Wildflower / Truck Traffic Island

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Wildflower / Truck Traffic Island
The traffic island near Abingdon Business Park looks rather plain during the winter months, and then the weeds seem to take over, but as May is followed by June the island is transformed with a prolific display of wild flowers.
Wildflower / Truck Traffic Island
Corn poppies, ox-eye daisies, and blue cornflowers are particularly abundant. They need minimal maintenance, and make lots of pollen for the butterflies and bees.
Wildflower / Truck Traffic Island
Just beside that same roundabout there is a board advertising the Truck Festival. It is a festival that has been happening for about 15 years.
Wildflower / Truck Traffic Island
The Truck Festival takes place within Hill End Farm, Steventon, about three miles from Abingdon. About 5000 people attend and so it is on a friendlier more manageable scale than some music festivals. Barnival signs have appeared round the countryside to baffle those of us who are not in the know, but I gather it refers to the barn stage.

Opening the Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pools with a splash

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(Thanks to Lesley for the first 3 pictures and Peter for the last 2)
Opening the Abbey Meadows Open Air Pool
The Town Crier, Mr Peter Green, Officially Opening the Open Air Pool at 10am this morning – in the rain.
Opening the Abbey Meadows Open Air Pool
The popularity of the pool is very much dependent on weather, and the warmth of the water, and the Friends of Abingdon Outdoor Pool are keen to see the pool well used this year, and a few of them were there to open the season with a splash.
Opening the Abbey Meadows Open Air Pool
The Friends are running a competition on their website to win a free season ticket.
Opening the Abbey Meadows Open Air Pool
One factor in encouraging customers to use the pool is its appearance. With that in mind, the Friends of the Open Air Pool arranged  for volunteers, under supervision of the district council, to give it a make-over before the opening. The Mayor of Abingdon on Thames has already been featured by local press as taking part. Also worthy of note is that our local MP, Nicola Blackwood, did a stint.
Opening the Abbey Meadows Open Air Pool
As did Layla Moran, the local Lib-Dem Parliamentary Candidate in 2015. Waitrose provided refreshments.

Pool Open:
24th May – 1st September 2014
10am – 6pm Monday to Sunday

Timetable and Prices

Competition to Win Season Ticket and bid for signed front page of Oxfordshire Guardian with volunteers painting pool

I’m one in 380 million

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European Elections in Abingdon
As one of 380 million people in Europe entitled to vote I went into my local polling station: the Guildhall in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, and received a voting paper. The voting paper for our region, South East England, was very long and included 15 parties – most with ten candidates.

The elections are for membership to the European Parliament – the only directly elected EU institution, and one with great powers, but not easy to understand.

At a normal national or local election I would come home after voting, and watch with interest for the result. This time there will be no result until Sunday – when all nations have voted. Even then – given the complex political groupings in Europe – I won’t know who has won. The media here in the UK will concentrate on how well the UK parties have done – something we do understand.

Move of The Abingdon Bridge Imminent

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Move of The Abingdon Bridge
The Abingdon Bridge (TAB), who provide free support and advice to young people, are moving into new premises in the next few days. They are moving just up the road to 19 Bridge Street in what was the former County Police Station. This is a listed building which has been completely refurbished as part of The Old Gaol Redevelopment Programme.
Move of The Abingdon Bridge
The old premises were looking in need of a major refurbishment and that is what they will now get as they are converted to luxury apartments.
Move of The Abingdon Bridge
The work of The Abingdon Bridge includes promoting healthier lifestyles amongst young people as well as a sexual health programme, career guidance and 1:1 counselling. To support them financially visit their support page.