Abingdon Lock walk returning by Kingfisher Barn

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We saw Frank and other volunteers at Abingdon Lock today. Frank said that every day he sees somebody or a boat, that he has not seen since the first lockdown.

Salter Steamers are no longer running the daily Oxford to Abingdon service. They only come to Abingdon if they get a party booking. The Salter Steamer website says they only run the Oxford – Abingdon service if they get Pre Booked Groups of 40 or more. They seem to be running more round trips centered on Oxford including the Alice in Wonderland Cruise – a 2.5-hour round trip taking in views of Iffley Lock and Port Meadow.

There are lots of boats passing through Abingdon Lock. Last weekend they had 19 boats meeting near the Lock – all of the same boat type. Frank did say but my memory is not sure. It could have been Fairline.

Upstream from Abingdon Lock, a boat that sank over nine months ago is still there as a floating island.

Walking back along the track towards Abingdon the harvest happened early in August and the straw has been baled and taken away.

A crop of beans has been left unharvested. There is probably a very good reason for this. Beans help fix nitrates in the soil for the next crop.

Loose Cannon Brewery – Open Day & Market

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The Loose Cannon Brewery will be opening its doors on Saturday 28th August 2021 from 11 am.

There will be the usual taproom beer and shop wines. In addition, you will be able to walk around the brewery, and there will be tours.

There will be inside and outside bars, live music, food, and a bouncy castle. There will also be market stalls with local produce, jewelry, candles, ceramics, and Abingdon Gin from the Abingdon Distillery.

Start of repairs to St Helen’s Wharf

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Work began today on repairing a section of river wall at St Helen’s Wharf. The footpath has been closed and traffic lights installed.

Hoarding has been put around the damaged area and a scaffolding platform against the river wall.

The damage was noticed after flooding in March 2020. Work was planned to start today, 23rd August, and will take approximately four weeks.

Support for Afghan refugees

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When troops returned, after being heavily involved in Afghanistan, there were homecoming parades in Abingdon for soldiers returning to Dalton Barracks. HRH Princess Anne presented medals to the soldiers of The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) from Dalton Barracks, in May 2013.

After a Freedom March round the town she also took the salute.

Now that the Taliban are back in power, after the twenty year war, our local MP says our country should do more to help refugees. Local council Leaders from Oxfordshire and the Vale are ready to help support Afghan refugees.

Layla Moran MP has said ‘The scenes in Afghanistan have shocked us all. We can do better than take in 5,000 refugees – that is only 7 per constituency. Our starting point should be 20,000 refugees – still only 30 per constituency – and not our target. The Government must help those fleeing the Taliban.’

Councillor Liz Leffman, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: ‘As has been very well publicised, the situation in Afghanistan has become acute in recent days and there is a clear requirement for authorities at local, regional and national level to respond quickly.

At Oxfordshire County Council we will do all we can to support those in need. We already know that the people of Oxfordshire are keen to provide support as many have come forward with generous offers of help. We will work with district council colleagues and community organisations to co-ordinate this goodwill and generosity.’

Vale of White Horse District Council leader, Emily Smith, said ‘As a local housing authority, Vale of White Horse District Council can provide assistance locally to people over the age of 18 arriving in the UK who have been granted refugee status, subject to the availability of the necessary resources in the district. The Vale has previously supported six Syrian families to successfully resettle in the area… As a council and a district, we will work with local partners to put plans place to support those from Afghanistan who are granted refugee status in the UK.’