Free Wi-Fi Balloon Launch

On the Market Place was acoustic music from various local singers and groups, put on by "The Legendary Skittle Alley". This is Glenda Huish, and Leigh Alexander.

Skittle Alley also have concerts in Abingdon on June 7th at 2PM in the Unicorn Theatre, and 7.30 PM at the Stocks Bar (Crown and Thistle).

Also taking place was the Abingdon Free Wi-Fi Launch + balloon race. You can pick up the Wi-Fi along the precinct, along High Street, and in the Abbey Meadows. More riverside locations to be added soon.

Using the free town centre and riverside Wi-Fi, provided by CTS, I ran a Caption Competition. The Caption was 'What I love about Abingdon is..."

Most captions are on a specially created loveabingdon.blogspot.com - to be judged by the Mayor. A few got put here. Including one from Pam, featured on this blog recently dueting with Julie Felix .

Co-op Building - May Progress

The roof is on, the cladding is complete, and the windows are in.
On Sunday 8th June West St Helen Street will be partly closed until 11:30 to allow removal of the crane.

Residents got a letter saying 'Kingerlee would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and also thank you for your co-operation.'

Personally, I don't think they'll be able to get the crane out through that hole.

Water under the bridge

A lot of water under the bridge and a lot of traffic across it...

Here are the Bridge Street traffic lights before unveiling in December 2006.

Here is the same place after the lights were dismantled in May 2008.

That sign has now passed into history. I hope it will find a fitting place at Standlake (Oxfordshire's museum storage depot) and be kept for an appropriate moment to be dusted off and displayed within the museum.

I enjoy living in Abingdon Because…

Here is the Abingdon Town Crier being interviewed for a Channel 5 program about living in Abingdon. I heard him say 'I enjoy living in Abingdon because...'

Look in at Radio Abingdon for more details.

Spring into Abingdon

Paul Viney Photography

and Frugal Food are two of the thirty independent shops taking part in Spring into Abingdon during these two weeks.

I am plugging them because they are near neighbours, and people may have forgotten they are still there beyond the ongoing Co-op works

Ten Months On - Welcome Home

Welcome Home.

Is the misery finally over for people returning to their homes after last summer's floods?

Not, if every time it rains they have to worry whether it is going to happen again.

Perhaps last year was a freak. Perhaps not. We don't know.

Bank Holiday Misery

Last night must have been blowing a gale. Branches

and fences were down.

When daylight came the wind had gone but not the misery.

Abingdon Central Post Office

Times are changing... The main sorting office in Oxford is to move to Swindon...

Two Sub Post Offices in Abingdon (or thereabouts) are being closed as part of the Royal Mail closures program. One is on Wootton Road in Abingdon, and one at Dalton Barracks in nearby Shippon. And so one would expect additional customers will need to use the central post office.

Abingdon central Post Office is operated for Royal Mail by a company called Primeco, and has been for two or three years.

Since taking over, Primeco has opened the Post Office up on Saturday afternoons - when it used to close at 1 PM. However it appears that whatever the size of the queue there are only two service counters open (out of the possible eight), and the one (this end of the picture) for foreign exchange.

There are rumours that Primeco want to move the operation - possibly to the new Co-op building. So is Abingdon Central Post Office to become a Sub Post Office?

The Queen, Abingdon, and Mostly Books

The Mayor Patrick Lonergan was there to cut the cake at the Mostly Books party to celebrate the 'Best New Bookshop' award. There was not just cake, but also champagne. The toast was 'To The Queen, the town of Abingdon, and Mostly Books.'

The Performing Arts Department from Abingdon & Witney College performed songs and dance on the Market. Good weather again.

Thames Water are beginning again with the public consultation on the need for a huge new reservoir near Abingdon. We have been through this all before - a couple of years ago. This time there is a slightly different emphasize but the same reservoir.

Leach's to Leave Ock Street

Leach's the Printers have been in their Ock Street premises for 71 years, but at the start of June will move to the Nuffield Centrum.

Leach's will be near neighbours of The Abbey Press. The Abbey Press recently consolidated their operations at the Nuffield Centrum, and their old printing works at Thames View have closed.

Green Fence

Dotted throughout the town are areas of green land, not large enough to be parks, that appear to be common land...

until, that is, a fence is put up. This fence is a 'contentious issue' on the Ladygrove Estate.

Two sides to every story

A comment in the Abingdon Herald recently said:

"I visited Abingdon a couple of weeks ago, for the first time and had thoughts of a nice affluent rural English village, wow what a change when visiting the place for real. I found Abingdon to be derelict, depressing and covered in CCTV. What has this country come to when small towns are in this sort of mess?"

Not sure if the comment is for real. But I do know that when I've put upbeat comments about Abingdon in the Herald web comments I've had people say "Are you for real?"


Here a coot is bringing up her chick on the River Thames near Abingdon town centre: complete with upended drink bottle, apple core, litter including bread wrapper, and lots of uneaten bread. Two sides to every story.

