Category Archives: politics

Imminent Bus Cuts will make elderly feel more isolated

14 Replies

Bus Cuts
The Oxfordshire County Council cuts to the town’s subsidised bus services will happen in the next two weeks. This will make it more difficult for elderly people, without their own transport, to get into town and to the community hospital. Most effected are villages, and areas in North Abingdon away from the Oxford Road. I was approached by one elderly person yesterday in town who felt very angry about the cuts, and said that they, and others they know, will feel more isolated.
Bus Cuts
Cutting bus subsidies is being done because of cuts to local government finances imposed by central government with the aim of having a budget surplus by 2020, a target that the chancellor of the exchequer has had to abandon after the Brexit vote.

The World Comes to St Ethelwold’s House

2 Replies

St Ethelwold's House
The world arrived in a wheelchair having had a difficult week, but this event at St Ethelwold’s called ‘A Celebration of Summer’ tried to put that right.
St Ethelwold's House
There were songs of Peace and Social Justice by the Seagreen Singers
St Ethelwold's House
and circle dancing as people sat out on the lawn at St Ethelwold’s House enjoying the music, the tea and cakes.

This was followed by a time in the Sanctuary listening to the words of some of the great teachers of this world. By the end of the afternoon we hope the world is feeling more resilient and able to cope with whatever next week brings.

Independence Day – Don’t take a Leap in the Dark – Old Anchor Inn Re-opens

78 Replies

EU Referendum 2016
Both the Sun and Mirror had different ideas of what might follow a vote to leave the EU. Most of the Tabloids (Sun, Mail, Express, Star) have sided with the Leave side throughout the campaign. Only the Daily Mirror has been on the Remain Side.
EU Referendum 2016
Polling Stations were kept fairly busy here in Abingdon, as we put our cross on the voting paper: Leave or Remain in the EU.
EU Referendum 2016
Meanwhile, on the eve of the apocalypse, there was the official reopening of the Old Anchor Inn, at St Helen’s Wharf in Abingdon.
EU Referendum 2016
There was a warm atmosphere. The bar has been redecorated and looks bright. Bar staff brought round canapes. Good luck to them.

Democracy on the Market Place

73 Replies

Democracy
This picture shows a traditional scene, where four of Abingdon’s five candidates for the 1945 parliamentary election are seen holding simultaneous meetings on the Market Square (from a Picture Post currently on sale in Ebay).
Democracy
Opposing sides in the 2016 Referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU had opposing tables on the Market Place this morning.
Democracy
The Vote Leave campaigners one side …
Democracy
the Vote Remain on the other. It is good to see the normal political groupings forgotten during this single-issue campaign. Behind the Remain table are local Conservative MP, Nicola Blackwood, and members of other parties and independents