Category Archives: River Thames

Abingdon-on-Thames for the first time in 2012

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(Pictures of boats on the Thames in Abingdon taken last Sunday)
Abingdon-on-Thames
As far as I can gather 2012 is the first time that Abingdon has officially been called Abingdon-on-Thames.
Abingdon-on-Thames
Looking through Around Abingdon – Archive Photographs compiled by Nigel Hammond, I do see that shops and businesses did use Abingdon-on-Thames extensively on adverts in the early 1900s.  There are also some road signs with the words Borough of Abingdon-on-Thames – but I cannot find evidence it was ever the official name before now.
Abingdon-on-Thames
Looking through Abingdon directories in the library from 1860 through to 1973 I just see the words ‘The Borough of Abingdon ‘ above the Borough Arms.
Abingdon-on-Thames
Does anybody know better?

We could be living in Abingdon-On-Thames by Thursday

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Abingdon On Thames
On Wednesday evening the Vale of White Horse District Council will vote on whether to change the name of Abingdon to Abingdon-On-Thames.

The motion will be decided during the same meeting that the council decides the budget for next year – so it could be a long evening.
Abingdon On Thames

The council say “there is no requirement for any public consultation” but they did issue a press release inviting the public to submit any views.

As a result they have 6 people responding in favour, including Nicola Blackwood MP who favours the “opportunity for Abingdon, to brand itself“.

There were 7 against.

Views round Nags Head Island, Abingdon, Oxfordshire

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Views from Nags Head Island
Thanks to Spike for this wonderful sunny view from a kayak taken a day or two ago. You can just see Nags Head Island on the left.

Getting this picture gave me the excuse to use a few more pictures of Abingdon-on-Thames taken over the weekend. They are views round Nags Head Island.
Views from Nags Head Island
Abingdon Boat Centre / Kingcraft Chandlery and Quayside Services.
Views from Nags Head Island
The further end of the island with the striking Red Dragon boat, and the even more striking spire of St Helen’s Church.
Views from Nags Head Island
Looking over the River Thames towards the cricket field, with some frosty trees in the foreground.
Views from Nags Head Island
The Old Gaol – old buildings.
Views from Nags Head Island
Old Gaol – new buildings.
Views from Nags Head Island
And a swan coming to see if I have any food.
Views from Nags Head Island
I must not forget that there is also a pub – called the Nags Head – for sale – over the bridge, on the other half of the island.

Christmas Holidays extended …

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Swans Holiday
On a walk to Culham and back I took a picture of a swan and then an almost grown cygnet at the old Culham bridge where Swift Ditch rejoins the Thames.
Swans Holiday
They paddled upstream at a steady pace, met up with a larger group of swans, and then paddled past.

Some people are preparing to go back to work after the Christmas break. Other people, working on essential / caring services, have never stopped.

The company I work for asks employees to save three of their annual holidays to use at this time of year – so that the company can close down for the week between the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.  So I am now into extended Christmas Holiday.
Swans Holiday
As for swans, every day has its routine. They need to check out their territory, find food, and ward off any dangers, etc…  That routine cannot be called either work or leisure. Swans don’t get holidays.