The tail end of Storm Darragh lasted through much of the day, bringing gusts across Abingdon. While small twigs and debris are scattered about, I haven’t seen any significant damage. In Roysse Court, the Christmas tree light sculpture has toppled over onto the grass. The real tree is still standing.
Pam Ayres was at the Book Store for a book signing of her new book ‘Doggedly Onwards’. It is a lifetime of poems, with some biography. Pam grew up in the Vale of White Horse, and her Berkshire accent is instantly recognisable.
Despite the wild winds, Abingdon folks turned out in force to buy the book and meet Pam who chatted with each of them, making them feel like old friends.
I told Pam I’d be spending the afternoon at another poetry event in Abingdon. Daniel Sluman, a talented poet, was reading his work to the Ock Poets at Unit 24 Bury Street, just across the way. Pam said, “You are having a poetical day.”
Daniel, a recent arrival to Abingdon, was shortlisted for the prestigious T.S. Eliot Prize for his 2021 book, Single Window. He read poems from his three published books and two poems from his forthcoming fourth collection.
The first stage of a four-phase public consultation on the redevelopment of Dalton Barracks has been ongoing and two sessions were held today in Abingdon, one in the Northcourt Centre and one in the Roysse Room. The initial focus is to gather feedback on the vision for transforming the former military site into a Garden Village that integrates with the surrounding area and reflects the sites past. Out of this will come a Master plan
Dalton Barracks, located on the site of the former RAF Abingdon airfield, will cease military operations in 2031 as part of a government initiative. The airfield was operational from 1932 to 1992, and the site has used by the army logistic corps since, so the land will have served military purposes for 99 years.
In the initial phase of development, approximately 2,750 homes are planned and incorporated into the local development plan through 2041. A second phase aims to increase this to over 5,000 homes, constructed over a longer period.
The consultation process will include a master plan and more detailed plans in 2025, with a planning application expected in 2026. If approved, construction on the first homes could begin in 2029.
The project’s official website, www.daltonbarracks.com, has more information and provides a way to give feedback and sign up for updates. Abingdon Library has feedback forms for people who prefer paper and could not get to any of the events.
Rain is falling on Abingdon High Street, reflecting the lights.
Overhead, white and blue Christmas lights make icy patterns. Bar windows have a warmer glow. The festive lights brighten what would have been a bleak evening 21 days before Christmas.
Most of the lights in Abingdon town centre are provided by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council. The candles around the Market Place have been here for almost twenty years, but this year they have been fitted with orange flames.
The modern Christmas tree sculpture, made of a frame with white and blue LED lights, was added last year.
What is new this year is the projection of turning white snowflakes against what is usually a featureless brick wall beside the junction at the bottom of Stratton Way.
Not that projections are new to Abingdon. The other provider of lights is the Bury Street Shopping Centre who do their own. They project stars onto the precinct pavement.
The lights make Abingdon a little brighter. With just 33 days until Twelfth Night, there’s time to enjoy.