Abingdon on Thames

Just a quick report on one item at the Wednesday evening town council meeting.

Should the new town entry signs say "Abingdon on Thames", or should the new signs say "Abingdon".

Previous items on the agenda may have had more practical importance, but on this issue....

Councillor Martin Smith said that the words "On Thames" were not necessary, since unlike Henley on Thames, there was only one Abingdon. "Abingdon is unique."

Councillor Alan Bryden said that the Victorians added "On Thames" to help promote the town, but that it was not necessary anymore. Abingdon was not in relative decline, as then, but had gained in importance... In any case Abingdon was the proper name of the town as in the charter... The one sign on the river owned by the Vale would continue to say Abingdon, as would all direction signs to Abingdon, so adding "On Thames" would lead to confusion.

Cllr Michael Badcock said that when Abingdon was a Borough it had signs with "Abingdon-On-Thames." He suggested the aforementioned Councillors had short memories. He went on to say that if the council was minded to add the words "Former County Town of Berkshire" he would pay for the signs himself.

Cllr Sandy Lovett said the words "On Thames" would generate more tourism because people on the internet are likely to search words like "rural" and "river" and "Thames."

Cllr Hilary Green said the word "On Thames" would only be in smaller type and as such create a better image, and alert visitors to one of the main attraction of the town.

The Mayor had to bring the meeting to the vote. The "Abingdonians" beat the "Abingdon on Thamesers" by 8 to 7, with the Mayor abstaining. The debate did not divide along the normal party lines (lib-dem to consevative) but along some other political faultline.