dogbins outnumber standard rubbish bins in the parks and country walks around Abingdon. The dogbins come in one of two colours: red ones from the Town Council,

and green ones from the district council; but underneath the livery they have the same design. There is a foot peddle to lift the lid, and a handle to attach a doglead.

The district council also stick little notices on posts to say that there are fines for people not clearing dog mess – maximum £1000.

This was the pine shop on High Street, but now it has reopened as a newsagent and convenience foodstore. For a few weeks it has had a rather tatty window awaiting this major refit. The new owner – who previously ran the newsagent Kelvin Lucy – has seen a gap in the food and grocery market on the south side of town, while the Co-op development is delayed…

People from some of the churches in Abingdon got together for an afternoon procession to celebrate Palm Sunday. They sang a song before leaving, and waived palm leaves.

Unfortuneately there were no real donkeys to be had today – it being a very busy day for donkeys, and so the procession was led by a young girl with a papier-mache donkey.

At the park they were led in singing by Ruth, the minister from Trinity. They also read the story of Palm Sunday.

The removal of the pedestrian crossings near Coxeters at the bottom of Stratton Way has made it more difficult to cross.

It does not make for pretty pictures, and the AbITs newsletter emphasises “During the work the shops, businesses and facilities in the town centre will be open as usual. Please continue to visit and show your support for the town during the improvement work.”

Shop owners are worried how this will affect their business. It is intended to make Abingdon more pedestrian friendly in the long run, but not necessarily more car friendly.