Two limosines drew up this evening at Longfellow Drive to whisk away some of our sixteen year olds to their Leavers Ball.

GCSEs are all finished, and these young people will either go on to sixth form, college, or work. But tonight is their big night.

On this spot once stood Saxton Road Community Centre, and across the way the Family Centre. The Community Centre eventually had to be demolished. It was not in a safe state. It was never the most beautiful of buildings, but it was cheap and rough and ready – which was what was needed.

It is where our daughter went to playgroup, and I remember many times waiting outside with other mums or dads for cubs or brownies to finish. After it closed, there were no more cubs, brownies, scouts or guides in South Abingdon. However the family centre found a new home in Caldecott Road.

The well kept flats for elderly people at Lady Eleanor Court is behind. In the next year or so they are going to have most of the kitchens replaced.

Two lifelong friends, studying together at Abingdon College, were killed in a car crash on March 27th. One girl had hoped to become a beauty therapist and the other a journalist. This tree at the college helps their friends to remember them.

Abingdon School have good contacts and pulling power. Not only did they host Any Questions, but also this Friday they host a Cricket Match with Lord’s Tavenors.

Looking further on the noticeboard of the Busy Bee newsagent are “Bath Lift £200”

and Whist Drive.