Abingdon, Oh Abingdon

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Thankyou to Margaret for this poem about Abingdon. In October I will produce a book called ‘Ten poems about Abingdon’ which will include ten poems selected and edited by a local published poet.
Lidl
Abingdon, Oh Abingdon, what a lovely place to live,
You’ve seen so much and have so much to give.
You started as a crossing across the river Thames,
then the monks came along and chose the spot
to build their abbey, which gave the folk a lot
of work and commerce, stability and peace,
till Henry declared that all abbeys should cease.
Chaos ensued, but in their place
Churches were built, the Market came, life went on apace.
Streets and alleyways were erected up and down
till Abingdon was declared the County town.

The iconic County Hall was erected too
and things all around were bursting with life.
Factories were built with jobs for all comers
in winter, spring and through all summers.
Wars were fought, camps were built
with local men called to fight to the hilt,
then after the war Morris cars were built.

The river flowed on, pleasure boats were seen
and Abingdon people were always keen
to catch the Thrown Buns, a novel way we note
to celebrate events. And now when another
peril threatens our lives we all work together.
We help each other with shopping and chores
as most of us cannot go outdoors.
So live on, Abingdon, your history shows
that you survived all these years
and will continue to do so, despite all our fears.

Margaret Langsford

Building Work in January 2021

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There are a couple of developments in Abingdon as we head through another new year.
Lidl
Fairacres Phase 2 is nearing completion. The shells of the buildings with windows are complete. The carpark area has been painted. The Lidl looks finished outside apart from signage. Shop fitting could well be proceeding inside.
Lidl
Kings Gate is at the beginning. There is one muddy area bounded by the A34, Wootton Road, Dunmore Road and play area, and Tilsley Park. Earth movers are piling earth and creating the outline of tracks.
Lidl
New pedestrian lights have been put in across the Dunmore Road.

Ice and Birds

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Ice and Birds
Temperatures have not gone much over freezing since Sunday’s snow. There are still places where it is icy and slippery under foot and where caution is required. I have had many unexpected slips on ice in the past, starting with a broken arm falling off my tricycle – aged four.

Yesterday we walked through the Abbey Gardens and along the Mill Stream and beyond.
Ice and Birds
There were two swans near the concrete bridge near the swimming pool.
Ice and Birds
A heron was stood further along, partly hidden.
Ice and Birds
At Barton Fields there were lots of small birds on the bird feeders.
Ice and Birds
Robins were singing along most of the route. One at Radley Lakes stayed long enough for a picture.
Ice and Birds
Most of the birds were some way away at Thrupp Lake but the ice did mean the very muddy parts were not quite so muddy.

Coming back along the cycle way, a red sign indicated Abingdon as 1.75 miles away. So that made yesterday’s walk about 4 miles and we got home without falling.

Abingdon Peace Group celebrates UN treaty to ban nuclear weapons

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ban nuclear weapons
Last Friday the first-ever UN treaty to ban nuclear weapons came into effect. The day was marked on Abingdon Market Place by the Abingdon Peace Group.

The treaty prohibits signatories from producing, stockpiling, selling and using nuclear weapons. The treaty was passed by the UN in 2017, with 123 countries voting for and 38 voting against. It has so far been ratified by 52 states and others are in the process. Signatories are mostly from Africa, Latin America and Asia.
ban nuclear weapons
They include some European nations including Ireland. Will the UK follow? The archbishops of Canterbury and York, and many bishops of both Anglican and Catholic dioceses have publicly called on the UK government to sign it.

There are an estimated 13,400 nuclear weapons worldwide. Such weapons are overwhelmingly owned by the USA, and Russia. Other countries with nuclear weapons include: China, France, UK, Pakistan, India, North Korea and probably Israel. Signatories do not include any countries that own these nuclear weapons or any Nato members.

Thankyou to Feng Ho for the pictures.