These smiling people recently arrived back in Abingdon after two years working as VSO volunteers in the Gambia.
One of their escapades got into our newspapers a year ago: Townsfolk chip in to buy African artificial limb. The limb was supplied by an Abingdon company in Nuffield Way called Opcare
But M and A may not be quite ready to settle back to life in Abingdon. They have applied again to VSO to do two more years. So very soon they are likely to be leaving Abingdon to work in Cambodia.
This young Monkey Puzzle tree in the Albert Park looks cute enough.
This old Monkey Puzzle tree in the Albert Park looks like an alien species that has lost its sense of fun.
The hospital of St John stood outside the Abbey Gateway. It was the home of six poor persons fed and clothed by the abbey.
This site continued as an Almshouse after the dissolution of the Abbey in 1538, and was one of many responsibilities taken over by the new Borough of Abingdon in 1556.
The area next to the gateway became a centre of Corporate administration and the building was eventually taken over for the Borough’s own use.
St Johns almshouse in the Vineyard was built in its place for the care of six poor people. The sign reads “St John’s Hospital endowed before the Reformation, Rebuilt by The Corporation of Abingdon… Anno Dom 1801.”
A little further north, there is a road called St John’s Road.
St John was the disciple most closely associated with Mary, the mother of Jesus. St Johns Hospital was originally built near the Abbey dedicated to “Our Lady”.
St Johns Road (pictured) has grown up next to “Our Lady’s Convent.”
The new bus layby on the opposite side of the road looks almost finished, but there is still a lot of work going on in front of the Net, looking towards the back of Seeneys.
In addition, alongside Seeneys a new girder construction is being built.
Seeneys Pet Suppliers is part of Coxeter House. While the other shops that hire space at Coxeters are in the main building, Seeneys have taken an old barn, which gives them the look of a farm shop.
Peeping inside the well cluttered shop you can see that it is bursting with food and accessories for most of your standard pets: dog, cat, rabbit, fish, guinea pig, gerbil, budgie etc.