Children going to the Abbey Meadows this half term may not be able to play in the play ground.

But it is very exciting seeing the new equipment being constructed, and watching the big diggers.

Work began this week in clearing the ground for the new Abbey play area, and so the old play area, tennis courts and mini golf are being dug up.

The red rocking horse is the one piece of playground equipment that survived when the play area moved from the Abbey Gardens to the current location, and should still find a place alongside all the new equipment.

The new play area is expected to be open early summer (weather permitting).

Later in 2017 new public toilets, changing facilities and an accessible pathway will be installed.

Three years ago Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council moved from Old Abbey House.

The Vale of White Horse District had intended to dispose of the property as surplus to their needs.  It did get used for temporary accommodation after their offices in Crowmarsh Gifford burnt down. The Friends of Abingdon sought to postpone the disposal so that a community oriented use might be found, but I have not heard of any news for quite a while.

P.S Thanks to Captain Chaos for the picture of the urns by the Old Abbey House.

Vale of White Horse District Council are investing £320,000 in the Abbey Meadow play area, with an area based on Abingdon Abbey, and another based on the River Thames and Abingdon Lock.

This will use the same area as the current play area,

the crazy golf,

and the tennis courts.

VWHDC are also investing £1M in the Outdoor Pool in a separate project. Some preliminary work is already underway.