Abingdon, and then went round part of North Abingdon.

Cliff Marshall, the co-ordinator, gave instructions and reminded people that the government would double all the sponsorship money they raised for Christian Aid.

An hour later, at 11 am, on the Market Place, participants of the Boundary Walk were photographed for the Oxford Mail / Abingdon Herald before leaving on the 4 mile walk round the 1556 Abingdon Borough boundary.

Councillor Helen Pighills, a former Mayor of Abingdon, led the walk, helped by Patrick Bird, of the Guild of Abingdon Town Criers.

Because the Ock Valley walk is still closed the Boundary Walk had to be diverted down Caldecott Road, along the route of the former canal. There they met the Christian Aid walk coming the other way.

Soon after that it rained heavily on both walks for about twenty minutes. But spirits were not dampened. Patrick Bird invited anybody listening to come and join the boundary walk, despite the rain.

Happy New Year!

Yesterday we visited the original Annie’s Tearooms at  the Canal in Thrupp (near Kidlington) and enjoyed Sweet potatoe soup  (featured on the Not Abingdon Blog).

Today we started a walk at Annie’s at the Boathouse in Abingdon. We split the sudoku and  crossword so we both had a puzzle to do, then enjoyed some warming Leek and potato soup. We noticed that other Thames walkers had also stopped off here for refreshments.

We left Annie’s behind and walked along the far bank of the River Thames. For anybody driving along the A34, Abingdon might just look like a place of business parks, and out of town shopping.

but Abingdon is a river town with all its buildings on one bank of the River Thames.

The walk in the direction of Culham is muddy in places so boots are a good idea at this time of year. The walk passes close to the old Culham Bridge, built in the reign of Henry V, and no longer used for traffic. So you can head back to Abingdon from there along the causeway or…

take the route via Sutton Courtney (next Thames crossing) and back to Abingdon – a seven mile walk. The spire of St Helen’s Church can be seen for miles around, and the bright lights of the Old Anchor are there to welcome visitors on winter evenings.

The splendid Old County Hall was completed in 1682 by Christopher Kempster, one of Wren’s master masons during the building of St Paul’s Cathedral. The County Hall houses the town’s museum, and is well lit up at this time of year.

We went for a cycle ride and walk near Radley College on Sunday. We left the bikes near the Lodge Hill garage, then walked through the avenue of trees and then down towards the Radley College golf course. Most people we saw had dogs with them. This chap had a lot more than most.

Looking down towards Didcot Power Station there were also a lot of geese at Peachcroft Farm.

Our destination was the Womping Oak. It could have made an appearance in the Harry Potter books if Harry had gone to Radley College.

We walked back up through the avenues of trees,

down Lodge Hill

passing the sign for quality Turkeys and Geese. Then back to Abingdon and a beautiful sunset looking down the Vineyard.

Thanks to Viv for this history, and to the Skuses for sending pictures of Health Walks over the years …

When I retired from teaching in 2003 I wanted to help in our local community. I was really lucky; I read an article on Health Walks and their benefits. I love walking and the outdoors, so started the daunting task of recruiting volunteers to help me.

I used the gym at the Leisure centre where I started talking to any individual who enjoyed exercise and admitted to liking walking! I recruited them and we started one walk on a Wednesday morning from the White Horse Leisure Centre in Audlett Drive.

Initially we had one led walk and only 3-4 walkers. Gradually we have grown and grown, so to date we now lead 8 different walks per week as follows:-

Monday and Wednesday mornings at 10.30 am. There are 3 walks a gentle, moderate and a brisk.

On Thursdays mornings we have a first steps walk that is based at Preston Road Community centre. This is 30-45 minutes in length and is the gentlest of our walks

In October we are starting a Friday morning moderate walk from the White horse Leisure Centre.

Since we started 14 years ago Abingdon Health Walks have grown from one weekly walk with 4 walkers, to 8 walks of varying speeds every week. A typical attendance on any single walk is 10-20 people.

We receive support from the Leisure centre but are not funded in any way. We believe this is our strength- no officialdom. We have around 300 regular walkers on our database. 75 walkers have undertaken training to become leaders or backmarkers.

These committed volunteers also organise coach trips, holidays(3 this year), a picnic, pub walks, evening pub walks and a Christmas party.

Coordinating this Scheme is the most fulfilling activity that I am involved in. The support of the leaders and the group is amazing. The walkers support of each other, whenever there is a need, gives me faith in the people of Abingdon and the surrounding area.