Albert Park Through the Year: July 2025

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Shaded paths and large areas of grass make Albert Park a welcome green space in Abingdon.

With the school summer holidays underway, the Albert Park has become a gathering place for families and friends. I took the photo above at the start of the holidays, when a large group had gathered in the shade of the trees for a picnic and some were playing volleyball.

The weather throughout most of July has been dry, with just a little rain. The grass has looked parched at times, and some trees have shown signs of stress.

Wildflowers have been fewer than in earlier months. However, there are lots of these yellow dandelion-like flowers towards the bottom of the park (Hawksweed or Hawksbit?).

White yarrow is still holding its own near the bowling green hedge. Jackdaws, magpies, and crows can still be seen strutting and prodding the ground for food, as well as wood pigeons which are more often perched in the trees.

Birdsong has been less noticeable this month, as many smaller birds go quiet during their summer moult.

Among the trees, the Golden Rain Tree has been in bloom with its yellow flowers.

The Japanese Pagoda Tree has also flowered.

Most of the bushes and trees have turned their energy toward producing fruit, nuts, or seeds. The smoke bush has seed plumes which create a smoky haze.

P.S. I’ve done my best to identify the trees, flowers, and shrubs pictured — but let me know if I’ve got any of them wrong.

Boundary Stone Puzzles

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Paul has sent me pictures of two boundary stones recently. Here’s what we know. It’s a puzzle.

The first stone is on the Drayton Road, wedged between a wall and a bush, almost hidden behind a streetlight. The inscription faces a brick wall just a few inches away, and many of the letters have worn away with time.
The text appears to read something like:

?0 YARDS FROM
THE BRIDGE
?LONG THE???
HENCE IN ?
??RAIGHT ???
?? JUNCTION OF
?HE OCK RIVER
WITH THE LARK
??LL STREAM

With a bit of guesswork, it may originally have read:

“?0 YARDS FROM
THE BRIDGE
ALONG THE [PATH?]
HENCE IN A
STRAIGHT LINE
TO THE JUNCTION OF
THE OCK RIVER
WITH THE LARK
HILL STREAM”

This suggests a boundary line to the bridge on Drayton Road and then to a place where the River Ock meets the Lark Mill Stream. 
The second stone is on the Faringdon Road, directly opposite the entrance to Larkmead School. Paul cleared back some of the vegetation to reveal it properly. This one appears to have a carved cross at the top — likely the Abingdon Borough cross — and below that, some worn letters. One line may read MEN, possibly part of the word PARLIAMENTARY, and beneath that UNDA, which might be part of the word BOUNDARY.

Both stones appear to mark out old administrative or land boundaries.

Abingdon Signs Domestic Abuse Charter

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Today in the Roysse Room, Abingdon Town Council hosted what the Mayor, Cllr Rawda Jehanli, described as “such a special day for Abingdon” — the signing of the Abingdon-on-Thames Domestic Abuse Charter. It was also announced that the charity Reducing the Risk will work with the town to make Abingdon the first official Torchbearer Town in a new initiative to tackle domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is more widespread than many realise, affecting 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men at some point in their lives. That would equate to 3400 women and 2200 men in Abingdon. While it may involve physical violence, which is more easily recognised, it also includes emotional abuse, coercive control, financial abuse and dominating behaviour. The charter focuses on prevention through education and awareness, as well as developing and promoting support for those experiencing abuse.

The event featured moving personal stories from survivors, highlighting the lasting impact abuse can have. A local lawyer offered insights into the legal challenges victims often face, and The Abingdon Bridge, a charity supporting young people, spoke about the effect early exposure to abuse can have on young lives.

The charter was formally signed by the Mayor, the Town Clerk, and representatives from The Abingdon Bridge and Reducing the Risk.

Cllr Gwyneth Lewis, who first championed this cause during her time as Mayor, led the meeting and is seen holding the charter alongside the current Mayor.

Gwyneth Lewis carried out important studies in women’s health and identified domestic abuse as a major issue. Since returning to Abingdon, she has worked to make this a local priority — both during her mayoral year and beyond.

Representatives from Reducing the Risk explained how Abingdon, as a Torchbearer Town, will develop approaches to Prevention, Provision (or support), and Protection in tackling domestic abuse. The work done here will  be evaluated with the aim of sharing successful initiatives with other towns across Oxfordshire and beyond.

