Belinda has had a shop in West Saint Helen Street for ten years and, to the disappointment of her many customers, has decided to close the business now that the lease has ended.

Known particularly for her homemade jewellery and ornamental items, Belinda also does jewellery repairs.

After over ten years of six-day weeks, Belinda deserves a break, but she will carry on doing repairs from home to keep her hand in and because she enjoys the challenge.

Whilst she is sad to be closing, Belinda says she has thoroughly enjoyed being a small part of the town, and wishes to thank everyone who has supported her business over the years.

There will be a sale of the remaining stock and display cabinets and furniture in January.

A new takeaway/restaurant at Number 3 West St Helen Street offers Afro-Caribbean Cuisine. They have been open for about a week and had a trial run during the Abingdon Fair. I enjoyed my first meal this evening. The Curry Goat was tender, and the rice and peas were flavourful. Good luck to them in their new venture. Check out their menu at pappys.co.uk.

Mostly Books has Ruffles by local author David Melling featured in their window at the moment.

The Bookstore has reindeer in the snow in their window and a selection of books. If you are wondering what to buy book lovers you know for Christmas, then both shops have selections on tables and more on the shelves.

Annabel from Abingdon has been writing a blog reviewing books since 2006, possibly earlier. In 2023, she has reviewed 116 books and aims to read and review 125. I often check out her reviews before deciding what to read. See https://annabookbel.net/.

Steve King also reminded me that his book ‘Now I grow oranges’ is still available. Martin Wackenier has copies on his Monday Market stall.

There are even a few copies of ‘Ten Poems about Abingdon’ available at the Bookstore and the Abingdon Museum. Most of the money from this book which I helped produce goes to the Abingdon Bridge charity.

The Barclays branch in the Square, Abingdon, is scheduled to close in February 2024. This closure follows the closure of the town’s other Barclays branch on Marcham Road in January 2020.

The decision to close the branch in the Square is attributed to the availability of alternative banking methods for most customers, with 94% of customers now using online and mobile banking services.

Barclays has stated that only 15 customers regularly rely solely on the Square branch for their banking needs. Additionally, 23% of the branch’s customers have frequented alternative branches within the past year. They say customers can use the Post Office to pay in cash and cheques and withdraw cash.

The Barclays branch in the Square, Abingdon, has existed for over a century. The 1907 Abingdon Directory lists Barclay and Company Limited in The Square, Abingdon.

For more information see https://home.barclays/content/dam/home-barclays/documents/citizenship/Reports-Publications/Reason-for-closure/Reasons-For-Closure-Abingdon-The-Square.pdf.