Author Archives: Backstreeter

Guildhall Meeting – Monday 26th February

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Guildhall
There will be a meeting of the Town Council Finance and General Purposes Committee on Monday 26th February at 7pm – probably in the Council Chamber.

They have a very long agenda, most of it about the Guildhall. It includes about 50 pages of minutes from the two meetings where the public asked questions about the Guildhall. Some of the questions now have answers in the agenda.

The meeting will not be in the Roysse Room as there are problems with the chimney. A protective barrier has been put round it as some pieces have fallen down, and so a survey is needed to check it’s safety. The council don’t want the chimney falling through the roof with people inside.
Guildhall
The chimney was not there when the Roysse Room was part of Abingdon School. It must have been added when the Abingdon Borough Council took it over in the alterations made by Arthur Preston. (1872 Image © William H Hooke. All Rights Reserved).
Guildhall
Other work is progressing well. The ramp has been removed from the back of the Abbey Hall.

From discussion with the County and District Council on the potential for a community hub in, or instead of, the Abbey Hall, there is a provisional timescale:
Summer 2018 – consider options
Spring 2019 – feasibility study,
Autumn 2019 – planning application
Spring / Summer 2010 – building work starts. Completion depends on the amount of work involved.

The meeting will also consider the proposal by the Regal Evesham to show films at the Abbey Hall in the short term, and other short term options. Short term could be 1 or 2 years.

Then there is a report by Ridge the architects about the state of the Abbey Hall and the feasibility of bringing it back into use in the short term, and what works will need doing and their costs.

The agenda for the meeting, and one later in the week for the Guildhall Committee, can be on the Town Council website.

Pictures at Southern Town Park

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Southern Town Park
I went for an early walk this morning and passed through Southern Town Park – a large, enclosed park with basketball court,  and lots of grass and young woodland.
Southern Town Park
There are still some methane vent pipes along the side by the houses of Andersey Way to show it was once a waste tip. Remembering back to twenty five years ago, there was a rather poor swing and a seesaw which were not enclosed, and then emptiness like you were at the end of the world.
Southern Town Park
Nowadays there are giant sand pits, a net swing, various climbing frames, picnic tables, and a zip wire, although this morning the cradle was not there – so probably being repaired.
Southern Town Park
There is also the area where the original play equipment was, although that was improved, and then refurbished again about eight years ago.
Southern Town Park
Woodland next to the park has become well established, and the rugby/football/ tennis clubs are opposite; the marina and marina park are close, as are walks by the River Thames.

The park is managed by the local Vale of the Vale of the White Horse District Council (VWHDC), while Abingdon Green Gym regularly hold work parties there. I see they will be there on March 24th, wild flower planting and litter picking.

Large Crane

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Official Guide
Anybody travelling along the Marcham Road will see the large crane in the grounds of the soon to be expanded Oxford Abingdon Hotel.
Official Guide
The first thing that struck me is that the long jib sticks out as far as Homebase. It is a wonder it does not topple over.

I will be back in a couple of months time to see how the building has started to grow.

Abingdon born film maker vists ABCD FILM SOCIETY on Feb 22nd

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Thanks to Mike for this …
Official Guide
Ian Wiblin, who hails from Abingdon, is to visit Abingdon’s local film club on Februray 22 to present The View from our House, which he co-directed with Anthea Kennedy. The film, made in 2013, is a thoughtful, engrossing and quietly moving ‘film essay’ based in part on the memories, unsent letters and notebooks of a young Jewish woman who lived in 1930s Berlin, and then fled to the UK, where she became a successful photographer.

The film was shown at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and at venues, including the Whitechapel Gallery, London, and at the Liverpool ‘Look15’ International Festival of Photography.

Ian Wiblin, in addition to his film work, has exhibited work internationally as a photographer over many years. He is currently a lecturer on film and photography at the University of South Wales.

The event is at 7.45pm on February 22nd at the Abingdon Health and Wellbeing Centre, Audlett Drive, Abingdon OX14 3GD. Admission is £6 (£3 full time students).

To contact ABCD for a copy of the programme, email info@abfilms.org.uk or phone 01235 521976/522163. The website with full details is www.abfilms.org.uk.