Sunset on 2008

Beyond the empty tables outside the Boundary House

the sun sets.

It was the last sunset for this blackbird.

Co-op Building - December Progress

Looking through the door I can see the words 'Fairtrade Champions', 'Local Harvest', and Chilled. Empty shelves are coming out of cardboard boxes all ready for use. The new Co-op is due to open on January 22nd 2009.

But look on That Ginger Guys Blog to see the empty shelves at Woolworths being sold off. The window shows 7 days remaining. The Abingdon store closes on the 6th Jan 2009. The Didcot store closes on the 2nd.

Saint Helen's Mill Bridge

This picturesque bridge between Saint Helen's Mill, and Mill Paddock, could well be demolished by this time next year.

( John sent me the second less-known view of the same. )

The Environment Agency suggests that it is removed as a flood prevention measure because it created a blockage during the July 2007 floods.

Town Centre - End 2008

This is the state of the town centre at the end of 2008 (press on image for a bigger version and if it that looks grainy press again the (+) magnifying glass or whetever resize icon appears in your browser). (Alternatively http://www.abingdonblog.co.uk/images/abingdon2007.gif is last year's map and http://www.abingdonblog.co.uk/images/abingdon2008.gif is this year's. )

Red is a vacant shop premises that was occupied at the start of the year.
Yellow means change of ownership.
Green is a shop that was vacant at the start of the year which is now occupied.

Change in 2007 (10 red, 6 green, 5 yellow) - Net Loss 4
Change in 2008 (13 red, 10 green, 8 yellow) - Net Loss 3

Pending, but not shown here, are the imminent closure of Woolworths and Halfords, and possibly Adams who have gone into administration today, and the opening of the Co-op, including the move of the Post Office.

Not suprisingly, given the state of house sales after the credit crunch, estate agents have been merging offices.

Hodsons have closed their smaller lettings office in High Street, and concentrated at their Ock Street Office.

Bucknell and Ballard took over Adkins, and closed their Bath Street Office, to put all their operations in the High Street office. Charles Lawson have been 'closed for refurbishment' , operating more from their Oxford office, but are still using the shop front to display properties.

Elsewhere, also on the way out, Klick closed earlier this month, when the parent company went into receivership. It was also a goodbye earlier in 2008 to Jennifer Gerrard Gallery, de Paaw, Poldeli, Cargo, Birthdays, and Stead&Simpson.

On the positive side, Local Roots opened, as did Londis, the Thai Orchid Oriental Supermarket, and recently: Ask, Coffee Republic, Sweets and Chocolate, and the Honey Pot.

Of the movers: Outdoor Traders moved into larger premesis, as did Scrivins (previously known as Russel Caulton). Cafe Zeko expanded. Centre Stage moved from Bath Street to Coxeters, and Faulkner Photography moved from Coxeters to Lombard Street.

(Let me know any mistakes or omissions. This does not get proof read except by you)

Non-bio Tesco bag

This first picture of a degradable Tesco plastic carrier bag was taken on the 10th November 2008. It had got trodden into a pathway.

Six weeks on, and the bag is looking thinner. Degradable plastic bags have chemicals added to make them break down over time. Its not quite the same as bio-degradable, but who's to know the difference?

More Boxing Day Antics

This narrow boat got stuck on the shoal on the wrong side of the buoy, but with a bit of rocking and then pushing with a pole they managed to get out of trouble.

Canoeists were tempted by the Boxing Day white water at Abingdon Weir...

The guy with the beard looks to be there in case his companion gets into difficulties

For a moment he watches closely...

but then the other canoeist rights himself.

Boxing Day Run

The Abingdon MG Works centre web site says: "Blow away the cobwebs with the 14th annual Boxing Day Run starting from Abingdon Market Square. £5 per car - 50 car limit." The rally reached that limit.

I met a couple from Little Rock, Arkansas, photographing the cars. The man was originally from Abingdon, and his wife was from the States, and they were over here to visit his parents over Christmas. They had been photographing the river when they saw a number of vintage cars converging on Abingdon. On closer inspection they met the owners of this car who he knew from days gone by.

The MG works web site continues 'a chance of taking to the lanes of Oxfordshire with hoods down where possible. Classics (like horses and some people), enjoy this chance to get a bit of winter air rather than being couped up in the garage with dehumidified air being pumped into plastic preservation chambers, or whatever the 'collectors' do with them while they themselves sit in front of the fire dreaming of the accrued value.'

Not all the MGs were vintage but it is always good to see them all in Abingdon , the spiritual home of the MG car. The more recent ones were made in the factories of Cowley and Longbridge.

Your gift Unwrapped

Click here: to see the card itself from me to you. It represents somebody being given a goat on your behalf to help them get started.

Merry Christmas!

Having been forwarded this 'Buon Natale!'

from Lucca, one of Abingdon's twin towns, I thought I'd also like to say:

"Merry Christmas!" from This Abingdon to you, wherever you are.

I'll show you the unwrapped present, bought from this Oxfam window, on the blog tomorrow.