Abingdon is a favourite place for (L)

This lorry from Canterbury in Kent is practising tight cornering in the centre of Abingdon. The juggernaut has just come across the 15th Century Abingdon Bridge, and can next practise clutch control round the town centre traffic system. Abingdon is a favourite place for (L)earner lorry drivers.

New Scaffolding

Some early work has begun on the Almshouses. The Herald said late last year £1M needed spending on them to put them back in order.

Work has also begun on renovating the grapes. A couple of years ago, this pub was a lively place where bands played on Sunday nights, but it changed hands and didn't look to be doing so well. So I guess it is looking for another fresh start.

Live from the Museum

A new MG exhibition called 'MG at Speed' has just opened in Abingdon Museum. A few MGs stopped by for the opening. One had even got stopped for speeding believe it or not.

In the museum, there are scalextric MG racing cars to play with... More tricky than it at first appears. I was forever retrieving the car and fettling the connecting wires. Wireless must be better!!!



There is a new free Wi-Fi in the centre of town. Its central router is in the Museum.

This is today's post being created in the museum coffee bar using CTS Wi-Fi Spot. All Free! They have a late opening for the national Night of the Museums.

Spring Festival

One thing was missing this year from the Spring Festival: A Maypole.

However there was dancing from The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers

and the Abingdon Scottish Dancers.

Punch and Judy (a little bit too scarey for some),

a little Big Band ( 4 members from the Oxford University Big Band.)

and a climbing wall. The Spring Festival marks the launch of Abingdon in Bloom, and so there are also plant stalls.

Pat Hobby, a well known retired primary school teacher and the new deputy Mayor, is taking part in a dance called Maid of Mill.

But no Maypole.

More Spring Into Abingdon

The “Spring into Abingdon” shopping promotion kicks off tomorrow and runs from 17 to 31 May. The yellow posters have begun to appear at participating shops.

This poster is mounted in Fabulous Flowers.

This one: Enjoy Every Step... Spring into Abingdon... at Clarkes.

And another poster in the doorway of the winner of 'The New Bookshop of the Year - 2008.'

"Nicki Thornton (left) and Mark Thornton (right) of the New Bookshop of the Year, Mostly Books in Abingdon, with sponsor Meryl Halls of the Booksellers Association. "

Picture BAGGED from the Booksellers Association Gallery. More details on that at the Mostly Books Blog. I knew them before they were famous.

New Mayor

Sorry to see the last mayor go, but that is what happens in Abingdon. Each year there is a new Mayor. Patrick Lonergan is the new mayor. With Pat there is not pretence or spin. What you get is what you see.

New Magazine

There will soon be a new magazine called CT (Community Times) Abingdon, produced by Linda and Martin, pictured here. They have been out promoting their forthcoming publication and handing out leaflets.

The Abingdon Morning Update

I spotted my first 'Spring into Abingdon' poster walking the dog this morning. The scheme begins this Saturday and involves the town being divided into 4 zones (red, blue, green, purple). The participating shops and restaurants (mostly independents) stamp a card if you spend over £5. Get a stamp from each zone and you get entered into the prize draw. I'm going to try to use a shop I've never used before in each of the zones. Thanks to Hester for the information on this one.

As Stephen commented to the previous post 'The Abingdon Evening News', cladding of the Co-op began yesterday.

And as it turns out, only small parts of Stert Street were resurfaced such as the Bridge Street junction and road markings. That should help people like Tipsy who left a comment some time back.

The Abingdon Evening News

Down Bath Street, Cafe Zeko are finishing off the conversion of what was 'The Eben Lark.'

The new room will serve as an art cafe room, with art supplied by Jennifer Gerard - who until recently ran the gallery in Stert Street.

(There are rumours that her former gallery - next to Mostly Books - has an interesting new owner. But that will become clear in days or weeks to come.)

Meanwhile, Stert Street is closed overnight. Workmen have resurfaced Broad Street and the entrance to the Charter Carpark,

and have begun on Stert Street again.

Abingdon and District Camera Club

There has been a week long exhibiton at Abingdon museum by Abingdon and District Camera Club marking their 30th anniversary. The pictures in this case show The Camera Club at work.

The exhibiton was in the MG room at the top of the County Hall - the room with a view over the Old Gaol. It was part of Oxfordshire Artweeks.

Dragon Boats by Vesper Rotary

The boats were pushed into the water this morning.

The Abingdon Vesper Rotary Club programme was on sale on the way in. All proceeds to charity and they made a lot of money.

The crowds came in great numbers on a glorious day.

The starter lined up the boats for the heats.

There was some friendly banter between opposing teams.

Then they were off! For the first time this year the race was through the heart of Abingdon.

Booming

And shouting.

Between races there was a fun fair, stalls, and even the chance to dry off doing some dance steps.

