Freedom Parade

This afternoon at about 3 PM there was a parade of the Soldiers from Dalton Barracks. They have been granted the freedom of the town, and were exercising their freedom to "march round the town with drums beating and bayonets fixed".

This meant that no cars could be parked along the route which went down East St Helens Street and up West St Helens Street where these pictures were taken.

The street cleaner came up and down this route about six times this morning so the road should be looking as well brushed as the shoes of the soldiers.

Dalton Barracks is a near part of Abingdon, situated in the nearby village of Shippon. The Royal Logistics Corps have been based at Dalton Barracks since 1992, when the army took over from RAF Abingdon. The two regiments of the Royal Logistics Corps stationed there: transport stores, equipment and ammunition to wars and trouble spots around the world, and the airfield is still used for large exercises.

Drayton Road Allotments

As you can tell these images of the Drayton Road allotment site are not completely up to date. They were taken in January, but while I'm on the theme of allotments, and since the gates were locked when I visited, these will have to do.

These form the smallest allotments, located next to the sewage works. Until recently they were under utilised. Half the area was fenced off to find an alternative use - a use that does not preclude their return to being allotments. This brought plots closer together and has led to more plots being taken up.

West End Allotments

West End allotments are other side of the A34 Marcham Interchange.The surrounding land looks as if it was once held army huts or something similar.

There is the evidence of tracks leading to buildings that exist no longer, as here where this yellow flowers hug the ground.

The surrounding land is overgrown with: grass, teasle, crab apple trees, and brambles... And at the end of the main track are the allotments.

A report on the Farm and Garden magazine site about allotments regeneration says:The West End Allotment Association have carried out plot clearance, and have been busily promoting the fact on local radio and the local press, especially after receiving the winning plot award in 'Abingdon in Bloom' recently.

This publicity has generated interest, from younger people and families, and the association gained 10 new members. They do offer rent free plots for 12 months to new members. The allotments have 96 plots.

Wildmoor Allotment

There are three Allotments in Abingdon. The largest is Wildmoor allotment with 120 plots. This is the one most people have seen as it is visible from the A34, on the Shippon not the Abingdon side.

It can be seen from a footbridge over the A34 that starts from the area of Copenhagen Drive. But that way only goes to Shippon. Users enter from Long Tow where there is a padlocked gate.

Round the sides the allotments are surrounded by fields growing barley, and a deep dug wire mesh fence to keep out the rabbits.

Allotments gained great importance during the two world wars because of the shortage of food. They are gaining popularity again now.

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.

Old Ambulance Station

The old ambulance station, is located next to The Fitzharrys Arms off the Wootton Road. It is just to the left of the yellow canopy. It is another part of the town that will disappear in the near future. There is a For Sale for development sign outside.

The Chief Ambulance Officer has long since gone. The building stopped being used for ambulances two or three years ago, when Didcot bacame the ambulance base for the area. The last few operational staff then moved to Didcot.

When in operation, ambulances lay over at strategic locations
in order to cover the area, and unlike fire engines do not stay at the station.

This one is opposite from MacDonalds down Colwell Drive.

Exercise Your Eyes

The exhibition "Exercise your Eyes" is on until Thursday this week, and features the work of students on the Abingdon College art and design foundation course, most of whom will be leaving Abingdon next year to go to places like Bath, Kingstone, Goldsmiths, Falmouth, Wimbledon...

Anyway it was a very exciting exhibition, and there was far more than can be included in a blog. But here are some of the works.

Peachcroft Youth Shelter

PCP stands for Peachcroft Posse. The artwork was done as a summer project three years ago in the basketball court near the Peachcroft Centre.

Peachcroft is an extensive housing estate on the northern edge of Abingdon near to Peachcroft Farm, and built from the 1970s.

Here is the well publicised youth shelter. Today was its last day, and it is not to be seen there anymore. It was set up near the basketball court as a place where young people could hang out, but hanging out in numbers has sometimes led to problems. And today it has been taken away.

Cameos of Abingdon

There are two books out about Abingdon this month.

The one pictured here, at the museum shop is called "Pride of Place". It is a history of the Abingdon County Hall written by Peter Gale who works at the museum.

This second book "Cameos of Abingdon" is in the window of the Book Store in the precinct. It has many contributors.

England 1 - Equador 0

Football does bring us together probably more than anything.

The town went eerily quiet from 4 until 5 45 PM while the football was on.

After the game tooting horns were to be heard. The picture is taken of the Cross Keys down Ock Street.

AbITs - June Update

This Saturday morning there have been traffic problems due to roadworks. Here is the tailback along the High Street.

A section of road, in front of The House of Spice and of Gia's, the new sandwhich bar and internet cafe, had been dug up and was being resurfaced. It was very dusty as one machine scoured the concrete below the surface. This roller is compacting the new tarmac.

Here the tarmac is being poured into a trench.

Round the corner between Stratton Way and the Vineyard, the new pavement is being built, and this caused a second hold-up.