Litter Picking makes River safer for Wildlife

3 Replies


There was a River & Riverbank clean-up today using the combined forces of Surfers Against Sewage, Abingdon Carbon Cutters, Abingdon Against Plastics and Kingfisher Canoe club, all coordinated by Anne Smart.

Anne Smart presented prizes for the three most unusual finds

(utility power block, ‘dollar’ lino and underwater power drill).

The river and river banks are now safer for wildlife.

This is a picture from the blog in May 2006. I believe that plastic ring can holders are still allowed in 2021, fifteen years later.

P.S Today’s blog post is dedicated to J.

Litter Pick and Zero-waste coffee

Leave a reply


There will be a River & Riverbank clean-up on May 22nd.

They are offering a prize (a reusable coffee cup) for the wackiest piece of rubbish.

There is also a Zero-waste coffee event on 29th May with free coffee for people who bring a reusable coffee cup.

Here is what wasteful coffee event looks like – as seen today by the River Thames near Abingdon.

Masterplan for Radley Lakes launched in May 2021

3 Replies


The Radley Neighbourhood Plan, formally adopted in 2018, included a proposal that the wider Radley Lakes area (about ten times the size of Thrupp Lake) should be managed for nature conservation and quiet recreation in the future.

A masterplan for the future of the area has been launched in May 2021.

The Radley Lakes Trust, a registered charity, was established in November 2020, to take forward the implementation of the masterplan. Funding will come from developer contributions (‘CIL’) to Radley Parish Council.

The plan sets out a vision for the Lakes, focused on protecting wildlife and providing valuable green space for local people. The masterplan proposes:
• Enhancing the diverse and rich natural habitats of Radley Lakes.
• New pedestrian and cycling routes and safer parking for cars and bikes.
• New and more varied walking trails within the area, with places to sit and relax.
• Information displays and signage. These will be at the two entry hubs (at Thrupp Lake and Barton Fields) and along the walking trails.

Part of the area, Thrupp Lake, is already open to the public. The Radley Lakes Trust is having discussions with landowners about permissive paths in the wider Radley Lakes area.

To prevent visitors from disturbing important wildlife habitat there will be no public access to sensitive areas.

Councillor Cheryl Briggs, Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, said: ‘Time spent in the natural environment is increasingly being recognised as essential for physical and mental wellbeing. The Radley Lakes area meets this important need for the people of Radley, Abingdon and beyond. Lockdown has highlighted this, with many more people discovering and enjoying the area. We believe the masterplan will ensure that these invaluable benefits are sustained for our local communities for generations to come.’

The Radley Lakes Masterplan is available at: http://www.radleyvillage.org.uk/radley-lakes

Abingdon’s Mayor 2021-2022

Leave a reply


At the annual meeting of the Council this evening (19th May) Councillor Cheryl Briggs was elected Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames for the civic year 2021-2022.

Cheryl will be Abingdon’s first Mayor from the Green Party (as far as I know).

The meeting was held behind closed doors because of Covid-19 safety regulations.

Councillor Charlie Birks was the outgoing Mayor and served for 2 years from 2019-2021. Mayors in Abingdon normally serve for one year but Charlie showed great dedication and agreed to serve for 2 years because of these unprecedented times.

(Picture above shows Caroline Lucas and Cheryl Briggs after a meeting in the Brewery Tap in January 2019. Picture thanks to Helen.)