Reynolds Way Floral Displays

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Abingdon Town Council have put some tubs with floral displays outside the shops at Reynolds Way. Forno also have their own enclosure with flowers.

However all is not as good as it could be. There have been two shops closed for nearly two years. McColl’s Newsagent and Post Office closed two year ago. The Chinese takeaway / chip shop closed soon after.

The three litter bins, outside the shops, were removed by Vale of White Horse District Council, and they were needed.

There has been some scaffolding holding up the Reynolds Way wall for about 18 months. The wall with community art murals is the back of a row of garages owned by Sovereign Vale Housing. Work could be pending but it is taking time.

Abingdon Community Fridge – new venue

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Margaret sent this …

The Fridge collects surplus food from local supermarkets and distributes to the community, thus saving tons of food waste. The scheme is going from strength to strength and has moved to a new venue. Everyone is welcome!

New location is Hadland Road Community Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3YH.

New Opening Hours are:
Monday 5 – 6 pm
Thursday 2 – 3 pm
Saturday 10.30 – 11.30 am

Abbey Meadow outdoor pool to reopen throughout the school holidays

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A press release came out on 18th June from Vale of White Horse District Council

The Abbey Meadow outdoor pool in Abingdon will reopen on Monday 12 July, and will remain open throughout the school holidays until early September.

Despite the financial pressure on councils and leisure providers caused by Covid-19, the council and GLL have now managed to find a way to ensure the pool can open.

Some Covid-19 social distancing measures will be in place to ensure the pool can be used safely, and so visitors will need to book in advance via the Better UK smartphone app or on the Better UK website. The pool will run with a reduced capacity while government Covid-19 restrictions remain in place, and a one-way route will be in place in the changing rooms.

Following the government’s recent announcement to delay the latest stage of their roadmap, the splash pad at Abbey Meadow will reopen shortly after the pool from the 19 July. These splash pads are relatively small and impossible for the council and GLL to implement social distancing while they’re in use.

June Funfair and Morris Dancers on Ock Street

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Along Ock Street are posters for a funfair at Ladygrove Meadow, beside the River Ock. NHS Staff with IDs can ride for free.

Abingdon once boasted seven fairs. The Michaelmas Fair is still very large and successful. There was also a Ock Street Fair in June. And the Funfair says ‘glad to be back’. I am not sure it is the same one.

A sign at the fairground entrance lists the Covid-19 rules and regulations.

The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were dancing outside the Brewery Tap, off Ock Street, at around 3 pm.

Mr Harry Knight was made the mock mayor of Ock Street for next year without the usual election – because of Covid-19 rules and regulations.

Also present was Roger Cox, a previous mock mayor of several years. He now prefers to carry the real mantle of power – a pig’s bladder. He is officially called the fool. In Shakespeare, fools are clever commoners that use their wits to outdo Lords and Kings. In Abingdon, fools are clever commoners who use their wit and pigs bladder to drive Morris Dancers.

The horns are taken from a black ox, roasted on the Bury in Abingdon in the year 1700. An argument broke out between the men of Ock Street and the men of The Vineyard over the ownership of the horns. The horns were wrestled over the Ock Street finishing line after a determined battle between the men of both streets. The Ock Street men got to keep the horns and are still showing them off over three hundred years later.