The latest drawings, and a drawing style video, of the Abingdon Hydro are on view at abingdonhydro.co.uk. The project involves generating hydroelectric power from the Thames at Abingdon using two massive Archimedes screws.
LAPD Architects, at Culham Science Centre, produced the drawings. They will soon be producing a video with photographic images.
At the weekend I took this picture of the railing of the Hub youth centre in Abingdon …. “By Entering This Site You Are Agreeing To Have you Photo Taken.”
The previous weekend there was a fun day at the Hub where local young people were playing music and DJing. There were also information stalls from support groups. I forgot my camera that day.
The Abingdon Horse Show took place today. This well organised event features six riding arenas, some for show jumping and others for leading horses by hand, or more dressage style events.
The day was so hot that owners could be seen trying to keep their horses shaded as much as possible. I dare say there could have been even more competitors if it had not been so hot.
I watched show jumping in one riding arena. Most of the jumps had horizontal bars, in doubles or singles, which the horses jumped with ease, but one particular wavey bar caused a lot of problems – like jumping a visual illusion.
There were fun events such as fancy dress or the horse and hounds pictured above. First the hound had to jump round then the horse.
In times gone by Abingdon Races were held not far from this spot on Culham Heath. The 2 to 3 days of horse racing were held on what was then unenclosed land, near the River Thames. Press cuttings from the time give us a picture of those days. For example from entries in Jackson’s Journal from Sept 19. 1767. we can read that as well as the races on the “Fine Racing Ground” where “Horses may be seen quite round from an easy Eminence” there was also afterwards “a concert at the Council Chamber“, “a New Four Wheeled Post-Chaise raffled at the Crown and Thistle” and “A Cock Match at the New Inn, in Abingdon.”
Our town has an amazing Heritage. Some people even claim it is the oldest continually inhabited town in the country.
On the River Thames near Abingdon Bridge I saw this duck with 11 baby ducklings today – enough for a football team or a cricket team. They seem very late starters though for the cricket season.
Today was the start of the football season and it fell on one of the hottest days of the summer. Abingdon Town were at home to Ascot and won 3-1. (Abingdon United’s first home game is on Tuesday at 7:45pm against Swindon Supermarine.)
Today also saw the 57th running of the Rugby 7s competition at Abingdon Rugby Union Football Club.
There were also two games of cricket at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club. The 2nd XI were playing Kimble, and the 4th XI were playing Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rd team. The audience is increased by members of the Caravan Club who camp round the pitches, and often come in to town to shops and restaurants.