Frank’s 10th Anniversary at Abingdon Lock

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Frank, a beloved volunteer lock keeper at Abingdon Lock, was surprised and delighted with a celebration in his honour on Sunday. Frank has been an official volunteer lock keeper for the past 10 years, and did a couple of years before that unofficially. He is known for his friendly demeanor and willingness to help. He has the bunting from Sunday as a souvenir and some old photos of when he was a morris dancer.

The event was organized by a group of boaters and drew friends from far and wide. There was face painting, food, drink, music, and karaoke. Frank’s old Morris dancing team came to perform and stayed until late.

Frank had a wonderful time and was particularly amused by the face painting, which many people had done to look like him. “It was a lovely happy day,” he said, “put on by some lovely lovely people.”

The event was a testament to Frank’s popularity and the positive impact he has had on the community. He is a true asset to Abingdon and the Lock.

Thanks to the boaters, Karen and Bret, for the pictures on the day.

Former Mayors of Ock Street Honoured with Street Names in Abingdon

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The Abbey Fields Estate in Abingdon is being built, with new road names. In the case of Argyle Drive and Hemmings Lane, the latest two road names to appear, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council has honoured two former Mayors of Ock Street.

Argyle Drive is named after Leslie Argyle, who served as Mayor of Ock Street from 1980 to 1996.

Hemmings Lane is named after one of the many Hemmings who were Mayors of Ock Street, possibly Tom Hemmings, who served as Mayor from 1949 to 1960.

The Town Council uses a process to select street names that are relevant to the local area. They then pass them on to the District Council to make the final decision.

Sources:

Minutes from a Town Council Planning meeting: https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Planning-Advisory-19.7.21-notes-of-meeting.pdf

Mayors of Ock Street: http://atmd.org.uk/mayors-of-ock-street-photos/

New Barber and Vape shop opens in Abingdon

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A new barber and vape shop has opened in Abingdon town centre. The shop is located at 22 Stert Street, in the former premises of the Nursery Shop.

The barber previously traded off Spring Road in Abingdon before moving to Stert Street. It offers various services, including haircuts, beard trims, and shaves. The vape shop is accessed through the barber’s shop.

The shop’s opening follows the recent granting of planning permission for “alterations and change of use in order to create a mixed development comprising a retail unit and 9 flats.”

River Ock in Abingdon – August 2023

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One thing that has happened this month on the Ock Valley Walk is that some of the wood chip from some fallen and chopped up trees have been laid on the secondary path.

Other trees seem to be in a fixed half-fallen state.

I have not done as well as the Views of the Ock blog in photographing water voles. So far, I have seen no signs at all. But I did see a young moorhen today.

The parent bird was making sharp tweeting noises to keep track of its young among the reeds. The reeds are much thicker than they were a few years ago.

Where the fields were cut last month, Meadow Cranesbill are back in flower.

The blackberries are past their prime, but there are still plenty of other fruits for wildlife to enjoy. These include haws, elderberries, crab apples, and rosehips.

A discarded brolly in a dog pooh bin is a reminder that humans often try to tidy up after themselves.