The lights are again on in Bargain Booze on the High Street, and the shelves are being re-stocked. All the infrastructure is already in there and in a good condition. Notices in the window say SPAR Opening, and Job Vacancies.
Leave a Comment September 2, 2010
There are also some displays by the Friends of Abingdon, and an unnamed group of us who organise Heritage Open Day.
1 Comment September 2, 2010
Leave a Comment September 1, 2010
Back in July when I did the Old Gaol progress update from the grandstand view of the County Hall roof, Colin Wiggins sent me this picture of the same view from back in 1968 – before the swimming pool was built. It shows out buildings and a car port as part of the Old Gaol complex.
Having lost that grandstand view I shall have to rely more on other reports and snooping about. The Old Gaol has hit the headlines on two occasions in the last month. First because the developers cut down a tree of heaven after the demolition works had damaged it, and second because ownership has transferred to Cranbourne Homes and building work has commenced.
The VWHDC press release said “Initially, the work will concentrate on site infrastructure and constructing a new 60 space underground car park, before moving on to building the new flats and restaurants.
Following completion of the demolition and archaeological work … ownership of the Old Gaol site has been passed from the Vale of White Horse District Council to developers Cranbourne Homes.
So far, Cranbourne has paid the Vale just over £2million for the site. As part of the deal, the council will receive further payments during the course of the development from the sale of residential units. The final value of the scheme to the council will not be known until all units have been sold…”
There was another story didn’t make any headlines I saw. One archaelogical firm had the job and did the dig. The more local Abingdon group thought there was still more to be found in the way of Roman remains and wanted more digging done.
1 Comment August 31, 2010
The mural in the underpass – showing people from the past – was repainted a couple of years ago and covered with an anti graffiti covering.
That does not stop graffiti but it does make grafitti a little easier to remove.
A google search shows that this particular graffiti statement “Question Everything” predates most of the rest of the mural.
Euripides (Greek playwright, c. 480-406 BC) said “Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing.”
2 Comments August 31, 2010
On Saturday was the Mayor’s Junior fishing contest. Bank Holiday Monday saw the senior event with over 30 contestents. It began at 10 am and ended at 3 pm.
The boating season does restrict the number of good pitches. Abingdon does have free moorings.
Upstream from the bridge there are no fixed moorings and boat owners hammer in their own spikes and get very close together. In places they double park.
The best catches during the day were down near the marina where some of the fishermen caught over 18 lbs. This chap near the bridge got about 13 lbs – the best in his stretch of the river.
Leave a Comment August 30, 2010
This is what the courtyard of the Kings Head and Bell looked like a year ago (picture by Carl) …
The landlord of the Kings Head and Bell is seen here one year later with the Chairman of the Vale at the opening of the first Annual Beer Festival.
Lots of different local beers were on offer. Steve Green on his blog (Abingdon Beer) will have far more detail. He was working his way through the twenty or so beers on offer last time I saw – showing great dedication to his blog.
This afternoon the morris men were performing at the festival. Weather has been good, apart from a sudden downpour at 2:30pm – the time they were meant to start. So they started late and carried on most of the afternoon.
It gave their bagman the chance to get aquainted with quite a few young ladies. He picks them out of the crowd to be danced round.
(They will be dancing next on Saturday 11th September on Abingdon Market Place for Heritage Day. The Kings Head and Bell will also open up the King Charles room on Heritage Day.)
Leave a Comment August 29, 2010
You can see him here breaming from ear to ear!!! The winner Rhys Griffin, aged 7, caught the Bream.
Leave a Comment August 28, 2010
Yesterday a family, from Ruislip, visiting a very wet Abingdon were having their picnic under the County Hall. They had hoped to spend time at the Abbey pool and grounds.
They were delighted to hear that there were some activities available for children in the museum.
Thanks to Elizabeth for the pictures and report.
3 Comments August 26, 2010
In the window of Mostly Books, next to Fun in The Park, and above Rugby 7s is a poster for Abingdon Evening WI. The afternoon WI is no longer quite so ideal for young mums and working women hence the move to Evening WI. They have been meeting for over a year and meet at the Royal British Legion club on Spring Road.
Looking for yummy mummies & domestic godesses…
Cool!
Leave a Comment August 25, 2010
