for between the Abbey Vale cricket grounds and the river, a tree has fallen

and shortly afterward a neighbouring tree also fell. Their roots shared the same ground. They leaned together through many a cold winter. They fell together just before leafy spring.

Nearby the daffodils are still in flower

and everything is alright with the world. As Auden might have put it:

“… In Abingdon’s Rookery for instance: how everything turns away
Quite leisurely from the disaster; as two trees fall
The daffodils dance gayly on, hardly noticing a momentary shudder,…”

“They took all the trees, and put em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them
No, no, no, don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone
They paved paradise, and put up a parkin’ lot“

These swans float among the flotsom and jetsum of tree parts fallen in the lake.

They swans will need to find another home when the lake is paved with ash.

300+ people came to protest.

and lots and lots of frogs… pa pa pa pa pa
They paved paradise, and put up a parkin’ lot

The Broad Face pub near the bridge has been serving Fair Trade beveridges for many years. Mellie Ferrier, who runs the pub, is the spokesperson of the Abingdon Fair Trade Group, who have helped get Abingdon Fair Trade status.

But really it is due to all the people out there who buy Fair Trade and encourage the shops and businesses to stock Fair Trade.

This morning there was a stall, and coffee and tea available for The Big Brew at St Nics Church. The picture is of Chris Caddy who has been out and about over the last two weeks doing Fairtrade assemblies and talks in the Abingdon Schools.