Abingdon 100 Years Ago – July 1925

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Found Drowned Near the Rookery
A shadow was cast over the town on Thursday when four-year-old Esther Harper, of 22 The Abbey, drowned near the Rookery. She had gone out to play in the afternoon and did not return. Her brother Edward, aged 13, on arriving home from school, went in search and found her body floating by the riverbank. Despite efforts by passers-by and the police to revive her, life was declared extinct by Dr H. S. Challenor. At Friday’s inquest, the jury returned a verdict of “Found Drowned.”

Motor Fatality at Lodge Hill
An inquest was also held for Miss Diana Sybil Seal, a 21-year-old Oxford dancer, who died when a car skidded at Lodge Hill. The driver, an undergraduate from Christ Church, was cleared of blame. Evidence suggested that a Ford van coming the other way, poor visibility due to an elm tree, and a burst tyre led to the skid. The car toppled over and back and all the cars passengers except the driver were thrown from the car. The deceased suffered a severe head injury. A fellow passenger confirmed the car was going no faster than 25 miles per hour and that the driver was not intoxicated. They had drunk a bottle of wine between them in Abingdon. The elm tree has since been removed to improve safety at the brow of the hill. Sympathy was send to the family of the deceased.

Mr Joe James Passes Away
Mr Joe James, one of the oldest bricklayers in the town, of 44 West St Helen Street, passed away on Tuesday aged 76. A lifelong Abingdonian, he married at St Helen’s Church in 1870 and had been a member of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers for three decades. He was laid to rest on Thursday at the Cemetery.

Concerns Over Refuse Collection
A letter sent to the Herald signed by about thirty local ratepayers protested recent changes to refuse collection. The signatories warned that with already poor housing conditions, the reduction in collection frequency would expose families — especially those with young children — to further health risks. They urged a return to at least twice-weekly removal, especially in the heat.

Court Fines and Local Offences
At the Borough Court, Margaret Couldrey of Ock House and Charles J. Douglas of Oxford Road were each fined 5 shillings for keeping a dog without a licence. Roy Gilbert of Bath Street was fined £1 for failing to produce his motor licence when summoned.

A Day Out for the Infants School
Around 106 children from the Church of England Infants School, led by Miss Ingram and her staff, enjoyed an outing to Sheepstead House. They played games and were served tea on the lawn. Rain cut the afternoon short, but the children returned home tired and content.

Garden Party at Northcourt House
Mr and Mrs Tatham hosted seventy residents from the Institution at a garden party in the grounds of Northcourt House. Games were played, prizes awarded, and tea served on the lawn. In response to their hospitality, the guests gave three hearty cheers on the proposals of the Master of the Institution.

Bathing Place Open to Women
In light of the hot weather, the Borough Highways Committee has approved opening the bathing place to women on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to noon.

Founder’s Day at Roysse’s School
Today, Roysse’s School marked Founder’s Day with a service at St Helen’s Church and prize-giving at the Corn Exchange. Yesterday’s regatta on the Wilsham Reach preceded tomorrow’s cricket match between the School and the Old Abingdonians.

Fascists Hold Garden Fête
A garden fête organised by the British Fascists (North Berks area) took place at Square House, lent by Mr T. Skurray. There were side-shows, folk dancing, music by Rowlinson’s Band, and in the evening dancing on the lawn. The President, Brigadier R.D.B. Blakeney, addressed the gathering, claiming the movement was misunderstood and stood for law, order, and anti-communism. He defended the group’s adoption of a “foreign name,” likening it to enjoying macaroni or riding in a charabanc.

Service at the United Free Church
At the United Free Church, Pastor E. Newell from Longworth Mission preached from the words: “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” He reminded the congregation that true greatness lies not in self-seeking but in service, as shown by their Master.

Local Platoon Prepares for Camp
The local platoon of the 4th Royal Berkshire Regiment will depart for camp in Weymouth on Sunday, August 2nd. A strong turnout of all ranks is urged for next week’s parades in preparation for a marching demonstration, building on the platoon’s fine reputation.

Thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library and the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette from the British Newspaper Archive. The picture of the fireman is from the Oxford Journal. The adverts are from the North Berks Herald and the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette.