Alongside West St Helen Street car park, there is a hedge that has grown out of control. The trunks are so wide that a large crack has appeared in the adjacent wall.
The branches hang so low that cyclists have to mind their heads.
And there is a street lamp hidden in there somewhere.
The question is who, if anybody, is responsible for the overgrown hedge.
Thanks to Hester and Andy for noticing this …
There was an article in the Herald not long ago with Reg from the Gainsborough Green shop concerned that a Tesco or similar shop would be taking over the Saxton Arms.
Those plans, for a shop at the Saxton Arms, have now been withdrawn, and new plans submitted for 4 x one bed and 1 x two bed apartments with associated car parking.
That means that both the pubs taken over by Hawthorn Leisure Ltd from Greene King in 2014 – the Saxton Arms and the Cross Keys, could now be used as housing. Hawthorn Leisure Ltd did try running them both as pubs for a few months before closing them for a more profitable use
Yesterday the Christmas lights were removed from Bury Street, and the Market Place Christmas Tree was cut up into pieces.
Today people brought their Christmas trees to the Market Place to have them recycled, along with the Market Place tree.
The trees are shredded by Town Council outdoor staff, using equipment lent by TVF. The TVF Hire Centre is along Audlett Drive now, and no longer along Ock Street.
The mix of woodchip and pine needles can be used on paths such as the Ock Valley Walk by the Green Gym.
The young tree in the foreground will be re-potted, and put in a quiet corner of the old cemetery, and could well see another Christmas Day in 350 days time.
Thanks to Hester and Pat for this …
The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is about reducing flood risk in Oxford and Abingdon.
The EA is holding public events to present options and provide an opportunity for the public to give their views.
The public meeting local to our area is on Wed. 20th January at Abbey House, Abingdon OX14 3JE. It will be open from 2.30pm to 7pm.
Currently different options are being developed for the flood relief channel, including routes and flows. There was an exhibition last June where people were worried that if the flow of flood water round Oxford was increased it could impact Abingdon downstream. That could cause the Almshouses to suffer.
The option chosen will require planning permission and funding. The earliest start date is Spring 2018 with construction expected to take 2 to 3 years.
More information beforehand from the Environment Agency.