There is an area of paved land north west of Stratton Way that is owned by Abingdon -on-Thames Town Council and in Feb 2020 (before Covid-19 struck) there was a proposal that the land be disposed of.

The land has a restrictive covenant in place, and is hemmed in by the underpass, and garden walls and so uses will be limited.

At one time people must have parked their bikes here but that does not happen much as it is off the beaten track.

There are a couple of benches: one on the lower terrace, and an old metal bench in a secluded place, up some steps, at the back.

There is a flower bed at the front that has been recently replanted for the winter.

The first pansy has just appeared.

The land does not give the impression of being a well loved or wanted, and it will be interesting to learn if anybody knows any more about it, or whether anybody does love it.

Back in Abingdon after a week away in Cumbria. The flag over the County Hall has returned to the Union Jack after the Police flag was up there for a couple of weeks.

The former Superdrug shop in Bury Street is to be used for a Heritage exhibition – Coming Home, Moving On from 14th to 21st September. There is no longer a Community Shop / Free Space for use by Clubs and Societies.

Some windows have been mended after being boarded up. There had been a spate of broken windows.

There was some work being done on Stratton Way this evening which involved work personnel with Stop and Go lollipop signs trying to control the traffic. It did not look easy. Tail backs in either direction quickly overlapped traffic light controlled junctions.

Were there any stories that I missed while away that would be worth investigating?

Christine emailed me saying …

Please can I suggest that you turn your lens and wise words on Abbey Meadows, specifically the play and picnic area around the lido, children’s fountain and small cafe kiosk. The area used to be a popular picnic area and was always full of families enjoying a meal or playing. For the last months it has been virtually deserted as the whole area is thickly crusted with goose poo ! I don’ t think, in all the years we have lived in Abingdon we have seen so many geese, of several varieties, and so many goslings as this year. The authorities have banned dogs and there are cattle grids to keep them out but the goose droppings and feathers especially all over the concrete of the fountains, are a bigger health hazard as well as being unsightly. A cull is needed at best or, if that is too contentious, then encouraging the geese to go elsewhere.

I went down there this evening when a group of Canada geese were just leaving and the area was thickly crusted with pooh, and even some pooh was around the interactive water feature.

There is a notice to say ‘do not feed the geese‘. However geese love eating short grass and the grass is kept very short here. One solution would be to allow the grass to grow long. Or replace it with artificial grass. Both ideas could have a down side.

Dogs love to chase geese but as Christine says they are not allowed in this area, and could not be expected to patrol overnight in any case.

Could the Vale of White Horse District Council do a cleanup then find some way of keeping geese away 24X7 until September .

Are there any goose epidemic experts who can help?