Tough time for retailers

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business change
It must be a tough time for retailers. The Peacocks store in Abingdon is now empty. The closing down sale only got down to about 20% off, then lockdown happened and now they have cleared the store.
business change
The proprietor of Abingdon Sports retired and the premises has been showing as Under Offer for a few weeks.
business change
One shop in West St Helen Street has been empty for a year. It was a nail salon before moving to Stert Street, and will now become a different nail salon.

Sunny lunchtime walk + Volunteer drivers

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Abingdon floods
There was blue sky at lunchtime in Abingdon. The Margaret Brown Gardens are still closed with barriers because of the risk of somebody falling in the fast flowing river.
Abingdon floods
The water has gone down a little and there is now some grass in front of the Cricket Clubhouse.
Abingdon floods
Further along Wilsham Road one boat has sunk.
Abingdon floods
We walked across the green grass of Caldecott Recreation Ground. 
Abingdon floods
We heard and then saw a thrush as we crossed over the River Ock. The Ock Valley Walk is also still shut with barriers.
Abingdon floods
There are lots of crocuses in the Albert Park.

I am told that Volunteer Drivers from Abingdon Volunteer Centre are using Malvin’s home number as he cannot get into their usual room to put an answerphone message on. They have three drivers but with the link to other volunteers including Covid volunteer network they are helping people.

Malvin will be helping when the Abingdon Country Market happens on 13th February and 13th March. Subject to health and safety – the markets may be outside.

People in Lockdown

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Abingdon floods
Somebody was meditating on a seat in the Abbey Meadows. That is one way to escape lockdown.
Abingdon floods
The new town council notice boards are no longer blank. A map of Abingdon town centre has been placed below two sheets about services that are closed at the moment, and the slogan – Stay Home – Protect the NHS – Save Lives.
Abingdon floods
Abingdon Museum is closed and have a project recording people’s stories of lockdown.
Abingdon floods
People in their 70s are now getting the virus vaccine. The government announced today that over ten million people in the UK have had one of the vaccines. Some people from Abingdon are going to the mass vaccination centre at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford. I saw others queuing at the charter day center today for their jab.

Another news report said that a single dose of AstraZeneca vaccine could cut transmission by 67%. Teachers, the police, and shop workers, come into contact with lots of people as part of their job, but I don’t think they get the vaccine yet. The priority is on safeguarding the most vulnerable.

Abingdon Residents gather on doorsteps to applaud Captain Sir Tom Moore and the NHS

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Abingdon floods
People in the UK (including Abingdon on Thames) returned to doorsteps at 6pm to applaud a 100-year-old veteran who had raised almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden. He died yesterday with Covid-19.
Abingdon floods
Residents of West St Helen Street were led by John, whose drum helped to bring out residents who had not heard of the proposed doorstep applause.

John said that he had intended to do one on Thursday at 8pm but then the Prime Minister announced the national applause for Wednesday at 6pm.