Category Archives: pubs

Nag’s Head Refurbishment Begins / Salter Steamer Landing Changed

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Nags Head Refurbishment Begins
As you enter Abingdon, the news board outside Goffs tells you … “Riverside Pub set to reopen doors.”
Nags Head Refurbishment Begins
Yesterday Spike sent me this picture from the river saying “Renovation going well and it’s fantastic to see all the metal shutters gone and life back into this historic Abingdon pub. Forecast to open mid September.”
Nags Head Refurbishment Begins
During the work, the landing stage for Salters Steamers has had to be moved to the Upper Reaches Hotel. This may be just until the landing area is made safe.
Nags Head Refurbishment Begins
On a warm summer’s day like today there were quite a few people swimming in the river, some out in the middle, who did not see the Salter’s Steamer to Oxford until very late.
Nags Head Refurbishment Begins
One of the strongest arguments put forward for keeping the open air pool, just a short distance from this shot, was that it would protect against drownings in the river.

Quite a turn round since Mid-Week

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Punch Bowl Scaffolding
Now that there is no longer any scaffolding to be seen round the County Hall, the Punch Bowl is taking its turn to use some.

There is a “Business as Usual” sign above the “Celebrate the London 2012 Olympics Here With Coca Cola”.
Punch Bowl Scaffolding
The Team GB merchandise could well have started to fly off the shelves by now.
Punch Bowl Scaffolding
There was a slow start medal-wise – the newspapers had begun to worry mid-week. For example, The Sun printed a large Gold Medal with the words “Wanted Gold Medal. Historic bronze for our brilliant gymnasts but please, can we have just one gold. Any sport. We’re not bothered. As soon as possible. Please, COME ON TEAM GB!”

Oh we of little faith!!! There has been quite a turn round since then led by rowing and cycling.

JD Wetherspoon get planning permission in 2012

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JD Wetherspoon Thumbs Up
JD Wetherspoon got planning permission on 28th June to convert the old Post Office into a pub. The last time JD Wetherspoon tried to adapt an Abingdon premises into a pub (where Ask is now), about ten years ago, they met concerted opposition.

This time round 5 letters of objection were received, alongside 14 letters of support. Times have changed.

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council were in favour of the application so long as any outside heating was environmentally friendly – a condition the Vale District Council thought would be difficult to enforce. They also said the outside area was very small anyway. But good to see the Town Council trying to stand up to all that hot air being wasted
JD Wetherspoon Thumbs Up
It will be interesting to see how Wetherspoons change the original facade. It could look more beautiful.

The Harp Opened Last Night

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The Harp
The Plough re-opened last night – renamed as The Harp.

Looking back at the 1869 Abingdon Who’s who in Abingdon Library I see that it was called The Plough as far back as 1869 (run by S Shewry) – and was near the Railway Hotel (run by C Wyatt).

Other pubs to be found along Stert Street at that time included…

Lamb and Flag (W Dyer)
The Bear (William West)
George & Dragon (Tomothy West)
Butchers’ Arms (Frederick Wiblin)
Two Brewers (W Atkins)
Roebuck Inn (Mrs Valentine)
Bee hive

There was also John Trip, a beer retailer.