Author Archives: Backstreeter

Misty start to Saturday

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There was a misty start to the day here in Abingdon and so here are a few pictures from my morning walk with camera (but no Harry).
Misty start to Saturday
Plane trees on St Helen’s Wharf fade into the distance.
Misty start to Saturday
A stone lion on a gatepost on the Drayton Road. There is not a lot of traffic at 8:30am.
Misty start to Saturday
One car turns right into the Drayton Road, at the double mini roundabout, while another heads straight to Ock Street.
Misty start to Saturday
Cars are parked tightly together on Edward Street.
Misty start to Saturday
Daffodils in Albert Park with indistinct houses in Park Road behind.
Misty start to Saturday
A colonnade of Plane trees at the bottom of Conduit Road – nothing visible beyond.

Smith’s Chemist Moving and Changing Name

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Smiths Chemist Moving
Smith’s Chemist are moving from the High Street.
Smiths Chemist Moving
Smith’s Chemist is probably Abingdon’s oldest town centre shop. There was a Mr William Smith who ran a Chemist in the High Street from at least 1830 (image from Pigot & Co National Directory). He died in 1891 at the age of 86.

In 1894 the shop moved to its current position at 21 High Street, and a A.W. Franklin took over.

There is a Francis Frith picture of the High Street in 1965 where W Smith & CO – Chemist – can be seen at 21-23 High Street. Since then number 21 has become P.B Conway Opticians, and Smiths, at 23, extended into the old Library Reading Room behind, after the library moved to Bury Street.
Smiths Chemist Moving
When the business moves to Stert Street, the name will change to Avicenna pharmacy – a group founded 20 years ago, and the UK’s largest independent pharmacy support group.

Annual Parish Meeting – Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council

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Abingdon-on-Thames
In the Parish Meeting, Abingdon Town Council provide updates of its work over the the last year. Each committee chair reports back on the work of their committee to members of the electorate who attend. This year there were 8 members of the public and Sophie Grubb from the Abingdon Herald.

A new council were elected on 7th May 2015, comprising 10 Conservative, 8 Liberal Democrats, and 1 Independent.

Key Issues from the Chairman of Finance and General Purposes:

Guildhall: the council could not get funds for the more ambitious plans they had before the election. None of the commercial partners were able to bring in sufficient funds, and their operating model was not compatible with the continued public use of the building.

Town Planning: The town council has set aside £10,000 towards a Neighbourhood Plan that could end up costing £70,000.

Lodge Hill four-way interchange: costs range from £8m to £13m. The North Abingdon housing estate could bring in £9.6m in developer funding.

Bury Street: Aberdeen Assset Management have asked to be released from their commitment to spend around £50m on redeveloping the Charter. They have not found investment partners. The District Council are asking that instead they upgrade the Co-op and Poundland shops.

Budget: 4.54% increase in Council Tax precept for the Town Council. Guildhall Project to cost £2,184,000 of which £934,000 will be a loan.

2 new Residents’ parking wardens have been employed. The County Council has come up with a better deal to keep this scheme going.

Key Issues from Amenities and Recreation:
90 new trees have been planted in the cemetery
Negotiations about a site for a new cemetery are happening confidentially
Some of the 8 Town Council play areas had safety surfaces improvements
New town signs will be going up
Town fisheries being reviewed
Abingdon in bloom successful again

Key issues from Community Services Committee:
A 2nd monthly Farmers Market has been allowed
Monday Market will be given better publicity
Markets are seen as a way of increasing footfall not a money generator for the council
Market Place was booked on 156 days last year
Grants process being revamped
23rd April – Clubs and Societies Day

Key issues from Guildhall Committee:
Plan includes:
Groundfloor entrance and cafe area – glazed at front
Removal of ramp and old steps
Improved access from Bridge Street
Stage moved to other end and Abbey Hall soundproofed
Prices for hire likely to come down after comparison with Didcot and Wantage
Previous hirers are being kept up to date with plans to entice them back

Museum
Mousehole opened as cafe
20 volunteers now help
Jane Bowen – curator since the re-opening in 2012 – has retired.
Lift now working and there are plans to cover it to stop rain getting in to the mechanism
Weather Vane to have scaffolding removed shortly

Planning
Considered 281 plans
40 members of the public came to speak
Stopped Drayton development on 3 occasions for not abiding by conditions

Town Matters raised by members of the public
Town bus service to be axed. Will the town council support a community group setting up a community bus as is happening in Witney? Town Council are happy to talk but have no budget.
Children’s Centres. Scope for communities to get share of funding to keep centres open. Will Town Concil get involved? This is a County Council matter.

Paul Mayhew-Archer looking for a cure for Parkinson’s

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Paul Mayhew-Archer
If you did not catch it live, there was a moving Inside Out special, where comedy writer Paul Mayhew-Archer went in search of a cure for Parkinson’s, a condition he was diagnosed with five years ago. It can be seen again on iPlayer.

Paul lives locally and is very well known in Abingdon as he often comperes the Mayor of Abingdon’s quiz. The picture shows him stocking up on chocolate at the Tesco in Abingdon. Chocolate may help reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.