Monthly Archives: January 2013

The Umbrellas of Abingdon

I have been looking back at umbrella pictures and found lots in June 2012, the month of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Umbrellas held Abingdon Style
1. An audience enjoy a performance by Larkmead School choir on Abingdon Market Place.
Umbrellas held Abingdon Style
2. A group from St Helens Church enjoy the Jubilee street party.
Umbrellas held Abingdon Style
3. Umbrellas being held Abingdon style during the Jubilee bun throwing – to catch the buns.

For more Umbrella pictures go to City Daily Photo February Theme Day.

The repair of a miscellany in Abingdon

Clock House Repairs
A NHS Children’s clinic now occupies part of the Clock House, which when opened in 1882 was home to a Conservative Working Mens Club. Three reliefs of Tory Grandees and a magnificent window adorn the front. It is good to see repairs now taking place before the rot sets in.

For more information on the reliefs try John’s Miscellany which he did for the blog in January 2010. I and maybe others in Abingdon are is still hoping there will be a 2nd John’s Miscellany.

Two Rainbows and Floods Possible

Two Rainbows and Floods Possible
One of our North Abingdon correspondents has found a web page showing the level of the River Thames at Abingdon Lock – rising steadily again.
Two Rainbows and Floods Possible
There was a rainbow over the Upper Reaches, on Sunday, during one of a number of showers.

The night before, and after, there was heavy rain. Any remaining snow has been washed away, and this evening the Ock Valley path is already under a few inches of water again.
Two Rainbows and Floods Possible
Another rainbow was visible, on Sunday, over the road beyond Lodge Hill, currently closed by a landslide.
Two Rainbows and Floods Possible
That is halfway between Oxford and Abingdon.

It is not a way we normally walk but there is the opportunity now that it is almost car free.

Have Abingdon Public Conveniences had their day?

In November, the Vale of White Horse District Council asked people to respond to a survey of what services are important to them.

137 people responded.
20 people (15%) thought public toilets an important public service.
There were lots of other services but for comparison …
36 people (26%) thought council car parks an important public service.

As a result it appears from last weeks Abingdon Herald that council officers have suggested that the council could save money, by closing the public conveniences.
Abingdon Public Conveniences
The superloo in the car park near West St Helen’s Street has already been decommissioned and is waiting to be taken away. It was probably the least used.
Abingdon Public Conveniences
The superloos near the cricket club could follow.
Abingdon Public Conveniences
As could the normal loo near the Abbey Meadows
Abingdon Public Conveniences
And that at the Charter.

Another question in the survey asked which services are in most need of future investment.
37 (27%) said public toilets.
24 (18%) said Car Parks.

Approximately £40,000 a year can be saved by closing the remaining three public conveniences in Abingdon,

Have Abingdon Public Conveniences had their day?