There was a time, not so long ago (probably about 5-6 years), when the Vale of White Horse District Council had a strict policy towards roadside advertising, and local organisations did not feel they could promote their events effectively to passing traffic.
Now the policy seems far more lenient.
The road barrier, left in place because of troubles with the River Stert Culvert underneath, has become the temporary town noticeboard.
You cannot have missed there and elsewhere that Sweet Charity by Abingdon Operatic Society is on this week. The musical at the Amey Theatre follows a dancer through the night clubs of New York in search of love, and includes well known songs such as: ‘Big Spender’, ‘The Rhythm Of Life’ and ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’.
The system works well enough so long as events are local and are removed soon afterwards – not always the case: Mad Up Reunion in Reading back in May is still up at the end of October on Stratton Way.
Has anyone else noticed how many businesses along Ock Street feel the necessity to advertise that they are open and what they sell by placing stands outside their shops? It adds nothing to the ambience of the town centre.
The road barrier has been there well over a year (2 years plus maybe)??? Any idea how long it will be there before it’s sorted?
Hadn’t noticed the posters by the way 🙂
Oxonian-similarly the red flag that Vodafone feel they must put in the centre of Bury Street each day.
When I was doing publicity for local drama group productions, there were regulations about where and where not poster/banners could be displayed. Now they seem to be everywhere!
There was always that ‘official’ notice on spare hoardings and building site fences:
“Bill Stickers will be prosecuted”. I always wanted to meet Bill Stickers. I wonder if he is out on parole now.
I expect those rules are still in place. It’s just that nobody seems to enforce them today. Unfortunately, Anarchy leads to people taking the Law into their own hands.
Bill stickers is newcomer’s real name 😉
Another unsightly area is the mini roundabout at the top of Caldecott Rd leading onto the Industrial Site. There have been signs now chained to the roundabout advertising the Computer medic etc for many years and not only is it unsightly but a distraction on a busy roundabout.