First Swallow, Goose Communism, and Isis demolished

1 Reply

First Swallow
There were swallows near Abingdon Bridge this morning. Having recently arrived back after wintering south of the Sahara, they were feeding on the clouds of insects over the River Thames. This swallow is pictured over the roof of Annie’s Tearoom.
First Swallow
Near the tearoom were geese with young. They seem to be communal birds: a group of adults look after the young.
First Swallow
Unhatched eggs are also kept in a communal way.
First Swallow
After a mild winter, the Plane trees on St Helen’s Wharf are coming back into leaf.
First Swallow
A little further along, on Wilsham Road, a bungalow, called Isis, has been demolished, and is being replaced by a four bedroom house.

Barton Fields in April

3 Replies

Barton Fields in April
I am visiting Barton Fields for a picture report every month this year.
Barton Fields in April
It was another bright sunny day. There have been many such days since the Lockdown began. The fine weather encourages us to enjoy nature.

During the lockdown there are more people than usual visiting the area as part of their exercise allowance.
Barton Fields in April
The Thames Path leaves Barton Fields by a wooden bridge before meandering round a fishing lake towards the River Thames. More people than usual seem to be smiling or saying hello as we pass at a distance. Somebody said recently that it could best described as ‘physical distancing’ rather than ‘social distancing’.
Barton Fields in April
There are smaller paths that go through Barton Fields allowing more ways to avoid other people physically.
Barton Fields in April
Today was St George’s Day. England’s National Flower is the rose and the path passes close to these rose like flowers – possibly apples.
Barton Fields in April
There are Hawthorn Bushes / May Trees seen here next to last year’s hay.
Barton Fields in April
Cutting the meadow with scythes, and piling tbe hay, encourages wild flowers to take hold. There are many Cowslips growing among the short April grass.
Barton Fields in April
There are many other wildflowers dotted about. I think these are bugles.

Jeanette Halliday

1 Reply

Jeanette Halliday
Very sad news of the death of Jeanette Halliday on April 17th 2020, after being ill since Christmas.

Jeanette was the Mayor of Abingdon from 1998-9, and continued to serve on Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council until she died. She has been on the Town Council for about twenty years in total, and was the Chair of the planning committee on the current council. Her husband Jim is another long serving and dedicated councillor.

Jeanette was very good at talking to people and taking up their concerns and getting things done. She was independently minded and full of humour.

Many people will remember her as a driving instructor in Abingdon back in the 1980-90s. More recently she ran a holistic therapy clinic.

We will have to wait until the Pandemic restrictions are lifted for a Thanksgiving Service for everybody who knew her. Current rules allow a small private service. Our thoughts are with Jim and her family.

There is a fuller obituary on the Town Council web site at https://abingdon.gov.uk/abingdon-news/abingdon-thames-town-council/councillor-jeanette-halliday

Abingdon Concert Band – Together while apart

8 Replies

Thankyou to Neil for this …
AbiMeds
Abingdon Concert Band have been finding ways to keep playing during the Coronavirus lockdown. They’ve just put together a video of everyone playing their parts for Do You Hear the People Sing? from Les Miserables which can be found on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/cmyzaXcMTm8.

The band has around 55 players, 29 of which are playing in the video. They are planning to keep doing these videos until lockdown ends to make sure they can all still play when rehearsals start again. They hope you enjoy their first isolation performance.