Cars turn from Ock Street into Stratton Way, and are reflected in the shop window glass.
I stood watching until the traffic lights changed. The liquid amber trees can be seen beyond in The Square.
The Town Council have not yet said publically what form the remembrance ceremony will take. The big light-up poppies have been installed. Wreaths from the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII are still there at the war memorial.
At Trinity the building was reopened for church services six weeks ago, after ensuring a Covid-19 risk assessment was in place.
People are socially distanced, and sanitise their hands on the way in, and mostly pre-book. Everybody registers. People wear face covering, and do not sing the hymns but listen and watch videos of hymns, or listen to the piano.
The service is only 45 minutes rather than an hour. The sermon, prayers, and readings are not very different. But because people are wearing face coverings the preacher does not get the same feedback.
Before the lockdown people would stay around chatting for up to another hour after the service, but now leave within minutes.
This week was harvest. There were displays of flowers, and a few fruit and vegetables. Normally there is a procession during the first hymn as people bring up tins and packets of rice and pasta to be given to a homeless shelter or Asylum Welcome. This year people donated money so that produce could be brought on their behalf for Asylum Welcome.
At Trinity, service sheets with sermons are sent out beforehand to people who are not able to attend. Other churches stream their services.
Daniel sent me a picture of a notice that has been put up at the permissive entrances to Drayton Field.
DEFRA’s Environmental Stewardship conservation scheme is run by Natural England, a government body. The scheme pays landowners for conserving the environment. In the case of this field it meant that the meadow grass and flowers were allowed to grow, and people were permitted to walk round the field.
After it became permissive, gates were put in at the bottom end. There were also maps and information about the permissive access.
Most people access the field from a gap in the fence from Masefield Crescent Play Park.
Before access became permissive, the fence was continually being mended and broken down. It would probably take a developer building houses on this field to stop dog walkers. This field is not in the local plan so there is not immediate chance of this.
The most interesting feature of the field is the small wood at the south west corner.
There are good views from that corner. You can see the Old Gaol and St Helen’s Church.
A recent change is that the Morland Gardens estate can be seen to the east.
Another recent change is that Drayton village is visible to the south.
Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council have identified this field as a possible site for a new cemetery.
The tree in the Old Gaol grounds is glowing.
I entered the riverside path from the Bridge Street entrance, and took a picture of Abingdon Bridge with the leaves of the tree round me.
I also took a picture of The Old Gaol Dental Surgery.
The Vale of White Horse District Council recently allowed the application for unit 5B to become a dental clinic rather than a restaurant.
Abingdon Town Council had recommend refusal. They said The original approval for the Old Gaol development was on the basis of a mixed use development including an A3 restaurant in Unit 5B. The mixed use is important to enable visitors continued access to this part of the Old Gaol site.
A neighbour said the proposal is preferable to a restaurant. Would like to ensure adequate noise insulation.
Friends of Abingdon said the proposed change of use … raises privacy issues for patients …. Concerned that the proximity of Treatment Room 1 to the riverside path could result in pressure to close the Bridge Street entrance to the gardens.
P.S
In reply to newcomer’s comment, from Brian. I would like to add the photo above taken 24/07/2007 with the caption – ‘we had one, the developer removed it, the planners conditioned it to be replaced !!!’