The new Abingdon Monk has received his first costume. The monk was installed by Abingdon Freemasons and up to now has stayed as the sculptor made him. The previous monk (now well rotted at Boxhill Wood) was sometimes dressed up for fun and the new monk has joined that tradition. The costume looks like Red Riding Hood but I could be wrong.
Back in Abingdon after a few days away, I was surprised to see five horses and a dozen or so caravans in Albert Park.
I walked around taking photographs of the horses. Two small dogs ran up barking, then ran off again. The lower gate appeared to have been forced open, and vans were coming and going. One driver waited for me to take a picture of the forced gate before driving through.
The grass was short and dry, and would not provide much food for the horses.
A PCSO was watching from a distance, and Christ’s Hospital, which manages the park, are aware of the situation and will deal with any problems in whatever way the law allows. The travellers could be moved on sooner rather than later if circumstances give them legal grounds to do so.
Two lads approached me while I was there and said they had no objection to travellers living this way provided they respected others and were peaceable. I asked if they were part of the group and they said ‘no’. Other locals in the park were less pleased, particularly as it is a school holiday and vehicles are driving over the paths and grass, and there could be contamination of the play area.
Walking around Abingdon, it is easy to pass the town’s front doors without paying them any mind. But some doors are on a show, like this one at Lock House. On most front doors the wood is painted over but here you can still see the wood.
Here is a much older door where the wood is visible. It has a stone surround and archway.
This doorway has a fanlight, columns and simple decoration typical of the Georgian period.
Some Georgian houses went further. This doorway, with its surround, columns and triangular pediment looks very grand.
Another triangular pediment. Brick this time. By the Victorian period, brick became an important part of doorway decoration.
The doorway has brickwork and a white decorative surround.
This door has less decoration, but the colour and simple appearance are attractive.
I have probably walked past all these doors many times without really noticing them. But today I decided to photograph doors after hearing that the Abingdon Artists went out drawing and painting pictures of doors at their last ‘Quick on the Draw’ session.
Looking at the town’s noticeboards for things to do in August? There is not much in the way of drama or concerts since it is the summer holidays. But here are a few things I spotted.
Steve Moodey is once again opening his garden to visitors at 53 Springfield Drive, Abingdon, OX14 1JF. To see his collection of tropical and rare plants, go between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, 22nd August. Entry is by donation to charity, with a plant sale and refreshments also available.
Abingdon Baptist Church is holding a fun morning on Saturday, 15th August.
Bridge House sometimes holds events to invite the community in, and there’s one on 14th August. There will be music, stalls and entertainment from a circus act.
Make Music Abingdon has acts lined up at the Loose Cannon Taproom on 20th August.
This isn’t actually an event, but a chance to submit your pictures of the wild spaces around Abingsdon and see them in an exhibition at Abingdon County Hall Museum.
But with temperatures rising again this week, Cakes at St Eths has been put back from 12th August to 1st September.