The traditional new years day walk, round the 1556 Abingdon Boundary, began at the Market Place in front of the County Hall – now looking splendid without the scaffold.

The walk was led by Alan Bryden – who also does guided tours round the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Alan began by saying “We shall start with a run round the boundary” to which somebody responded “I’m not running round.”

This is the second time Alan has led the walk. Previously it was led by Martin Smith.

The town crier rang his bell and wished everybody we met a Happy New Year.

He had some good one liners, which I have forgotten – a visual gag will have to do instead.

Here are two ex councillors who stood down last year – Laurel Symons, and Janet Morgan – Abingdon’s latest freeman. We are hoping she will arrange to drive some sheep over Abingdon Bridge in 2012 – the one privilege afforded Abingdon Freemen and the sort of thing that should happen during a Diamond Jubilee year as well as the bun throw.

When the Old Gaol development began there was no longer room for the bins that some of the traders up Bridge Street used to park round the back of the Old Police Station. As a temporary measure those bins were moved to the front of the Old Police Station.

Two years on, those traders, without back entrances, are still in need of a better place to put those bins. I’m not sure they will be allowed back into the area designated for new restaurants in the Old Gaol.  Any ideas?