Co-op Building - August Progress

For a while not much has changed to the front. But now the pavement is getting laid

and the front looks more like a shop front with the false window frames, pillars, and the sign frame.

I see that the Co-op have applied for an Off Licence Sales Licence covering Monday to Sunday 07:00 - 22:00. So we could be spoilt for choice soon with Londis and the Co-op.

Fire Engines, Police Cars, 4X4s, and Netball...

Next week on the Market Place will be the French Market. The week after that is Heritage Day. And today there were various things:

Fire Engines - Fire Safety Awareness

Police Cars - Speed Awareness

4X4s - promoting the Abingdon 4X4 festival at Dalton Barracks on 27th and 28th of September. Fox FM were also with them on behalf of their charity - Help An Oxfordshire Child.

And community stalls were there in the sunshine like this one from Abingdon Netball raising money for new kits. There was also a WRVS stall . WRVS organise the Abingdon Darby and Joan Club - an elderly peoples welfare club .

Incorporating "Marshall Galpin"

Marshall Galpin used to be a big name in Abingdon.

It looks now however as though Marshall Galpin Solicitors, in West Saint Helen Street, have 'merged' with Withy King.

'Withy King is one of the leading and largest law firms in the South West, with five offices in Bath, throughout Wiltshire and London.'

So now it is Withy King Incorporating Marshall Galpin.

Ponies

There were two little ponies helping to raise funds for a charity in the precinct.

Missing Planks

This morning dog walkers could not get over the bridge at the Start of the River Ock. It was cordoned off because a few planks had gone missing. Vandalism damage. By lunchtime the planks had been replaced and the dog walkers were happy again.

Two Independent Financial Advisers

Thomas & Co recently moved from Stert Street

to Lombard Street. So if you are in this area looking for an Independent Financial Adviser then "You've just found one".

Walk a bit further and orangefrogmortgages have also recently moved in where the Red Cross Shop used to be on West Saint Helen Street. All I know about orangefrogmortgages is that they sponsor Abingdon United Football Club.

So if you are down this way and you are looking for an Independent Financial Adviser "You've just found two"

Cherry Picker in East St Helen Street

East Saint Helen Street was closed this bank holiday morning to allow a cherry picker to do some roof repairs. On this occassion it was more cost effective than scaffolding.

The cherry picker is very versatile.

It can go higher than either St Helen's Church tower, or the County Hall Roof.

Temporary traffic lights

"Temporary traffic lights on Oxford Road both ways near the Northcourt Road junction in Abingdon, because of drainage works."

Its been like that for a few weeks. But now the work is over, the hold ups are over, and Northcourt has some neat looking kerb stones.

Brass Plaque

From the website of a promo company...

"Most dental practices in the past have been period buildings and converted residential houses and unfortunately, can be very limiting with regards to external advertising. Every building is different though in many ways.

Here is a list below of different suggested signs which that may suit a practice:
• Projecting Signs
• Facia Signs
• Totem Poles
• Illuminated Signs
• Advertising Boards
• Perimeter Signs
• 'A' Boards
• Brass Plaques"

In East St Helen Street it really has to be a Brass Plaque. (Good to see things may be starting to move again now at the Kings Head and Bell reflected opposite - they are seeking planning permissions to replace the toilet block)

Light on the water

at St Helen's Wharf. The central band is the Old Anchor Inn.

1984 and the Mayflower

In this hut at the bottom of St Ethelwold's, it has been said by some that, George Orwell wrote part of the novel 1984. It is also said that the ship's mast that props up much of Pulpit House, the newly converted Ask restaurant, came from the pilgrim father ship - the Mayflower.

Olympic High

Great Britain are third in the Olympic medals table. The only tribute I could find to the Olympics in Abingdon was this display at Oxfam.

Street Prayer

The weather forecast predicted torrential rain last Wednesday. As a result not many people went to town. The forecast was rain on Saturday. As a result the fitness awareness day got called off.

This group from the Vineyard Church, from South Abingdon, were doing Street Prayer in the Saturday sun.

Abingdon Horse Show of the Year 2008

Horse manure in the middle of Lombard Street?

Not every horse came in a horse box. Some trotted in from Drayton and maybe even further.

The Abingdon Show was started in 1974 by local clubs. For the last two years the event has been run by the Berkshire Downs Riding Club.

I would guess there were three hundred horses there. Large ones...

and small ones. It all took place at Rye Farm Meadow beside the River Thames in Abingdon.

From The Belltower

West St Helen's Street to the left, and East St Helen's Street to the right.

Going round anti-clockwise...

Diagonally from bottom left to top right: Twitty's Almshouses, St Helen's Court, and the Brewery Development.

Going round... The almshouses are having their roofs done in the foreground, Caldecott, and the Vale of the White Horse beyond.

and Round... The River Thames with boats at the free mooring, and the countryside of South Oxfordshire (not the Vale) beyond.

Almost full circle as continuing anti-clockwise round the tower: East St Helen's Street comes back into view, with its gardens stretching to the River.

