Author Archives: Backstreeter

Lee Longlands and Vineys – merging hundreds of years of history

Lee Longlands and Vineys
On the Fairacres Retail Park there has been a revamp of the Lee Longlands store. They are marking the merger of their Vineys and Lee Longlands, Abingdon showrooms, and the Mayor of Abingdon was there to cut the ribbon. The Vineys showroom closed as part of the Fairacres phase 2 development.

Lee Longlands took over Vineys in 2002. Both businesses have been established well over 100 years. Lee Longlands was established in 1902 in Birmingham, and Vineys was established in the 1870s in Abingdon.

The store merger sees both Lee Longlands and Vineys styles of furniture in different areas of the store.

Vineys have had a number of different premises in Abingdon, selling drapery and furniture. This picture shows a shop in High Street. Mays and Vineys set up a consortium and established the Fairacres Retail Park around 1973.

Re-opening at Kings Head and Bell

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Re-opening at Kings Head and Bell
The Kings Head and Bell re-opened this evening after being closed during the summer months.

The pub had been refurbished and repainted and there was a new pub sign. The King’s head has been replaced with a Brewing Bell. According to The Town Council History Portal there was a pub here before 1554 called The Bell. In the eighteenth century the King’s Head was first added to its name.
Re-opening at Kings Head and Bell
The beer was good.

The Mayor was there with the head of the pub chain for the opening.

The major innovation from the refurbishment is enclosing a lot of the courtyard. The roof can be retracted – as happens at Wimbledon. One of the glass walls can also be opened. So on sunny days there is a courtyard, and in rain and winter there is a covered eating area near the revamped kitchen.

Abingdon Michaelmas Fair – Tuesday

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Abingdon Michaelmas Fair
The crowds were out on both Monday and Tuesday for the Michaelmas Fair.

There had been a lot of rain earlier in the day on both days, but it was mostly dry at the peak time of late afternoon and early evening.

The fair rides were not that different from previous years. But this view will change as the new old people’s flats are being built along Ock Street. The residents are going to have great views as some of the biggest rides will be opposite.
Abingdon Michaelmas Fair
The best view, unless you own a drone, is from the high swing ride at the end of Ock Street.

This picture is taken from near Reeves chip shop where people sit along the wall and eat chips.

There are also lots of vans selling chips and donuts.

Some of our local restaurants offer more exotic street food. Dorindos dressed in ponchos for the occasion.
Abingdon Michaelmas Fair
Traffic cannot get along High Street and Ock Street during the fair and so for three days, from Sunday to Tuesday, buses and cars are diverted.

A pink unicorn, made in China, joined the cuddly toys in our house today. There seemed to be a lot of people carrying pink unicorns at the fair. My guess is China is offloading a surplus.
Abingdon Michaelmas Fair
The County Hall always looks good, and the bright lights from the fair make it look stunning.

Anyway, that is all for another year. By tomorrow the fair will be gone.