An e-mail from Hesta suggested an idea called ‘Spring into Abingdon’

What about making the Market Place lively and interesting from March to May? Invite bands and community groups so there is something every Saturday.

The town council also wants it to be used more to make the town centre more colourful.

Community Groups can book at the Old Abbey House and use it for free on Saturdays. Ring the information desk at 01235 522711 if you want to check out a date. There’s room for three groups a Saturday.

Also see the Abingdon Information Centre diary for a Whats On in Abingdon.

Here we are in precinct. And all I see are red hearts

more red hearts

Even the British Heart Foundation have Hearts with messages written by celebrities and messages by ordinary people. Stuff like…

This town has been here long as I remember
This town will be here long after I am gone
This town has had her up and down times
This town keeps going on and on

St Helens Church, the Old Anchor Inn,and the Almshouses are reflected here in the River Thames at Abingdon.

The Abingdon forum has had a short discussion thread about whether our town should use the name ‘Abingdon-On-Thames’.

The longer name is and can be used. Wikipedia begins the town’s entry: “Abingdon (traditionally known as Abingdon-on-Thames)…” And The Abingdon-on-Thames Chamber of Commerce sees promotional value in ‘On-Thames’ .

I stick to ‘Abingdon’ because its shorter.

Jimmy James of the Abingdon Market Traders appeared on BBC South Today in a feature about Oxfordshire Markets. Trade is down generally because of competition from large ‘under one roof’ superstores. Younger people don’t use markets so much as their seniors.

Cargo has a Closing Down Sale. Notices say ‘Only this Store is closing’

Despite the ‘Sale Continues’ notice, Stead & Simpson has stayed closed. .

“Its gotta get bad before it gets good” was on the soundtrack of Skins tonight.