Centre Stage is moving from Bath Street to take a unit at Coxeters at the end of March.

Over the road, in Bath Street, the future of the Venue does not look certain.

The Abingdon Arts Festival 2008 runs from March 1st to March 15th. On the final day of the festival Roger McGough will be reading poetry and extracts from his autobiography ‘Said and Done’. Tickets are available at the Jenifer Gerard Gallery or at Mostly Books next door.

For the last few weeks, the poster has been in the door of the Jennifer Gerard Gallery

Over the weekend it has been joined by some less welcome notices.

There can be 200 daily adult visitors coming from the river to use the town during the boating season. Some time back the Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) abolished mooring charges and allowed boats to stay for up to five days, without charge, to encourage such trade.

Downstream from Abingdon Bridge where the banks are higher and better for cruisers there are mooring rings fixed into the concrete.

Upstream from the bridge two separate lengths of timber edged mooring were put in some years back: one length opposite the swimming pool, the other nearer Abingdon Lock. The banks are lower here and more suited to narrow boats. Stakes are driven into the bank here to secure the boats.

Every Friday from 9:30 to 11, in the Roysse Room, you will find the Country Market. Here you can buy cakes, preserves, bread, craft, plants etc. . You can also get the cheapest tea or coffee in Abingdon.

Customers used to queue outside to get in, but nowadays trade is quieter.

The Country Market, better known as the W.I Market, has been running for over 50 years in Abingdon.

I cannot guarantee there will always be a Friday Country Market in Abingdon, so visit soon. Rent is up and customer numbers are down as everywhere in Abingdon.