Up with the sun

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In Abingdon (and Stone Henge), the earliest sunrise happens about a week before the longest days of 20th and 21st of June.  The latest sunset happens about a week after. The Earth is tilted as it goes around the Sun, and its path is oval-shaped. Sunrises and sunsets are not synchronised.

Depending on where you are, the Sun will not be visible right away anyway.

This week also brought another seasonal change. The fishing closed season, which runs from March 15th to June 15th, has ended. Rods are out again as fishers return. One was up with the sun.

A Hot Day in Abingdon

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It was a hot day with temperatures up to 32°C. Not a cloud in the sky.

The hole in Bridge Street was filled in yesterday and tarmacked today, with the temporary traffic lights now removed – to the relief of drivers.

At Abbey Meadow, the open-air pool was brightened by sun umbrellas and people with beach towels.

Over by the splash pad, children ran screaming through the fountains of water

The town began to have a holiday feel.

Early opening of Open Air Pool for Heatwave

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Staff were preparing the Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool in Abingdon for an early opening for the current heatwave. This weather-dependent trial opening is the first – others may follow, depending on conditions and staff availability.

Better UK, who manage the pool, are offering this early opening at no extra cost to Vale of White Horse District Council. Booking times are available on the Better UK website. The first sessions run from Thursday, 19 June to Tuesday, 24 June 2025.

The Abbey Meadow splash pad and kiosk — also operated by Better UK on behalf of the council — opened at the end of May. Full seasonal opening of the outdoor pool begins on 19 July to coincide with the school holidays.

Councillor Andy Crawford, Cabinet Member for Leisure Facilities, said: ”This is such welcome news – and I’m sure it will be positively received by everyone who looks forward to enjoying the pool in the warm weather.”

Thermal covers are in place overnight to allow the water to be warmed and retain the heat.

Sinkhole in Bridge Street

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A hole – described by one passer-by as ‘the size of a plate’ — led to the partial closure of the top of Bridge Street on Saturday.

Temporary traffic lights were installed on both Stert Street and Bridge Street to manage the resulting single-lane traffic, causing delays. A yellow board was placed over the hole, with barriers blocking access to both the pavement and the affected section of road.

Another passer-by was baffled that such a small hole could cause so much disruption. ‘Sinkhole? That’s a joke!’ said someone else.

Workmen from Oxfordshire County Council were on site today, Tuesday. They have excavated a larger section to investigate the cause of the subsidence and covered the hole again — at least for now.