Spike says … ‘The Old Anchor re-opened its doors yesterday for the second time in less than 12 months. The new female manager, Rebecca, will be living on site with assistance from Lee this week and under the umbrella of the Landlord from The Shepherds Hut over at RAF Benson. They are holding an open night this Saturday for customers to sample their new Tappas menu. The chef is half Spanish and experienced in the pub trade so let’s hope this time it’s a great success.’

The first picture was taken nearly two weeks ago. The second was this afternoon when the fast flow of the River Thames was met by a strong headwind from Culham – producing some waves.

Residents of Culham and Sutton Courtney look likely to be successful in being allowed to generate electricity from the River Thames at Sutton Pools.

The Abingdon Hydro project did not go ahead a year ago because quotes for building the hydro came in well above the budgeted figures, and time was running to start generating electricity in time to get a preferential tariff from central government. As a result the local people who invested in the scheme got most of their money back.

Looking at the almost complete Culham / Sutton Courteney project you can see they have been allowed to put three turbines in a far more central position as part of the existing weir (Abingdon Hydro were allowed two turbines at the side).

The Culham project also has better access with a temporary road across the fields; and behind the project is a local professional company, Hallidays Hydropower, based in Dorchester-on-Thames, who have undertaken other projects since being set up in 2007.

The fish pass also looks far simpler than the one designed for the Abingdon Hydro where less room was allowed.

New Abingdon-on-Thames town entry signs have been put up in place of the previous signs saying just ‘Abingdon’.

There are some signs in new locations like the one in Margaret Brown Gardens welcoming people who approach by the River Thames.