Danger of Flooding in Abingdon

Heavy rain from about 4 pm to midnight last night (Thursday) has led to the danger of flooding.

River Ock

This evening (Fri 5 Jan), a flood warning was issued at 9:30 pm, meaning property flooding is possible near the River Ock. I took this picture at about 3 pm at the gate to Chaunterell Way Park, and by 9:30 pm, the water was past the gate, and a group of anxious people were watching. The water would then flow into Chaunterell Way. The River Ock indicator shows the water level is still rising as I type this at 11 pm https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/7081.

Near the town centre, water from the River Ock is spilling out from Mill Stream Court and flooding Caldecott Road near the iron bridge.

The new flood wall has not totally protected St Helen’s Mill.

Tesco closed at around 3:45 pm because all access roads and the carparks were flooded. Staff were going home.

The new Premier Inn continues to operate. They have opened a gate directly onto Marcham Road to let customers in and out, as the Tesco access is flooded.

River Stert and Radley Brook in North Abingdon

Last night (Thursday/Friday) there was road flooding in North Abingdon with people anxiously watching water levels. Farm Road was still partly underwater on Friday morning (near the River Stert). Chilton Close, and Appleford Drive, were affected by the Radley Brook.

Some suspicion is being pointed at the new developments in North Abingdon near those watercourses.

There are a series of flood holding places in North Abingdon, new and old. The old one at Tilsley Park is full. I have not heard of any reports of properties flooding in North Abingdon.

River Thames

The River Thames is higher than yesterday but its flood plain is huge. Water was washing onto the road at St Helen’s Wharf. There is also road flooding at the junction of Preston Road and Wilsham Road, and along the Wilsham Road from the River Thames (possibly through the drains?).

The River Ock joins the River Thames at the Iron Bridge. Water here is high from both directions. This may be causing some backing up of water.

The River Thames Floodplain near Abingdon (yesterday and today)


Yesterday, you could just about walk the Thames path if you were careful and wore wellies.

The sun was shining, and there were some picturesque views.

One lot of new trees in Rye Farm Meadow was underwater.

Today, the River Thames has a muddier look. Walking along the river bank, even with wellies, would be unwise.

A notice at Abingdon Lock warns people of human sewage and hidden obstacles.

One of our local drone experts was taking pictures from Abingdon Bridge and from Abingdon Lock to be shown on his Facebook site, called fly4fun.

The water level was still rising near Abingdon Lock at 14:15. See https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/7073

Morris Dancing on New Year’s Day 2024


On New Year’s Day 2024, Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers performed outside the Punchbowl in Abingdon, and then the Broad Face. They were led by the Mayor of Ock Street, Roger Cox, and the Deputy Mayor, Harry Knight.

They had a good turnout with about twenty members.

Abingdon morris dancing is similar to other Cotswold dances, with the dancers wearing white clothes and waving handkerchiefs. But unlike other Cotswold teams, they don’t use sticks. You can learn more about them on their website: http://atmd.org.uk/abingdon-morris/.

I filmed one of their dances, called “The Curly-Headed Ploughboy.” This tune became famous after a man named Cecil Sharp heard it from a local musician in Abingdon in 1922. Now, it’s a popular song at pubs and festivals beyond Abingdon according to the reference: https://www.efdss.org/learning/resources/a-z/2548-efdss-learning-resources-curly-headed-ploughboy.

Strong winds and flooding of low level land


Abingdon was hit by strong winds today, and the heavy rains of previous days caused the River Ock to overflow and flood the surrounding area.

The path and fields near the Ladygrove Estate were submerged, but the water levels had peaked by evening, looking at the flood monitoring station.

At Tesco, the car park and central approach road were flooded, forcing customers to use the petrol station way instead.