Time is running Out

In town this morning various community groups were looking for people's support. For two of the groups, time is running out:

Time is running out for the Old Gaol. This leaflet asks people to bring an alarm clock, or whistle, for the 'Wake Up Call for the Old Gaol.' The Wake up Call is at 11 AM - next - Saturday 20th October on the Market Place - for ten minutes. The executive of the Vale District Council have asked short listed developers to submit their bids and plans to the Vale Council by 22nd October.

Save Radley Lakes had a tombola and a card sale. The decision over whether Radley Lakes can be designated a 'Village Green', and saved from imminent destruction, is likely to be communicated next week. For them too, time is running out.

Excess Charge Notice (s)

This car in the nearby carpark has what looks to me like a record number of parking tickets. It has not moved for over a week, and has been getting a ticket every day. The car also has a notice saying 'For Sale £1350' and another saying 'Broken Down.' So on the face of it, it has not got a lot going for it.

Oxfordshire Traffic Survey

These men were doing a traffic survey at the Radley Road roundabout. Its part of the Oxfordshire Traffic Survey.

Other surveyers have been going round to randomly selected houses, asking people to fill in a 24 travel form including all their journeys - however small with lots of details: the how, why, when.

"...The information will be used in developing a Transport Model which will be used to plan and hopefully improve future transport requirements in the area..."

I see the road planners are now using words like 'hopefully'. We have learned in Abingdon that transport modelling is an inexact science.

Work begins on Co-op Store

During the day new signs have appeared on the Co-op site. The fence has moved out so you can't walk on that pavement anymore, and a cabin has arrived on site. These are the first signs that work has begun on the replacement Co-op store.

Michaelmas Fair - Tuesday

There is a 'Street Fair' poster in Dawsons - the recently closed down music shop. Reflected behind can be seen a Helter Skelter next to 'Just Toys' - also closed down. 'Just Toys' are to have their Clearance Sale later this week. So they'll just re-open for that.

There was more of a Police presence this year at the fair than usual. I didn't see any trouble over the two days, but the Herald did report a stabbing.

There were bigger crowds yesterday (Monday) when weather was expected to be good. Today, as it happens, the weather was also good, after some morning rain.


But you just have to make your choice. Come along on the less busy Tuesday: risk rain but maybe get longer rides... Its a case of swings and roundabouts.

Michaelmas Fair - Monday

Weather was good for the first of the two days of the Fair. Here is the scene early in the evening one side of the County Hall.

Then returning much later.

Galloping Horses

Here you can see the horses, stacked like sardines, about to be unloaded in the Market Place.

Their caroussel is located in its usual place over by M & CO, La Baguette and Stroll-in.

At 8 PM on the Sunday evening of the Fair a church service is held at the Galloping Horses.

On good years, people get a free ride afterwards. This year was a very good year because there were two chances to ride.