Christmas Quiz - Know your shops?

Can you put the right names by the right shop? This should be easier for people living in Abingdon.

Shop 1

Shop 2

Shop 3

Shop 4

Shop 5

Give up? The answer is here.

Name that School - 2

Its been three months since "Name that School - 1". Time for another...

The name, on the fence, of this Abingdon school has been disguised.

Two clues:
The school emblem is a deer and crown.
The school name is two words and an anagram of 'Munch Moors'

Not stealing the Holly

There is a notice outside Saint Helen's Church saying if you see a van parked outside between the hours of 6 PM and 8 AM 'Notify the police! They are stealing our roof.' We thought we had caught this man red-handed this morning, taking the precious holly. But it turned out to be an inside job and he was helping to decorate the church.

Elsewhere up West Saint Helen Street, notices have gone up to say The Co-op are looking for people with retail experience, and their opening hours.

And Frugal food have just put out their Christmas display of dried fruit, and nuts -as cake segments.

Abingdon Arts Festival 2008 and 2009

Do you remember this picture from March 2008? Twenty five artists each painted a 2 feet x 2 feet portion of Holbein's 'The ambassadors'.

On 21st March 2009 twenty five artists are needed to paint a 2 feet x 2 feet portion of Vermeer’s ‘The Art of Painting’.

If you would like a chance to paint part of a masterpiece, send your name, address, telephone number and/or e:mail address to: info@jennifergerardgallery.com Entry is a ￡10 donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care and the 25 lucky artists will draw their section of masterpiece at random on the day!

For photographers, there is an Arts Festival photography competition. Entries to be submitted by 4th March 2009. Entry forms are available from the Abingdon Town Council information centre.

Change at the Precinct

Scottish Widows, a company providing Life Assurance, pensions and investment products, and owned by Lloyds TSB, have taken over the precinct from Threadneedle properties. Threadneedle had not managed to get the precinct development underway after getting planning permission. The hope now is that Scottish Widows, the new owner, will be able to take this further.

(By the way I don't usually frig images as I don't have photoshop. This was just done with paint.)

Happy Christmas Radley Lakes

Just one week to go...

It was a good day for Thrupp Lake, the lake at the centre of the 'Save Radley Lakes' campaign. The announcement was made that it has been saved for good.

It was a good day for the Water Vole. In future the lake will be kept for the benefit of the wild life, and local people.

It should have been a good day for the man from npower, and the Save Radley Lakes campaigners. Finally they could agree about the lake's future.

It was also a good day for the house called Sandles. First it had been home to Eco Warriers, then a barracks for security men: finally it can become a wildlife education centre.

All the fly ash from Didcot Power Station is to be used by WRG (Waste Recyling Group) for covering and treating their waste, rather than filling in the lake. The man from npower said it was "Win, win all round... and a Happy Christmas present for everybody concerned with Radley Lakes.'

Two small txts

11:50 pm yesterday

RADLEY LAKES WON!! Npower announcing that lake will not be used and will be donated to the community. Deal struck to dispose of more than enough ash elsewhere. This is from reliable sources. PRESS CONFERENCE AT LAKES 2PM (wed) for those who can make it. NICE ONE!!!

8:30 am today

How about the Precinct announcement for your blog?

Change at the Broad Face

The catering awards, and large fair trade signs have gone from the side of the Broad Face now that Mellie and Robin are no longer there in charge.

Together they have done a lot for Abingdon. They ran a popular pub, serving good food, which always seemed to be doing well. It was Mellie that led the bid to get Abingdon Fairtrade status.

I expect the tradition of good food, and fairtrade coffee, will continue at the Broad Face, as most of the staff are the same. Sadly, not all!

New Lights - Town Centre

The curtain of lights in the museum windows have just appeared for the first time.

The lights along High Street are the same as previous years.

The candles round the Market Place are also new.

The River Ock Today

There is an 'Ock Valley Walk' information board at both ends of the walk, since the recent addition of this board at the Drayton Road end.

The river is riding high.

Here is the confluence of the two streams, close to where they merge into the River Thames.

The Honey Pot

The new florist in West Saint Helen Street, the Honey Pot, opened this morning, where the Busy Bee newsagent used to be.

As well as flowers, there were also Beeswax Candles, teddy bears, whicker baskets, flowers vases... Mum, and daughter ,are here serving together, and celebrating the opening with a bottle of Buchs Fizz. It is their dream to have a flower shop.

St Michael's Transformed

The work at St. Michael's is finished! The pews are gone, and the chairs should soon arrive.

The first service will be Sung Mass at 9.30 am tomorrow, 14th Dec 2008. It is the one church in Abingdon where you are likely to get incense thrown in.

Their big service of the year, the Carol Service, will happen on Christmas Eve at 6pm.

This Victorian church has been transformed. As a central feature, there is a labyrinth and centralised font. The heating and social rooms have also been modernised.

Thanks to John for the pictures. He also sent me the before picture.

