Sunday Working

Yesterday seemed to be a day of rest for the workers repaving the High Street.

Today the workers, from Drayton Construction, were back at work, probably making up for what has been a difficult January.

Clean Pavement

The pavement of the Abbey Shopping Centre (formerly known as the Bury Street Precinct) is looking very clean these days. I noticed it last Saturday, and again today.

Another New Road

Another fairly new Road in Abingdon is Thornley Close on the Willow Brook estate. It goes through what was the last undeveloped part of the MG Factory Site. John Thornley OBE was an important figure at the MG Car Plant. His son has written a short biography and there are pictures of him on the MG Works Club Site. I assume the road is named after him (please correct me if I'm wrong).

A path now runs between the older (by a few years) Anna Pavlova Estate, and the newer Willow Brook Estate. But both sides have a similar look.

There is also a stream to be seen running through the Anna Pavlova side. It goes underground beneath Willow Brook and the police station, and ends up in the River Ock.

New Letting Agent

A new Letting Agency opened last week.

Martin & Co have a network of over 170 franchises in the U.K, and now can boast one in West St Helen Street, Abingdon.

New Cells

Work is underway to build new cells at Abingdon Police Station, increasing the number from 13 to 30 - as reported in the Herald some weeks ago. This is not because there has been a sudden rise in criminal activity in Abingdon. It is a strategic move: the Cells will serve all of South Oxfordshire.

New Roads off Northcourt Road

A couple of new roads have been built off Northcourt Road. The larger road is called Northcourt Mews and is next to Dunmore School.

Then not far away, and next to Fitzharrys School, is John Jones Close. I think they were built in the place of some larger houses with extensive grounds.

I was talking to Jean Jones (John's widow) yesterday. It would be nice if somebody invited her to the opening ceremony of John Jones Close, if that has not already happened.

Jean had some strong opinions about the proposed changes to the Charter area, which she read about in the Herald. She did not agree with the proposal of putting the library and the health centre on the first floor - since both facilities are much used by the elderly, and parents with buggies.

Spot The Difference

This was the scene on the corner by McDonalds on Saturday 23rd January at 3 PM.

This was the same scene on Sunday 24th January at Noon.

Work has started to widen the road between Marcham Road and Colwell Drive. Cutting off the corner will let traffic turning left get round more quickly and not block the road behind. The work was held up a little because the district council tree officer put a tree preservation order on one of the trees in the picture. So now the diverted pavement will go behind one of the horse chestnut trees instead of through it.

ENERGY

The Abingdon Arts Festival is on its way, and as in previous years there is a photography competition run by the Abingdon Camera Club. The theme this year is "ENERGY", and the closing date for entries is 2nd March. All you need to know is on the Abingdon Camera Club Site.

The River Thames continues to flow at the high level of the last week or so, as does the River Ock. I think they are both on Flood Watch again.

It was suggested by Peter Wiblin ( of West End News) that the ENERGY of all the water could be harnessed to generate electricity.

Abingdon Town Football Club were playing their first match for a while against Bicester Town and won 1-0. The Chimney of Didcot Power Station is just about visible behind the ground.

1 Today

I'm afraid I got there too late in the day (like Friday at 9:45 PM) and most of the festivities were over. Just a few balloons and a banner remained.

The Co-op has been open for 1 year.

They probably had all sorts of exciting things happening earlier in the day, but... Congratulations anyway! Keep up the good work. The staff are ALL brilliant.

Ali Baba & I'll Get My Man.

Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves is on for a second week at the Unicorn Theatre, with a cast of almost forty - by The Abingdon Drama Club... It is followed soon by I'll Get My Man, also at the Unicorn.
Hope they don't mind me borrowing their animation. See the original on The Breakaleg Production Website

54 Ock Street

Last year, Leach's The Printers moved from 54 Ock Street to the Nuffield Centrum on the edge of town, leaving their old premises which includes a listed building at the front, and a narrow strip of land with Coopers Lane one side, The Post Office Sorting Office the other. and the River Ock at the bottom..

Within these challenging constraints, a plan was created to build three two bed dwellings, convert the building at the bottom into flats, and convert the listed building at the top into a shop of some sort (I believe) and flats. These pictures were taken late December, and the roof is almost on now. This was 54 Ock Street, so I wonder what the new development will be called.

Details of the history of 54, and the rest of Ock Street, are on the Ock Street Heritage Group Site - just follow 'Commercial' to find 54.

John's Miscellany (answers)

Many Thanks to Anonymous for the comprehensive details given about the life of John Alder and the construction of the Abingdon A sculptures, more recently. This is what I have in addition from John (with a bit of help from Jackie)...

The Beaconsfield Working Mens Conservative Club occupied part of the premises of the Abingdon Mechanics Institute. The reliefs are the Earl of Beaconsfield, the Marquess of Salisbury and Sir Stafford Northcote. Club activities included reading (library of around 400 books), chess drafts and smoking! Opened May 1882 by John Tomkins, an Alderman at that time.