Abingdon Bellringers

There was a wedding round about midday today. From up in the belltower the bellringers waited for the final anthem to begin their peal. The method, called Grandsire, is shown above.

These are just some of the bells in St Helen's Bell tower. They are quieter than they used to be - and well insulated during the recent rehanging. They are only two years old.

Down below are the bell ringers, a very commited and dedicated group. The men tend to ring the larger bells on the north side.

and the ladies the smaller bells on the south. The lady second from left has been ringing since she was a girl in 1953.

The large pendulum of St Helen's clock can be seen above them, marking time.

To learn more visit Abingdon Bellringers.

Fire Safety in the Home

A couple of days back we had the Fire Engines.

The next morning a booklet was delivered: Fire Safety in The Home, with a letter signed by the Vale Area Fire Risk Manager"As you are probably aware, a home in your area has recently suffered a fire... You and you family are twelve times more likely to survive a fire in your home if you have a correctly sited smoke alarm, have an escape plan, and know how to call the Fire Brigade...""

130 or 165 litres a day?

Just a day or so ago Thames Water were asking for higher water prices on the assumption they will need to pay for a huge new reservoir near Abingdon.

Inside a rainswept Guildhall, the Vale of the White Horse District Council have just put together a response on that reservoir.

The Council claim that Thames Water have over estimated water demand. The Council use government figures saying by 2030 people should consume 130 litres per day. Thames Water reckon on 165 litres per day. If the government figure is right then the reservoir would NOT be needed.

The political parties, inside the hall, agreed about that. Trouble is, the important people who make the decision are in Westminster in London, and most of the water is destined for London not here. So the Council also argued that such an important decision, which will become a precedent for public utilities across the land, needs to go through a public enquiry so local people can have their say.

Ladygrove Swings - gone

In the Ladygrove Play Area (near Chaunterell Way in South Abingdon) there is no longer a swing to be seen. It has all been cleared away ready for new equipment to be installed.

Just uploading the picture of the Ladygrove Play Area, when the window was lit up orange and blue. Outside, were two fire engines.

Sunset at Abingdon Marina

Looking across to North Quay from near the Public Slipway .

Looking across to West Quay, a few minutes later, from the Marina Park .

Muslim and Non-Muslim BBQ

This event took place at St Ethelwold's House.

The meat was Halaal (Halaal means permissible).

The idea for the event came out of a talk about the Muslim religion given some months back. Muslims and non-Muslims eating together and swapping e-mail addresses was seen as a good way of getting to know each other. Other events will follow.

Not Quite Cricket

Well, the Football season has already started!!!

This charity event at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club saw a swashbuckling batsman at the crease. The young lad with the football top was his runner. Different bowlers had a go bowling, and on average the batsman hit 22 runs off each over. Each run was worth £1 donation from the bowler.

Spot the Ball!

Morning Glory

A bright start to the day, but the weather forecast is rain sweeping in from the west.

The games kiosk on the Abbey Meadow caught the early rays this morning

as did the bindweed. Bindweed is in the same family as morning-glory and its flowers are very similar.

OK at 7

It has turned into a rainy old day. But there was sunshine first thing. This is the landing stage near Abingdon Lock at 7 AM.

Clamping in Operation 24 HRS

From September 1st Clamping will operate on the roads round Albert Park, and Abingdon School. The roads are private, and owned and maintained by the ancient Charity of Christ Hospital of Abingdon. Abingdon School Boy drivers will no longer be able to park there.

New Freeman

Sir Hugo Brunner, sitting here next to the Mayor, was chosen as a new Honorary Freeman of Abingdon yesterday.

The ceremony was feted by the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.

Rainy Day August Afternoon

When it rains like it rained today then there are some precautions you must take. Keep the window closed, otherwise passing cars will splash you in the Punchbowl.

Reroofing the Almshouses

Work continues on reroofing the Almshouses. Tiles are stacked, at the ready, above Brick Alley Almshouse.

The cupola of Long Alley Almshouse is boxed with scaffolding.

Magical Gardens

The flower display near the entrance to the Abbey Park looks quite striking this year - the ornamental gardens round the outside have a very striking purple and red display.

But come back later and some gardening magic has happened - unless my camera is deceiving me - for the purple has turned to blue.

Recruiting

Work is well underway getting Pulpit House ready to become an Ask Italian Restaurant, and they have a red sign saying they are recruiting.

In what was Modern Music / Dawsons there is also evidence of work in progress. They are looking for sales assistants. Laidlaw Supplies appear to be a discount shop selling hardware and household good etc...

The old chancellors sign is painted over and rumours are that a well known Coffee House will be opening there on the Market Place. But as yet no recruitment signs...

Crowns with Leaves

An interesting discovery was made at St Nicolas Church when the 1881 wood panelling was removed to allow work on the walls near the Blacknall's monument.

Revealed was a wall painting of coronets with leaves. The question now is whether they should be covered up again or kept on permanent display. It is not known when they date from but they are old enough to matter to local historians.

August 1st - Shop Opening

Today Outdoor Traders opens on the High Street. This picture was taken the evening before - last minute preparations were being made inside.