While exploring Abingdon’s green spaces, I also discovered where the Abingdon Monk has been retired. The wooden monk once stood on the roundabout near Fairacres and Tesco. After toppling over once, it was propped back up with a splint,
but when it fell again it was found to be too rotten to repair. There was a split running from head to side.
Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council has now given the monk a new purpose as a bug hotel, placed among the naturally decaying tree trunks at Boxhill Wood. The sculpture was originally created for a Britain in Bloom project, commissioned by Abingdon Town Council and sponsored by the Abbey Press. People used to dress it up for festive and other occasions.
There has been talk of a replacement. Other towns have their own wooden monks (including one in Cirencester), but for now there is no Abingdon monk.
I honestly thnik that there should be some sort of a replacement. This is the first roundabout that people come to off the A34.
Bang on cue…
Ask Tesco to pay for one.
A sponsorship combo of local stores would be nice.
Although wood is lovely, it also deteriorates quick. Shame it couldn’t be metal, how much would that cost (and would it be pinched?)
I agree Janet, there should be a replacement. My suggestion would be a barbers chair as that sums up Abingdon at the moment.
I actually think the roundabout would be a good location for flats. 6 at least easily.
Or a Barber / charity shop combo, which sells coffee. Browse bric a brac and sip a hot beverage while you wait for a trim. Business model idea there!