There is an alternative to the steep path at Abingdon Bridge for wheelchair, mobility scooter users, and people not too steady on their feet.
A level path now leads from Hales Meadow car park to the River Thames path. It was created by the Vale of White Horse District Council and opened earlier this month.
The path was being well used by people who otherwise might not be able to get down to the riverside.
At the 06 Gallery, in John Mason School, there was a lot of art work on display from students studying: Art, Graphic Design, Textile Design, and 3D Design.
The work was of a high standard, with colour, variety, movement, and innovation, and we enjoyed an interesting hour looking round.
Meanwhile on the Market Place, at the twice-yearly Craft Fair, one stall was taken by Fitzharrys School, who will be putting on an art exhibition at the Community Shop in early July.
In addition to the Craft Stalls there was a mini-exhibition of patchwork quilting to encourage people to “have a go” themselves. Ardington School of Crafts were there for anybody wanting formal tuition in crafts from Ceramics to Willow Weaving.
Despite the rain, there was plenty to warm the heart, including music from Abingdon Concert Band, and hot chilli sauces from the Abingon Based Steam Power Sauce Co. They will be back for the Oxfordshire Chilli Festival, in Abingdon, on August 15th.
First I spotted a small river scene chalked at St Helen’s Wharf.
Then there was a huge array of marks stretching along half of Marcham Road, and part of Ock Street – a huge abstract piece of art, covering not only the pavements but also the road.
When I left Abingdon at 6:50am this morning there were people in cars, at junctions, or sitting on fold-up chairs, at junctions, counting the traffic. Returning home twelve hours later they were still there, or just packing up.
Andy pointed out that additional traffic sensors (across road strips) have appeared recently on the ring road, Vineyard, High Street, etc. He wonders if these have to do with the proposed new houses to the North of Abingdon. Or is it just the Council’s love of counting traffic.
There is a website where you can download the annual traffic counts from various static traffic counters in Oxfordshire – with about half a dozen in Abingdon.
From 2000 to 2014, there is not the obvious Oxfordshire upward trend in vehicle use that I expected. But that could just be more a reflection of the level of economic activity.