The Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool opened today for six weeks. The pool normally opens in May but due to the increased cost of heating the pool (*) the council took the decision to reduce the season to what should be the most popular time, the summer holidays.
The timetable of hours can be seen at https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/vale-of-white-horse/abbey-meadows-outdoor-pool/timetable.
Prices are up on last year but annual inflation generally is running at over 9%.
Adult is £5.35 (£4.90 in 2021)
Child is £3.30 (£3.10 in 2021)
1 Adult and 1 or 2 Under 3’s is £5.35
* A VWHDC press release said heating costs for the pool were expected to be around £107,000, compared to £47,000 in previous seasons. Presumably that is for a full season.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse greeted young children on Abingdon Market Place.
Mr Hemmings Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were dancing.
Ashnah were dancing.
The Abingdon Music Centre Community Choir were singing.
Many shops had pink displays on the day, including the fabulous Fabulous Flowers.
You could get a sparkling tattoo and raise money for the Against Breast Cancer charity. Buy pink cakes, go on the tombola, go on the water or wine stall and raise money for the Against Breast Cancer charity.
All part of the Splash of Pink day to raise money for the Against Breast Cancer charity. + There was a free bike inspection service operating under the County Hall to encourage you to use your bike,
and an open day at the Abingdon-on-Thames Fire Station to start the school holidays with fun, games and adventure.
The swan uppers returned to Abingdon for the first time since 2019.
In 2020, there was no swan upping because of Covid restrictions.
In 2021, the five-day census of the River Thames’ swans was reduced to three days and did not reach Abingdon.
In 2022, the five-day census is back with a change. Record temperatures meant cygnets were examined in the boats with a lighter touch – to reduce the stress.
On Friday morning, the convoy of rowing boats and motorboats set off from Caversham for their final day, ending in Abingdon.
Some people at Abingdon Sailing Club kept an Abingdon family of two adults and eight cygnets feeding at the bank until the swan uppers were in sight.
The man steering the first skiff shouted ‘Swan Up!’ to indicate swans ahead. The uppers surrounded the swan family.
Seven of the cygnets were caught for examination. The adult swans were kept in a reasonably good mood.
But one cygnet got away. She/he was pursued by the Royal Swan motorboat downstream and across the river. Having escaped that chase, the cygnet returned to be near her/his parents, and the Royal Swan motorboat made another attempt. The cygnet made another dash through a flotilla of boats.
The examination of the seven other cygnets continued. Only after they were released did the chase for the final cygnet cease.
The swan uppers then rowed through Abingdon to Abingdon Bridge.
The swan uppers stood and turned to face the crowd on the bridge and toast the Queen.
The swan uppers then disembarked at Nags Head Island.
The family of swans went to one of their stops to forget their encounter with the Royal swan uppers.
Seven of the cygnets have a ring on their legs.
The postbox is wearing a tea-cosy bra. That can only mean that Against Breast Cancer (a charity based in Abingdon) is returning with their annual Splash of Pink on Abingdon Market Place on Saturday. There will be an assortment of stalls, together with supporting characters like the Star Wars stormtroopers.
For the last fortnight, shops have displayed pink ribbons, balloons and bunting. Their displays will be considered for the best-dressed shop window competition.
Throwing Buns have pink balloons, ribbons, bunting, bras and cakes.
The Finishing Touch has pink flowers, ponchos, bunting, umbrellas and balloons.
Chic It Up have pink flamingoes, flowers, bunting and balloons.
National chains like Starbucks and Holland & Barrett have pinked up.
The cutting bar focused on the pink ribbon – the international symbol of breast cancer awareness.
