This is how far the project to lay new pavements and tidy up the streets had got to last week – just outside Ask.

This week it has gone a little further and reached Smarts. So the new pavements have moved from Ock Street, gone round The Square, and are about to move up along the High Street.

However traders up Bath Street – straight ahead on this picture – are asking why not us, since Bath Street is not part of the current project to upgrade the pavements.

Today they will be lighting the first candle of the Advent Crown in Churches round Abingdon. Yesterday I took this video of some members of Abbey Brass, conducted by Chris Macklow, performing Oh Little Town of Bethlehem. I cut it just before the last note – sorry!

While doing this I was asked by one of the ladies from The Riverside Playgroup if I knew how to get into contact with Santa Claus because they are hoping he can make an appearance on 17th December. Let Joyce know if you have any useful contacts on 01235 524833. And ask him if he has been CRB checked.

The notices say they are opening on 30th November – but they are open today as well.

Looks like work is underway to remove the puddle in front of Somerfield.

This is how it once looked – in it’s heydey – if you had forgotten.

Also I went into Somerfield and see that there are a lot more Co-op branded products in store. The Somerfield website says “Now Somerfield is part of The Co-operative family, exciting times lie ahead in your local store with the arrival of new Co-operative branded products.“

There were still groceries from the Somerfield Simply Value Range in store. As you can see I got as many as I could just in case.