Monthly Archives: June 2017

Farmers Market – Reunion seventeen years on

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Farmers Market
Lesley Legge, a Town Councillor, and Kevin Clare, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce started researching other local Farmers’ Markets in November 1999.
Farmers Market
They met with the Monday Market representatives and got in touch with farmers locally involved in Farmers’ Markets. One of the hurdles at the time was the Market Acts which only allowed a Monday Market in Abingdon, and so initially the Farmers’ Market was held on Monday once a month – some of the stalls were under the County Hall, and some by the Abbey Archway.
Farmers Market
Audrey Hasnip was the Mayor at the opening in April 2000. The Town Clerk at the time was Brian Tonkin. Jill and Joy, volunteers from EarthWatch, looked after the rents and checked all was well for  the first two years.

Peter Green chaired the meetings about the Market after Lesley Legge became Mayor in May 2000. and with Nigel Warner after Brian retired. Between them they sorted out the Market Acts. Nowadays the Farmers’ Market is on third Friday of each month.

Thanks to Johnny Morrison for the pictures, and Lesley Legge for the details.

Scythes not strimmers at the Abbey Fishponds

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Abbey Fishponds
The Abbey Fishponds is a small wetland nature reserve that runs between Radley Road and Audlett Drive in Abingdon, with houses either side.
Abbey Fishponds
The wetland part is made of ponds, seasonal ponds, sedges, reedbeds, and a brook that runs from end to end.
Abbey Fishponds
The Earth Trust is now responsable for the reserve, having taken over from BBOWT a couple of years ago. This week The Earth Trust roving Wildlife Wednesday event took place at the Abbey Fishponds. It was a chance to look for local wildlife and have lots of outdoor fun.
Abbey Fishponds
In the centre of the site is an embankment, known locally as ‘Daisy Bank’, which gave the idea that these could have been Abbey Fishponds.
Abbey Fishponds
On the first Saturday of the month a team of volunteers help to look after the area, and I believe they will be out from about 10:30, although you can check if interested. They will be using scythes not strimmers.

By the way June 1st is the start of the Oxford Festival of Nature. And the Worldwide City Daily Photo have their June 1st Theme Day on Nature.