Monthly Archives: November 2014

Terry Wogan and Local Excellence Market in Town

Sir Terry Wogan was in town to sign his latest book. Not suprisingly there were lots of people about.
Terry Wogan
As noon approached a long queue formed outside the Bookstore.
Terry Wogan
to get signed copies of the book “A Little bit of common sense”.
local excellence Market
There was a local excellence Market in town today.
local excellence Market
As part of the Local Excellence Market. Abingdon Hydro were out telling people about the Share Offer. Abingdon Hydro is a not for profit company set up by local residents, to generate hydroelectric power from the River Thames by Abingdon Weir.
local excellence Market
Sir Terry Wogan kindly held a copy of the Abingdon Hydro poster I had to hand. The share sale is about a third of the way to the target, having raised £425,000.

Come rain or shine ’til 2022

Come rain or shine til 2022
On the Abingdon town portal the Abingdon Farmer’s Market is scheduled on the Third Friday of every month 8:30am-1:30pm until 17 Jun 2022 – come rain or shine.

Come rain or shine til 2022
Today was one of the rainy days, but there were lots of stalls nevertheless. The watercress man said the predicted rain was for after 1pm, but it had been splattering down since 8am.
Come rain or shine til 2022
I read in the local newspapers recently that the Farmer’s Market had been nominated for a national award.

The Wrong Goodbye – Premier

The Wrong Goodbye - Premier
At the Unicorn Theatre this week from Wednesday 19th – Saturday 22nd November there is a new play by an Abingdon author, Stephen Rees, called The Wrong Goodbye.
The Wrong Goodbye - Premier
It is the story of a man suffering early onset dementia, with his brother giving up his job to try to care for him. The play is put on by the Abingdon Drama Club.

When I see the headlines on the perspex newspaper stands nowadays, I am struck by how often there is a front page headline about a new cure or way to prevent Alzheimers. Alzheimers is the scariest condition facing people in later life. It can mean the loss of independence, dignity and a devastating impact on loved ones.

‘Future of the Vale’ Consultation meeting in Town

Future of the Vale Consultation meeting
There was a public meeting in the Guildhall in Abingdon this evening to hear about the ‘Future of the Vale’ draft local plan to 2031. The presentation involved initially an expanation of two leaflets you may have seen:
1. The Future of the Vale
2. Supporting growth in the Vale.
Future of the Vale Consultation meeting
After that a lot of people had questions.

The panel included Cllr Matthew Barber, leader of the VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District Council), and Cllr Mike Murray, head of planning, and two council planning officers.

One major concern was the loss of Green Belt from Abingdon and villages near Oxford. The panel said the green belt had not been reviewed for a long time and some of the green belt did not meet all 5 green belt criteria. They went on to say that Oxford is looking to reduce the green belt even further on the other side.

One passionate lady said ‘it’s disgraceful building on the green belt‘ and asked for a show of hands of people opposed to building on the green belt. There were a lot of hands.

Somebody from Kennington was worried about that the ribboning of Kennington being accentuated by the new plan.

The good people of Appleton and Cumnor had got the ‘The Future of The Vale’ leaflet through their doors, They also recently took part in a separate consultation about removal of land from the green belt. It ended in complete confusion.
Future of the Vale Consultation meeting
Traffic was a problem for people living off the Dunmore Road where 800 more houses are planned the other side. Already they can’t get out of Boulter Drive and Alexander Close in the morning. A recent safety change to the Wootton Road roundabout created a further new pinch point. One person said that the new developments would add roundabouts, and pedestrian crossings, and bring the road to a standstill.

Somebody else said, about Twelve Acre Drive, where 200 houses are planned, that the selling of land from Peachcroft Farm could result in no local Turkeys or Geese at Christmas.

The one big road improvement that could be allowed by all this development is a full diamond interchange onto the A34 at Lodge Hill. It could be funded by what is called the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – so long as the council officers are successful in getting grants from central government as well, and get Highway Agency approval.

CIL is a levy on land which developers pay that goes towards infrastructure.
Future of the Vale Consultation meeting
Most people left the Guildhall more dazed and confused than they had entered. They had been told they could now take part in three different public consultations:

1. Draft Local Plan to the Secretary of State. Whether to keep green belt or not etc.
2. How CIL should be spent.  A34 and Primary School and what else would a local community need? To be considered by VWHDC officers.
3. Vale Design Guide, How future developments in your area will look. To be considered by VWHDC officers. Should all new Abingdon houses have traditional gables?