In the Abbey Meadows there are now two circles where the grass and wild flowers are encouraged to grow. The inner circle is already full of delicate meadow grass and flowers, such as these Ragged Robin.
The outer circle has thicker grass, and some wild flowers including thistles. Yesterday volunteers were digging out the thistles to allow other flowers to thrive.
Today was sunny, and over the River Thames, in Rye Farm Meadow, a tractor was turning the grass with the wuffler, or hay spreader.
There were also lots of people out enjoying the countryside and the River Thames, watching boats at Abingdon Lock, and crossing the white water at Abingdon Weir. The Abbey Meadows play area, round the splash pad, was particularly popular.
The weed patch on Abbey Meadow has actually been there for two years or more. Abingdon Carbon Cutters dug the circles up and dumped a lot of soil which had to be cleared away. It really spoils the character of the Meadow and should be mowed over. This is the same group that wanted to build a road over the Meadow and/or Barton Fields. Fortunately for those enjoying today’s sunshine at Abingdon Weir as pictured, Abingdon Hydro was a complete, although expensive failure which means that nature can begin its slow return to normal after the group felled trees at the beginning of last year. They even had to pay to have them replaced.
It is a pity that the South Abingdon Residents group folded as in the early days of the group people put forward some good ideas to make South Abingdon a nicer place. Planting spring bulbs etc. Some ex council estates are pretty bleak. That is the only criticism I have of the Britain in Bloom scheme. Not enough is done in my opinion for the outlying estates.
I love Abbey Meadow and the lock and weir, and Rye Meadow. Since I moved to the centre of town it has become my local short walk, and I often love to rest at the weir and watch the grey wagtails catching flies, or the heron standing aloof by the water. We live in a very special place.
Hey Janet, I live in south Abingdon, there’s nothing to stop us from forming our own, new, residents society?