But their vicar will soon be leaving, and they and St Nic's, who share a team vicar, will be looking for a replacement. The outgoing team vicar, Revd Dr Peter Doll, is to become the Canon Librarian of Norwich Cathedral - responsible for Education and the large historical library at the Cathedral.

Closing Down - Halfords and Woolworths

Three well known national names in Abingdon: Ladbrokes, Halfords and Woolworths ...

If I were a gambling man, I could go into the newly opened Ladbrokes in Bath Street and ask for the odds that Woolworths will close before Halfords.

Halfords were going to close their Abingdon shop on January 4th 2008. They even had a closing down sale with large posters, that is, until they found there was another year to run on the lease. The notice now says 'This shop is closing on January 2nd - 2009 - Your nearest Halfords is at Didcot / Oxford'.

It now looks as if Woolworths could close, even, before Halfords. (Most of us have have never known life without Woolworths.)

Since the announcement by the Woolworths administrators, Deloitte, yesterday, that they could not find a buyer, the up to 50% Sale is soon to become the total liquidation, Woolworths closing down sale.

Christmas is Coming

Only two weeks to go!

This is another frequently photographed, and painted, Abingdon view. It looks down the River Thames to Saint Helen's Church ,with boats moored on Nags Head Island. (Saint Helen's Christmas church services can be found here.)

The second picture was taken inside Trinity Church after the second advent candle was lit last Sunday. The last candle, the white one, will be lit on Christmas Day morning.

Abingdon Weir Extremes

Perhaps the most photographed place in Abingdon: Abingdon Weir begins with a row of radial gates with a walkway across.

The walkway continues but you are advised not to stray off the path - even to take photographs. Here are the walled-in sluice gates which jet foaming water across to the far side of the weir pool.

Finally there is the calm landing area for Abingdon Lock.

Growing a Hedge

A new hedge has just been planted at the end of Chaunterell Way in South Abingdon.

The hedge is made of native species that produce berries and haws.

This blackbird is eating berries from a tree at the back of the Ferry Boat House, off Wilsham Road. If the new hedge works out, there will be lots more berries.

(Hedge planted by the Abingdon Town Council outdoor staff)

Keep Trade Local

I'm Sorry that I missed last Friday's 11 AM launch of the national 'Keep Trade Local Campaign' in Abingdon, but I was working.

The campaign is aimed at raising awareness among local businesses of the skills and resources available within the town itself.

Thanks to Mark for the pictures.

The FSB ( Federation of Small Businesses) organised this event. Here Dr Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, appears to be pointing at the www.localroots.co.uk sign, for the press. (Hopefully it will make the Herald who did an excellent two pages on the Christmas Extravaganza. There are also lot more pictures on Abingdon Flickr of the Extravaganza - see side link.)

Floodlights through the trees

"Abingdon put in a much improved performance to record their first league victory for 10 matches with a 1-0 win at home to Fairford Town. Jelroy Constant is the hero with the only goal in the 72nd minute."

I heard the cheers, shortly after taking this picture of the floodlights through the trees, while walking the dog...

It may seem strange to see 'Abingdon Town Football Club - sponsored by Station Flooring Didcot'. But as I was told Station Flooring, Didcot, have been a good friend to the club over the years.

Free Parking Day

The Free Parking notice was at all the car parks - this one is at West Saint Helen Street. In addition to an 'Up to 50% Off' sale at Woolworths

there was also a Craft Market on the Market Place today.

As well as the crafts, hot punch was served by the Sea Scouts

and Save the Children had a charity collection.

Over 70s Only!

This event was for over 70s only!

It is all part of the annual Over 70s Christmas Party hosted by the Mayor. Among those who came to perform were these Abingdon lady singers

and the Abingdon handbell ringers.

Didcot, Venus, Jupiter

It has been colder.

Rowers, from Abingdon School, were out after the sun had gone down. Didcot Power Station is behind.

Venus and Jupiter are just above the trees.

Start of Advent

However many times you gather them up, the leaves just keep falling.

Fallen leaves gather round the fringes of the crazy golf

and along fences near the water feature at the Abbey Meadows.

All a bit dull and soggy.

When it got dark there were two bright lights very close together near the moon: Venus and Jupiter.

(The last picture is not mine but it shows what it was like on Dec 1st. They had drifted a little further apart by Dec 2nd. We are at the start of advent, the season of wonder. )

Penlon Place

A flashback to 2006. You can just see the corner of the tropical-looking building that served as the sales office for the estate.

Recently, in its place a wall has been built. A few trees have been planted, and a circle of grass laid.

I remember when our children were little we used to go to St Edmunds Church, and park in the Penlon grounds. Penlon have since moved to the nearby Science Park.

Co-op Building - November progress

There is a 'To Let' sign in one of the upstairs flats. The downstairs windows were put in late last week and coloured vinyl prints added. There are cold storage shelves being put inside the shop. We are probably looking at a February opening date now.

The pavement, and a cobbled area in front look finished. There used to be parking bays opposite the Co-op, which were taken away while it was built.

We learnt earlier in the month that there are plans for the Post-Office to move in with the Co-op.