This sign was put up by a former owner of the building but we don't know why. Possibly to make people curious.

The Fortunate Cooper, John Alder, whose small pub The Mitre was on this site, won £20,000 in the State Lottery in 1767. That is worth approximately £2,100,000 using increases in the retail price index or £28,000,000 using average earnings according to ttp://www.measuringworth.com/ppoweruk . I can't vouch for the tools accuracy.

See Anonymous' comments from yesterday for a fuller story.

These sculptures by Philip Bews and Diane Gorvin are in Neave Mews and are known as the "Abingdon A ".

This plaque represents a grant of land by Cissa c675 to nephew Hean to found a monastery.

While Hean founded the monastery, his sister Cilla founded a nunnery on or near the site of St Helen's church. See Anonymous' comments from yesterday for more details.

In East St Helen Street. this is generally explained as a reference to Richard Eli who repaired the drinking fountain in Ock Street but it has not been proved that he lived there. He died in 1732 so it is probably a memorial by a relative. See Preston, The Carswell(or Castlewell) Abingdon. Berks Archael. Journal, XLV (1941) Part I .

John's Miscellany

John E sent a miscellany of pictures from about town. He also mentioned that it is the Church in Abingdon's quiz on Friday at The Peachcroft Christian Centre. I'll give the answers provided by John tomorrow, but have a go yourself before then ...

Who are these three men and what are they doing opposite Coxeters?

What does Georgics V mean? It is Over the Fat Face Shop.

The plaque is down Stert Street. How much did he win and what is that worth in today's money?

Who are Hean and Cilla on the Abingdon A and where is it to be found?

Can you explain the message not far away. And are Cissa and Cilla related?

What is the reason for this inscription in East St Helen Street.

Art and Artists of Abingdon

There is a new exhibition showing paintings of Abingdon, and art by Abingdon Artists - ancient and modern. It was featured in the Oxford Times and there was a good crowd on the first day - Saturday - as a result.

This photo portrait of our own town Rector, the Vicar of St Helen's Church, Dr Charles Miller, was first shown in an exhibition of portraits of people living on or near the Thames. I am not sure where those large hands above him have come from. They were not in the original; but one thing about the museum at present is that there are many reflections on a bright day like today.

Many of the older pictures need to be covered with liftable dark screens to protect them from the light. The ones shown here are not so old.

After The Snow...

pavements in the town centre - that got treated - still have all the grit and salt and sand...

torrents of snow melt look to be going down the River Ock which has been on flood watch since yesterday...

and as the sun goes down, the water on the Cricket Fields just has nowhere to run away. The River Thames alongside is also on flood watch from today.

Shopping Centre Consultation

Option 1 shows...

• Improving the appearance of the shopping centre, and the gradual replacement and enlargement of the existing shops.

• The redevelopment of the Cargo and Somerfield stores with more modern shopping units on the ground floor with a new library and health centre above.

• A major new store with car parking above. That's the big orange block at the top of Option 1.

The consultation made the BBC Oxford News. They want people's opinions. Its on again today and Monday in one of the empty shops.

The Tanneries Part 2

The second half of the new Drayton Road development, on the site of the Crossroads Garage and Esso Filling Station, looks like it is nearing completion.

This is how it appears in the window of Thomas Merrifield the estate agents.

Fresh Snow

A week after the first snow, yesterday brought fresh snow overnight and through the day.

Schools were open, and most children trudged through the snow - this time - rather than getting to play out.

Today the rain has set in, so it is all starting to wash away.

Abbey Come Abbey Go

The VoWH council are running a public exhibition in the recently renamed Abbey Shopping Centre on the 15th 16th and 18th January. The exhibition will be seeking everyone's views on plans to enhance the Charter Area of Abingdon - and will also show plans for the refurbishment of Abbey Shopping Centre. Pictures hopefully to follow after the 15th.

Meanwhile, at the top of the Shopping Centre, the Abbey bank looks about to morph into Santander.

In 2004 The Spanish Bank Santander aquired the Abbey National (renamed afterwards Abbey).

Holiday Catch Up Abandoned

After the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays, the waste and recycling contractor were trying to catch up back to their normal schedule. But given the added problem of the weather that appears to be out of the question now. So rather than confuse matters further they will return directly to non-holiday collection days. That was meant to start, yesterday, Monday 11th, but Health and Safety ruled that out, so maybe Tuesday.

For the full low down see http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/ press releases.

The image above will soon be a thing of the past. Where lots of houses have the same drop off point, the mountains of black bags will give way to ...

wheelie bin parks.

Ice

The new canal cutting...

and the Marina have been frozen over - as have many of the man-made lakes.

There have been far more swans than usual flying into Abingdon - waiting near well known feeding spots like the Margaret Brown Gardens - for the next meal.

Helping Vulnerable Neigbours

Not everyone likes the snow and ice quite so much. There is a link at the side with a Help The Aged / Oxfordshire County Council information sheet about Helping Vulnerable Neighbours in these cold and slippery conditions.

