Author Archives: Backstreeter

Abingdon Town Centre Shop Changes in 2022 (16th annual review)

2022 roundup
2022 was the year the government raised restrictions left over from the Covid-19 pandemic, but the economy was hit by the energy price fluctuations caused by the war in Ukraine and sanctions.
Press on Changes in 2022 for a bigger (pdf) map version showing the changes.

Key:
Green is a vacant shop at the start of the year and is now occupied.
Yellow means a change of business.
Red is a vacant shop occupied at the start of the year.

Change in 2007 ( 6 green, 5 yellow, 10 red ) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2008 ( 10 green, 8 yellow, 13 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2009 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Gain 3
Change in 2010 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Gain 4
Change in 2011 ( 2 green, 8 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2012 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 1
Change in 2013 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2014 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2015 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2016 ( 10 green, 5 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Gain 5
Change in 2017 ( 3 green, 6 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2018 ( 7 green, 6 yellow, 4 red ) – Net Gain 3
Change in 2019 ( 4 green, 3 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2020 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 8 red) – Net Loss 2
Change in 2021 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 8 red) – Net Loss 2
Change in 2022 ( 4 green, 2 yellow, 5 red) – Net Loss 1

Welcome to:
2022 roundup
Gents Cut

Oxford Vapours

The Cowshed

The Shed

The Therapy Room

Goodbye to:
Added Ingredients
Andrews
Children’s Air Ambulance
Halifax
Hedges
PB Conway

Change to business in same premises
Al Mulino became Flaming Grill

(let me know of any mistakes in this annual roundup)

Steve King’s next book

MG enthusiasts gather on Boxing Day

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MG enthusiasts gathered on Abingdon Market Place for the Boxing Day social gathering, organised by Richard of the The Abingdon Works Centre MG Car Club.

MGs began gathering around 10 am, and some stayed until after lunch.

The sun shone, and many people enjoyed the fresh air and exercise.

The cars included an MG Midget made in the Abingdon works in 1977, with driver Roy. Bridget the Midget drove around the world in 2008/9 and then from Abingdon to Cape Town in 2011. Earlier this year, Bridget went across Europe to visit the west of Ukraine. Roy’s blog at http://www.bridgetthemidget.co.uk/ has details of their adventures, including how Bridget’s registration number causes interest at border crossings.

Midnight Service on Christmas Eve at St Helen’s

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At 10:30 pm on Christmas Eve, the bells rang to call people to the midnight service at St Helen’s Church in Abingdon. The choir processed at the start and led the singing. The rector, Revd Charles Miller, led the service, and he welcomed people from St Michael’s Church. Incense was also used, which is normal at St Michael’s and less so at St Helen’s.

During the second hymn, a candle flame was passed among people. The gospel reading was about Jesus coming as the light of the world. There was some lovely singing, thanks to the choir, and Revd Miller spoke about the real meaning of Christmas and quoted a Stephen Sondheim song with the lyric ‘Take me to a world where I can be alive’ and said that is what Jesus can do for us.

The church was packed earlier in the afternoon for the Christingle service. It was fairly full at midnight, as the rest of the town was quiet, and many were asleep.

At St Helen’s, they call their Christmas Tree a Jesse Tree (The family tree of Jesus). Through advent, it is a way of journeying through the stories of Jesus’s ancestors.

The roof of the (Lady Chapel) has panels, painted about 1390, that also show the Tree of Jesse, where Prophets and Kings alternate, ending in Jesus Christ’s crucified.

Christmas and Easter are when candles are lit in each of the chandeliers in St Helens. There are hundreds to light and then extinguish.