It may be a little early in the year to have the cold stuff on the brain, but as the sun has miraculously made an appearance for the end of the Easter bank holiday weekend, we can’t help it.

To entice the summer, we’ve found some mouth-watering nostalgic pictures of ice cream in Oxfordshire over the years.

An ice cream van dispensing ice cream at the Riverside festival Charlbury, 2014 (Image: Mark Hemsworth)

READ MORE: Reports of major police incident at Oxfordshire lock

These Oxford Mail archive pictures show people indulging in soft-scoop, Mr Whippy, various sorbets and gelatos over the years.

Those featured in this gallery are pictured digging in at different occasions, from festivals to fetes, at ice cream shops or outdoor fun days.

Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to see pictures of ice cream over the years.

Shiplake Lock, between Shiplake and Lower Shiplake on the edge of Oxfordshire, was abruptly put out of action when a barge crashed in to the lock gate on Tuesday, April 7.

One witness to the scene said it “looks like there’s significant damage” caused by the impact.

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The Environment Agency confirmed on Wednesday that Shiplake Lock is closed to all boaters for the foreseeable future while damage is assessed and repairs carried out.

A boat on a canal, file photo (Image: Tony Steele)

A spokesperson for the agency said: “On Tuesday afternoon a vessel struck the lock gate at Shiplake Lock, causing significant damage to the structure. As a result, the lock is currently closed to all river traffic.

“Our contractors attended the site today and are assessing the damage and developing a repair plan.

“Until this work is completed and we have a clearer understanding of the work required, we are unable to provide an estimate for when the lock will reopen.

READ MORE: Man found dead after major police response at Culham Lock

“Shiplake Lock, and the navigation through it, will therefore remain closed to all boaters until further notice.

“Notices have been displayed at our neighbouring lock sites and information has been updated on the GOV.uk website  to keep river users informed.”

Shiplake Lock is positioned just above the point where the River Loddon joins the River Thames and where Shiplake Railway Bridge crosses the river.

A wooden monk could be seen for many years at the roundabout on the Marcham Road where drivers can access Abingdon Tesco Extra and Fairacres Retail Park.

But last year the statue was removed after it rotted and toppled over.

READ MORE: New monk statue will appear soon

Now, thanks to fundraising efforts by St Swithuns Lodge – local Freemasons – a new monk statue has been carved and was lowered into place at the roundabout on Sunday.

A spokesman for the lodge said: “He was very popular amongst the drivers who were pleased the monk was back again.”

The project was organised by Abingdon resident Kenny Moore, who has lived in the town for 50 years after moving there at the age of 14 when his father was posted to the former RAF base.

Mr Moore is also a Berkshire Freemason and a member of St Swithuns Lodge that meets in the town.

The new monk statue (Image: Kenny Moore)

Reflecting on the unveiling, Moore said, “The past eight months I’ve been planning for this day. It’s incredible to think that this piece of English oak has been transformed into something new, but also something so strongly linked with Abingdon.”

The original wooden monk was donated in 2002 by Harry Benford, a local Freemason and owner of the former Abbey Press printers, as a gift to support Abingdon in Bloom.

Over time, the sculpture deteriorated, suffering damage at its base and eventually collapsing, leaving the roundabout without its iconic figure for the past two years.

Moore explained that the inspiration to restore the monk came after hearing a question frequently raised in Masonic meetings: “If your Lodge shut tomorrow, would the community miss you?”

The sentiment prompted members of the lodge to consider how they could contribute more visibly to the local community.

After researching potential artists, Mr Moore commissioned Mike Burgess, an internationally recognised chainsaw artist, to carve a new six-foot oak monk.

Funding was raised through contributions from St Swithuns Lodge, St Swithuns Chapter, Abbey Lodge, and individual members, enabling the project to move forward.

Sourcing a suitable piece of oak proved difficult, and wet weather delayed carving work, pushing the original Christmas installation target back several months.

Local builder Martin Davidson played a crucial role in the project by designing and constructing a custom bracket to mount the sculpture securely above ground level, allowing ventilation and preventing future damage. D

Mr Davidson also stepped in to repair minor damage when the monk fell during transit shortly before delivery.

The finished sculpture was delivered to Sydenhams’ builders’ merchants in Ock Street, before it was installed.

Town mayor Rawda Jehanli has welcomed the arrival of the new monk statue, saying: “It’s lovely that the monk is back where he belongs.”