I was chasing the sunset yesterday as we walked back from Abingdon Lock where the snowman family still sit, although he has lost his arm.

Here is a view over the Cricket Field...

and the view from Abingdon Bridge.

Goodbye Christmas Tree

The Town Council, and TVF hire equipment, have been recycling Christmas trees on the market place between 9am and 3pm.

(Representatives of the firemen were also out petitioning against the proposed changes to manning in Abingdon and Didcot... Public Meeting Friday 15th Guildhall 7 PM).

Here is the last we will saw of our Christmas Tree.

That was it.

Snow Creations

Tim Smith, Martin Wakenier, Lou Heffernan and Sarah Glover made and sent me pictures of these wonderful creations in the Abbey Grounds. They made the Oxford 'Ox'...

and the Vale 'White Horse'.

Thanks to Sally for this huge snowman they made yesterday.

This is the Grace Family Snowman - dressed by Harriet and built by Dad.

Elizabeth sent me "Enjoying the last of the afternoon sunshine" from near Abingdon Lock.

Thanks to John for this picture of a large snow ball in the Albert Park.

On the bench outside Thorntons was this snowman - featuring real chocolate.

A new annex at Abingdon School rapidly took shape thanks to the snow.

There was this stylish snow person at the top of Coopers Lane with arms and legs.

Finally pigeons in the snow. It felt colder today and because a lot of roads and pavements were uncleared it was slippery.

Snow on Snow on Snow

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005 film) was on TV last night, and this was the view out of our lounge window - like our own personal Narnia.

While others slept a row of snow men formed on the Market Place (thanks to Elizabeth for this one).

After a night of snow, the snow kept falling through the day...

snow on snow on snow...

I have lived in Abingdon for over 23 years, and up until today we have always looked back on 1987 as the most snowy winter.

But carry on like this and 1987 is gonna get beat. More pictures of the snow and snow creations on tomorrow's blog post.

The previous picture shows town council workmen clearing the Market Place. There were powercuts this afternoon from 4-7 affecting the High Street and the other side of West St Helen Street including the Co-op - but not our side.

And this is the national picture from a Nasa Satellite picture taken at 11.15 am today.

Snowfall Arrives In Abingdon

Snowfall that started in the north of the country earlier in the day came to Abingdon as people drove home from work.

Evening courses at Abingdon College were called off, and so as it continues snowing through the night the advice is to check the Oxfordshire County Council website for school closures or listen for announcements on all your friendly local radio breakfast shows.... BBC Radio Oxford (95.2 FM), Heart FM (102.6 or 97.4 FM), FM 107.9 and Jack FM (106.8 FM).

Fog and Frost

Fog and frost gave a white covering to everything this morning.

The trees looked like large fluffy feathers.

And the teasel was thick with cotton thread.

Opening Soon

Dream Doors where Charles Lawson once was.

Martin & Co Letting Agent where Cheques Cashed Fast used to be.

Mieneke Cox

Mieneke Cox wrote many books on the history of Abingdon over the last thirty years, and for many of us - we read it first thanks to her.

The Story of Abingdon - part one - takes us from pre history to 1186 A.D.

At the end of the book she says "In 1186 when the monastery and Abingdon's growing industries attracted new inhabitants, the town was already old. The pattern was set for the future in which we, the successors of those who trod Abingdon's streets before us, are responsible for cherishing our precious heritage."

In "Medieval Abingdon - the story of Abingdon part two" - she says "Abingdon has such a rich medieval history that it has been difficult to fit it into a small, easy-to-read book..."

In her books, she is often a story teller - retelling the stories she told children when working as Curator of Abingdon Borough Museum from 1970 until 1980. But there are other times when she relates the smaller telling details discovered through her researches as an archivist and historian of the town... Take for example The Abbey Gardener's Accounts 1388/89 "He sold whatever he could - an old fence, firewood, fish, herbage, wine, grapes, fish, vines, cider,apples, pears, nuts, an ash-tree at one shilling."

The story continues in an exciting part three - Peace and War - which takes in the Civil War where Abingdon was a garrison Town... and then beyond in subsequent books, . Mieneke Cox acknowledged she was indebted to the research of predecessors like Arthur E Preston, and Agnes C Baker etc. , and many helpers ...

She died on Tuesday 22nd December, a day before her 81st birthday, and will be greatly missed, particularly at The Abingdon Area Archaeological and Historical Society where she was an active member.

Christian Aid Walk

New Years Day and there are a choice of walks. This one is the 6.5 mile Christian Aid walk.

The route this year started and ended at St Helen's Church in Abingdon, and went via footpaths around Drayton - with a break for refreshments at Drayton Parish Church, then near Milton, Sutton Courtney and returned by Peep-a-Day lane .

Happy New Year

A picture of the sun rising on year 2010 seen from the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon at about 8:25 AM.

The strange lights seen by many drifting across the sky at 12:30 AM, after the New Year's Party, were not an invasion of Triffids, as first supposed, but instead were little candle-lit hot air balloons.