Bellway starts moving earth for New Housing Estate in North Abingdon

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Bellway has started work on a new housing estate in North Abingdon to be called Radley Reach. The development, located north of Twelve Acre Drive and east of Oxford Road, will build 371 new homes, including a new sports pavilion and playing pitches.

The first phase of the development has already begun, with the earth moving and laying the first entrance from Twelve Acre Drive and some signs. The development will also include a central area of retained trees, which will be known as St. Helen’s Park.

The existing footpath to Radley College driveway has been protected with fences for the moment and a diversion is planned.

Bath Street Gas Mains Replacement

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SGN, the gas distribution company for Southern England, is replacing old metal gas pipes with new plastic pipes in Abingdon. The new pipes are yellow because that is the standard colour for gas.

The work in Bath Street is scheduled to be completed on 1st September 2023. This is part of a larger programme of gas main replacement that is being carried out in phases across Abingdon.

Modern Statue of St Edmund of Abingdon in Oxford

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A modern statue of St Edmund of Abingdon can be seen in the grounds of St Edmund Hall in Oxford. The statue depicts the saint sitting on a bench, with a book in his hand. St Edmund was a man of learning and humility. He was born in Abingdon in about 1175, and he studied in Oxford before becoming a respected lecturer and eventually Archbishop of Canterbury.

If you want to learn more about St Edmund of Abingdon, you could try the blog of A Clerk of Oxford: https://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.com/2017/11/st-edmund-and-abingdon.html .

To see the statue yourself, visit St Edmund Hall, Queen’s Lane (OX1 4AR), open daily 10:00-16:00 for free.

A Family of Swans May Have Adopted Two Cygnets

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A family of swans caught by the swan uppers three weeks ago now appear to have six cygnets. The swans were initially seen with four cygnets before and at the swan upping, but they have since been seen with six cygnets.

I was told that the swans had been using the same territory as the family with four cygnets, from Abingdon Bridge to Wilsham Reach. Today, I saw the swans myself. One adult swan was preening at St Helen’s slipway; the other was out with six cygnets. I could see that at least four of the cygnets had rings, suggesting that they were caught by the swan uppers.

Two cygnets may have joined the family. Has anybody a better explanation of what has happened?