On Friday, Ashley sent me a picture of a new sign being painted on Abingdon Bridge. The old chandlery has been improved, new floors laid, handmade blinds added, a kitchen installed and furniture added. There is seating inside, and an extended seating area outside.

Annie’s on the bridge is a new extension of Annie’s Team Room on the Oxford canal at Thrupp. They are open throughout the year from 10am to 5pm, and have a dedicated web page at http://www.anniestearoom.co.uk/Boathouse.htm.

While we were away the Chinese Kitchen closed down. It had been run for over 40 years by the Choi Family. Their goodbye notice said they began as the only Chinese takeaway in town in the 1970s, and now they think is the “right time to embrace retirement and to enjoy the next chapter in our lives.”

As for the premises there is a new notice in the window saying “Fish and Chips opening soon.”

Elsewhere in town I see a New Chinese Takeaway is Opening. When one door closes another opens.

After 81 years serving the Abingdon community and beyond, the team at Marie Boutique are sorry to announce they will be closing the doors for the last time this Autumn.

Marie was established in 1936 as a traditional Corsetry and Underwear shop in Abingdon, and has evolved under owner Amanda Prior into a destination boutique and website Pure Marie for lingerie, fashion and accessories from around the globe. Over the years, Marie has established a loyal customer base, through a dedicated and specialist bra fitting service.

Despite a dedicated search, to date no potential owner has been found to build on the longstanding heritage. After 30 years at the helm of Marie, Amanda is looking forward to spending more time with her family, (and in her garden!) whilst Verity will be moving on to a new challenge near her home in Winchester.

Over the forthcoming weeks they would love to see any customers past and present to say goodbye, and of course stock up on your favourites before it’s too late!

Watch their shop for further information about the final stock clearance.

Here is Touchwood Sports in 1975.

Here is Abingdon Sports in 2017.

It is still a stockist for the leading names in quality sports equipment. However, Yonex is now far more evident than Dunlops and Slazenger.

In 1975 if you got a tennis racket it would most likely be Dunlops or Slazenger. They supplied the rackets that helped Bjorn Borg win Wimbledon several times, but then got into financial problems and were brought up by Sports Direct as part of its rapid expansion in 2004.