Exploring the flood, runaway boat(s), and moving flood markers

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One feature of this flood is that people can explore the flood using the latest craze – stand up paddle boats (Steve’s Picture).

The runaway boat that got stuck on a field in 2013 finally got free in 2014 (Pat’s Picture).

Downstream from Abingdon Marina, a similar boat had been spotted – lodged between trees. So it has not got away from Abingdon yet.
 
People were saying today “water levels were higher yesterday”. So the flood mark at Abingdon Lock was possibly underwater then.

Finally thanks to Mark from Mostly Books for a youtube video exploring the floods with the children.

River Thames near the top of the T

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When I got back from work tonight the River Thames had reached the top of the T at the Iron Bridge in Abingdon.

Kevin was able to get some pictures during daylight that showed just what that meant… Abingdon Lock was underwater.

Thames Street was underwater.

The Water Feature in the Abbey Meadows was underwater.

(More pictures from Kevin who works at one of Abingdon’s greatest companies can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kev_holohan/sets/72157639586714013/ )

Thanks also to Andy Haynes who sent pictures yesterday.

The birds have the River Thames all to themselves …

and a lot of what is usually dry land.

Abingdon Cinemas and Cinema Plans

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Thanks to EMI (and Sean Currell’s  “The Dream Palaces of Oxfordshire”) for these pictures of the Picture Palace / Kinema / Pavilion Cinema that was in Stert Street in Abingdon from 1911 until 1949.

That cinema was joined in Abingdon, in 1935, by the 1000 seat Regal Cinema. The Regal carried on showing films until Bingo took over the building in 1976. Bingo ran for about 8 years, then further attempts were made to run The Regal as a cinema again.

Elizabeth sent me this picture of the final film to be shown at the Regal. It was the 1989 Batman film.

She also sent me this picture showing the Regal when it had become an eyesore – before demolition in 2003.

There have been other plans since for cinemas in Abingdon.

The Regal and land all the way to West St Helens Street was owned by the Co-op and Southern Electric, and locals pressed for a studio cinema to be part of any redevelopment of the area. (Herald 19.9.96)

The Vale of White Horse District Council then purchased the Regal site and lots of other land behind which they planned to regenerate. So when in 1998 the owner of the Regent Cinema in Wantage approached them with a plan to re-open the Regal as a three screen cinema he was turned down, as it compromised their bigger plans for the area. (Herald 5.2.98)

In 1999 there was a lot of excitement about plans for a 7 screen multiplex on Marcham Road. The Vale of White Horse District Council was fully behind the plan, but Oxfordshire County Council opposed the plan. In the end John Prescott in Westminster decided for them and  turned down the project.(Herald 27.6.99)

Thoughts then turned to the Old Gaol with plans to redevelop the sports centre as an arts complex – possibly including a cinema, which never happened.

The latest plans for a cinema comes from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council and forms part of the Guildhall redevelopment. The Guildhall would have a dedicated 100 seat cinema, and a multi-use assembly hall which could also show films. The Town Council has done a survey with the vast majority of people in favour.

Spotted Abingdon, Abingdon’s most liked facebook Site with 6640 likes to date, has created a different survey where people can express their opinions about various choices for Abingdon including the proposed cinema https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XDM9MX5.

Flood Water nearing the top of the O

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At lunchtime today there were a lot of interested people out with cameras and smart phones recording the floods.

Thanks to Kevin who sent me two images … The view towards Barton Fields …

and water flowing over the path near Abingdon Weir.

The level of the River Thames has leveled off at St Helen’s Wharf near the top of the letter O on the Iron Bridge. It was there at lunchtime and had not moved a few hours later.

Water is roaring downstream, towards Culham, and buffeting the boats tied up on the Wilsham Road railings, but at St Helens Wharf the water is gently washing over the pavement.