Skatepark progress

Next to the Vale of the White Horse Leisure Centre, along Audlett Drive, work has begun on the long awaited skatepark.

It is late coming as building costs were more expensive than the budget. The ground being used is an old tip and special foundations needed adding. But additonal funding has been found, including £5,000 from the town council, and work has begun.

The signs say it will be ready in time for July (the summer school holidays).

This all came about because of a petition from young skaters a couple of years ago.

Lib-Dem Success

The Abingdon district councillors for the next four years are all Liberal Democrats (Lib-Dems).

Abingdon has bucked the trend towards voting Conservative. Why? I haven't got a clue.

Also in terms of proportional representation, the Conservatives had 40% of the vote but that translated into no councillors with our first past the post system.

Polling

Pollings stations were open in Abingdon from 7 AM

until 10 PM. Counting does not happen until tomorrow.

So before that result, let me show you another result. This swan, approaching the iron-bridge, has had her babies.

ADDTS

In the library the Abingdon and District Twin towns Society have a display about the twins towns.

Abingdon is twinned with Lucca in Italy, Argentan in France, Schongau in Germany, and Sint Niklaas in Belgium. The Vale of the White Horse District is also twinned with Sint Niklaas, and with Colmar in France.

Both Abingdon and Lucca have local elections in May 2007.

Cotman Landseer and Palmer

These three roads are to be found in South Abingdon. Abingdon Borough Council were going through an British artist theme at the time they were named. The road sign bringing them together was created by the Vale of the White Horse District Council.

This water-colour by John Sell Cotman is of Greta Bridge and was painted in 1806.

Sir Edwin Landseer first exhibited at the Royal Academy at the age of 13. This oil painting called 'Dignity and Impudence' was painted in 1839 and is to be found at the Tate.

This etching called Early Morning was executed by Samuel Palmer in 1825.

X15 bus to be split in two

From 4 June, the X15 route will be split in two. There will be the Witney to Abingdon half and the Abingdon to Wallingford half. The Witney to Abingdon route will be reduced to a two-hourly service. The Abingdon and Wallingford half will remain an hourly service.