Europe Day - Keeping it Local

It is Europe Day. In town were a group from Schongau - Abingdon's twin town in Bavaria.

On the Market Place in the morning were a Christian Aid Stall, and a Scout Stall.

On the Market Place in the afternoon were...

The Appalachian Dancers - with band. They didn't travel quite as far as it sounds.

Then came the Rockhopper Morris, who train in Stokenchurch, but come from all over (Didcot, Haddenham in Bucks, and Hampshire). Sam Mabbett, on melodian, is just twelve years old.

There were the Mayflower Morris from Aldershot - even more an army town than Abingdon.

Then there were the Chinewrde Morris from Kenilworth. Argos in Kenilworth has just closed and people are asking why. But it seems that Kenilworth is only a few miles from out-of-town retail parks with free parking in nearby larger towns.

The hosts for the dancing were Mr Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris Dancers.

They are not to be confused with The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers who can be seen next Saturday dancing on the Market Place for the Spring Festival.

That will also be the start of the Spring into Abingdon initiative. More on that soon. That is an initiative from local people for local people.

A load of old rubbish

In one corner of the Tesco carpark are the recycle bins.

The only place I know to recycle cardboard in Abingdon - apart from compost..

And here is some rubbish fished out of the Ock, which if it does not collected soon will end up back in the River Ock - includind 3 Tesco Trolleys, 2 car batteries, and 2 bikes.

In the Steps of Saint Paul

In St Nic's church there was a book signing by an Abingdon author.

The new book, In the Steps of Saint Paul, has already been translated into 7 languages.

(Peter Walker, the author, is pictured above with Mark from Mostly Books).

Pope Benedict has announced that the year from June 29, 2008 will mark Saint Paul's 2000 anniversary.

Into the mix

The new traffic lights are up and ready to add to the Town Centre mix.

And in the Guildhall, 80 representatives of town centre businesses went at the invitation of the town council to a forum to discuss town centre vitality.

The big three issues continue to be: Traffic, Threadneedle (precinct) and Parking.

It was a chance for businesses to meet and share experiences with the town council, and with each other. The man employed by the Abingdon JEF (Joint Economic Forum) to produce an action plan for Abingdon was there to listen and add it all into the mix.

There were suggestions that any follow up meeting should also invite the District and County Council.

Good year for Bluebells

Its been a good year for bluebells (these are behind Long Alley Almshouses)

And a good year for Honesty (near St Helens Vicarage)

And Ivy, but most years seem good for Ivy. (near Slippy Bridge in the Abbey Meadows).

Too good to throw away

This charity shop had a number of deliveries over the Bank Holiday. The collection of jumble built up during the day. The notice in the window says "Please do not leave goods outside of Opening Hours."

Artweeks Oxfordshire

Artweeks exhibitions can normally be identified by the yellow and blue sign. These are just three spotted today near the centre of Abingdon:

School children's art at Our Lady's Junior School 6-9 May (9am-4 pm)

The East St Helen Street Group at St Ethelwolds House 3-11 May (12-6 pm)

Abingdon Artists at St Helens Church 3-11 May (12-5 pm)

Most of the rest are listed on the Artweeks Website.

Abingdon Air & Country Show 2008

There was a good crowd at the Abingdon Air and Country Show.

Tens of thousands of pictures must have been taken.

This one is by my wife.

This one by me. The rain had started.

The Mayor was there with her husband and his car. They had to leave early to attend an official engagement - a classical music competition in Abingdon.

The old 61 Witney to Abingdon Bus was on show. The same route is now covered by the X15.

There was a good turnout of cars by the MG Owners Club.

Behind the jet is Didcot Power Station. It must be six miles away but looks much nearer. The picture lacks perspective.

Dance / Hope 08

There was an International Dance Festival on the Market Place today. The O'Gara School of Irish Dancing are seen here with Marianne - who organised this event for the town council.

People can be seen here watching a display by the Abingdon Dance Studios.

The Mayor even had a little twirl with a young lady called Holly, with Ceroc dancers on the stage behind.

Despite all the dancing, there was still room for a Save Radley Lakes stall. They have a sponsored dog walk next Saturday starting at 1:30.

Elsewhere, all around Abingdon, upwards of 140 volunteers from the Church in Abingdon were taking part in something called Hope 08 - Hours of Kindness. These volunteers were helping remake part of the Ock Valley walk washed away by last years floods.

Others were involved in litter clearing.

New Bridge + Artwork

The new footbridge connecting the Riverside development and the Abbey Meadows has been mostly assembled, but not opened.

There are some steel strands, and lots of green painted girders and handrails + artwork.

Mayday! Call the RSPCA?

A female mallard leads her team of eleven ducklings past the end of Saxton Road

... past the end of Preston Road.

They paddle madly to change sides near Abingdon Sailing Club, as a narrow boat approaches.

and skitter away again when they see a white swan with the leg tucked onto its back. The ducklings call out "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" Should they call the RSPCA? Follow this link to find out.