The Old Coal Yard

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The Old Coal Yard
Near the end of Audlett Drive
The Old Coal Yard
you will find  Barrow Hills Recreation Area, a place that has not seen much council investment in the last few decades. It has a rundown BMX Track featured in 2006 , an area for football, and a very uneven car park. The area is mostly used by dog walkers who can set out in the direction of Thrupp Lane.
The Old Coal Yard
One route passes through an area of very regular woodland with the exception of one bent tree,
The Old Coal Yard
then across a field with some larger trees to the south, and then skirts an Old Coal Yard (in Radley Parish) just before Thrupp Lane. I am guessing that this was the local coal distribution centre run by the coal board.

I read in the History of Ock Street that T Enoch & Son, of 75 Ock Street, was the last coal merchant in Abingdon. They closed in the 1990s having operated for about 100 years. In the 1970s there were three coal merchants in Abingdon. Go back to the 1960s and most families would have a coal storage area, and took a regular delivery of coal.

Blight and Mites attack Abingdon Cemetery

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Blight and Mites attack Abingdon Cemetery
Anybody who has been to the Spring Gardens Cemetery recently may have noticed that the hedge round the existing garden of remembrance has been removed, and a fence is being put up to screen the area from the road.
Blight and Mites attack Abingdon Cemetery
There have also been quite a few trees chopped down in the cemetery itself.

As I understand it the trees had a blight, and the hedge was being destroyed by mites that sucked the sap and destroyed the roots. The plan is to replace the trees with: Rowan, Silver Birch, and Flowering Cherry. And a new hedge is already beginning to grow.
Blight and Mites attack Abingdon Cemetery
The other change this winter is he construction of a path to the ‘new’ garden of remembrance.

By the way if you have questions about blight, mites, or any other matter, the Annual Parish Meeting takes place on Wednesday, 11th March, 7:00pm-9:00pm in the Guildhall (Roysse Room).

Each year the Town Council organises the Annual Parish Meeting as an opportunity for residents to raise matters which specifically affect the town. The Council also takes the opportunity to provide an update on its work during the past year.

The Heart of things

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The Heart of Things
Christ Church, Abingdon, is hosting an art week, 9th -14th March 2015, featuring paintings and installations by Paul Hobbs. The exhibition is called The Heart of things, and is in the recently renovated barn on Northcourt Road, alongside the Barns Cafe.

As well as a variety of colourful abstract paintings, and some figurative paintings, there are some conceptual pieces including two larger works…
The Heart of Things
Paul can be seen here, in the check shirt, and will be available throughout the exhibition to discuss the works on show. This particular work is called ‘Holy Ground’ and is made from a collection of shoes and stories from Christians all around the world including a famous athlete. There are 32 people available, and so the shoes could change during the week.

A Spring-like Day

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A Spring-like Day
Today was the most spring-like day of the year so far. The Abbey Meadow’s play area attracted many young families, and the Ice Cream van was doing a good trade. Over the river the Abingdon Parkrun had the usual good turn out.
A Spring-like Day
Ruby’s Vintage Fair was in the Guildhall. They have one more visit on June 6th, and then are looking for a new venue on September 12th, when the Guildhall will be closed for the well publicised upgrade.
A Spring-like Day
The Close Care Home, from nearby Burcot, were raising money on the Market Place for Comic Relief (Friday 13th March) with a tennis ball operated ducking stool. Hit the target and a young lady got ducked.
A Spring-like Day
And The Broad Face re-opened…