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.