Improvements to a Footpath at Radley Lakes

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The footpath at the southwest corner of Thrupp Lake was muddy and impassable due to a wet winter.

A 250-meter section of the footpath has now been upgraded by the Radley Lakes Trust. Vegetation was cleared along the route by volunteers. Path sides were installed and filled with fine gravel by a contractor. The path is now being used, and the gravel is starting to settle.

On a wet day like today, the contrast between the muddy paths around and the new path is striking.

Volunteers will install a new gate and fence at the entrance off the cycleway from Abingdon.

More Artweeks Art in Central Abingdon

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In Abingdon Library there will be three artists in residence this week. First was Louis Williams, a comic book artist and illustrator whose work can be found in independent comics, zines and the soon-to-be-released graphic novel ‘The Crossing.’ He will also be leading a Zine-making workshop at One Planet Abingdon. See https://oneplanetabingdon.org/etn/overgrowth-zine-making-workshop-09-06-2024/.
Above Willow’s Shake Shop, The Abingdon Artist Collaboration have an exhibition, and at the centre of it is Harry, the Supreme Leader. Harry has been given that title by the gamers of the Grim Dark Gaming Society who usually play games up there. Harry is seen among long strands representing mycelium. I was told that ‘Fungi obtain nutrients through the fibrous root like mycelium, and it could also acts as a means of communication between trees, whose roots are connected to each other through the mycelium of fungi. This allows the tree to send and receive information and nutrients to the surrounding trees.’ The artwork also includes glowing toadstools.

At the Abbey Cinema, a group of artists are exhibiting. The linking factor between them seems to be that they have done courses, whether at Abingdon and Witney College, the Ashmolean Museum or elsewhere, with Tatiana Wise. This is John with two of his pictures. He has been doing a beginners art group with Tatiana.

At St Nicolas Church, the Abbey Group are exhibiting. They are all well known in Abingdon as talented and prolific artists. The pews are full because Margaret Horton is selling off pictures to clear her studio.

Farewell to the Band Hut: Abbey Brass Band Looks to the Future

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In 1986, the Abbey Brass Band acquired six portacabins from Culham and assembled them next to the Open Air Pool near the Abbey Meadow. Band members and their families put a lot of effort into transforming those portacabins into a space where the band could rehearse and train.

The Band Hut has served the band well for over 30 years, until early 2020. Many young people have first played a brass instrument in that ‘temporary’ hut.

Unfortunately, a survey conducted in September 2020 by the Vale of White Horse revealed the hut was no longer fit for purpose. The roof was beginning to sag and it was vulnerable to vandalism.

Demolition has been happening over the last week, and the final section of the structure was demolished today. The land where the band hut stood will be cleared and levelled.

The band performed at the Mayor Making last week. They now rehearse in Fitzharrys School. See https://www.abbeybrass.com/.

Oxfordshire Artweeks is here!

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This three-week festival celebrates visual arts across the county, with the final week showcasing artists in South Oxfordshire, from May 18th to 27th.

Abingdon has a lot of artistic talent on display this year with about a dozen exhibitions and studios. Find all the details on the website https://www.artweeks.org/, in art trail leaflets, or in the full festival magazine.

One exhibition space that is new to me is the 3rd floor of The Charter, Broad Street, Abingdon. The Charter Studios is organised by Makespace Oxford who look to use underused buildings. Some of the artists have studios there and are displaying their work.

The 3rd floor can be reached by lift or stairs and it is interesting to look around and see the variety of artwork.

There are also the results of some community projects, organised by Makespace Oxford, such as a postcard project.