On Saturday, Tim Healey gave a talk to the Abingdon European Society on The Green Man in Britain and Europe.

As I understand it, having browsed the internet on the subject… The Green Man is a name coined by Lady Raglan in 1939 to fit a mediaeval carving. This one is to be found above the west porch of St Helen’s Church in Abingdon.

In St Nicolas, on the choir stalls, etched into the wood, are various images of Green Men. It looks like a pagan image to me, but one that people didn’t mind putting in and round their churches.

The other example I know of in Abingdon is the stone face beneath the Abbey Gateway – decorating one of the roof supports. The surrounding leaves suggest that he could soon turn into a full Green Man with more foliage coming from his mouth.

I don’t know how old these examples are, possibly only Victorian, so does anybody know the whereabouts of any more or how old these ones might be.

Today, we went to a talk given by Professor David Nutt – until recently the chief drugs advisor to the Home Office. It was at Seminar Room 1 in Coseners House – very nice too.

The meeting was introduced by Dr Evan Harris who has a keen interest in Science. Professor David Nutt was recently forced to resign, and appeared on the front pages of many British newspapers, after his studies and some of his pronouncements were out of step with government thinking on the subject of drugs.

I like how Abingdon Library, and maybe lots of other libraries beside, have made it more exciting choosing a book. For some time there has been the Quick Choice section.

But for the first time I noticed today they have introduced the Lucky Dip section. All you can see is a brown package and an ISBN number. It is like having a present to open, and if you don’t like it you can take it straight back.

Pictures taken on the dog walk this morning with the early sun lighting up Wilsham Road in South Abingdon…

Here are a few of the lucky house owners who have a view across the River Thames.

This large barge is a permanent fixture at the bottom of Saxton Road. It is being kitted out as part of one man’s project of a lifetime.