Monthly Archives: March 2013

Unstable Banks

7 Replies

The sun has been shining and river levels are back to normal.
Unstable Banks
I noticed for the first time today that fences have been erected near Abingdon Bridge with notices warning of unstable banks.
Unstable Banks
A hole has developed at one point, but the fence is quite extensive, and has reduced the amount of free mooring.

There was another hole in the tarmac path just the other side of the bridge last spring, which got repaired, and there is still the hole in St Helen’s Wharf awaiting repairs.
Unstable Banks
On this old postcard (I have a copy but not the copyright) the River Thames looks barely navigable near Abingdon Lock with all the small islands and the moldering banks. If there were nobody to maintain the river I guess it might revert to such a state within a couple of generations.

Thoughts on seeing the Green Gym in the Ock Valley

2 Replies

Ock Valley Path
It must be about twelve years ago that Peter Green, then a councillor at the town council, managed to get the main path put along the Ock Valley Walk. Before then there was just an undefined mud path. Peter also organised groups of volunteers to regularly cut down the Himalayan Balsam.
Ock Valley Path
The Green Gym have taken over the volunteer side of things. They were out at the weekend tending to the trees they planted two years ago, and cutting back brambles.
Ock Valley Path
They were picking litter. I spoke to Lucy who regularly picks litter as she walks down that way. She was amazed that the Green Gym had filled so many blue and clear sacks. But then they did go beyond the main path into the undergrowth and under the bridges.
Ock Valley Path
The Green Gym were also relaying the secondary path with shredded Christmas Trees. It is good that this material is getting recycled but it won’t last like wood-chip.

The main path is not their responsibility but is something the council will have to tackle when they feel the time is right.

Announcing Equus at the Unicorn

1 Reply

Equus
John Crowley plays many roles in Abingdon. On some occasions he is the master of ceremonies for Market Place events or shows at the Guildhall. On Saturday he was the Town Crier – announcing that Abingdon Drama Club will be performing Equus at the Unicorn Theatre later this week – 6th – 9th March – 7:30pm. In that play John will become the psychiatrist who tries to cure a young man with a pathological fascination for horses. John said they have a particularly strong cast for this play.

Salinas 3

87 Replies

Salinas
People who have lived in Abingdon more than a couple of years may well remember Salinas, a Lebanese Restaurant that used to be next to Skinny Hippo.

Mr Salinas, whatever his real name, also runs a more informal restaurant in Didcot, on Broad Street, called Salinas 2.

It looks like he he is coming back again to Abingdon, with a more informal looking Cafe / Bar where the Abingdon Flower Shop once was on Bath Street.

Most of the decorating has already been done. The front is painted Salinas-brown. It will be opening soon.