The Abingdon Area Committee of the VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District Council) meet on Mon 24th Nov 2014 to consider the results of the consultation into the Abbey Grounds.

The consultation considered previous studies that had some bearing on the Abbey Grounds, but really involved 30 Abingdon Community groups at a meeting on 4th November, and 60 pupils from Larkmead and Fitzharris Schools at another date. These consultees ranked how Abbey Meadow facilities are valued by the community:

The consultees also considered what could be added to improve the area with ideas such as: circular walks with better surfaces, adventure playground, picnic area, outdoor gym, bandstand …

3 scenarios have now been put together to improve the area using £500K set aside for that purpose by the VWHDC. The 3 scenarios will be first discussed at the Abingdon area committee, and then the VWHDC cabinet. Then the three scenarios will be put forward for people to vote upon during Jan – Feb 2015.

In one of the scenarios (focus on structured sport and recreation) the open air pool is opened out to the splash area and has a cafe added; in another scenario (focus on tourism and leisure) the open air pool is removed and replaced with a cafe; and in the third scenario (focus on informal use of green space) the pool is not mentioned but there are better walks.

Peter Harbour from Friends of the Outdoor Pool would love to hear from people about what the pool means to you. There is a comments area on the friends website so that would be a good place to write. He would like the pool to continue whatever else is done.

Other facilties are even more in danger because of their low usage and lack of investment. They include the tennis courts …

crazy golf, and pitch and put, especially as the VWHDC have to pay somebody to operate a second kiosk to keep them going.

The Abbey Grounds had a major refurbishment back in 2007 – funded by Heritage Lottery money. In addition the Vale of White Horse District Council created a new play area in the Abbey Meadows and a water splash area, and despite the threat of closure the town council stepped in to keep the Open Air Pool going.

The Abingdon’s Abbey Grounds riverside area is now very popular during the summer. The aims of a 2015 refurbishment are to make it popular all year round to a “wider demographic.”

The area beside the River Thames currently includes: an outdoor swimming pool, a splash water feature, pitch and putt, a crazy golf course, outdoor tennis courts, a children’s play area, and areas to walk or relax by the river. (thanks to Richard Gottfried for the picture above.)

Now more money has been found by the Vale of the White Horse District Council to put towards a project in this same area in 2015.

They are inviting community groups to come forward and take part in workshops this November. One advertised on the internet will be Tuesday 4 November 6-8pm at the Guildhall in Abingdon. From ideas that come out of this, and other workshops, they will develop 3 schemes to go to public consultation in the spring.

On the District Council web site its says “The Vale of White Horse District Council is keen to invest in these facilities to further benefit residents and to see this prime riverside site appeal to an even wider demographic, so that it attracts visitors all year-round.

From their web adverts I see they envisage the workshop taking “2 hours and in order to engage with a broad section of groups, please could you only send 1 representative from your organisation, to discuss:

→ Your assessment of how the space is currently used and by who
→ How should we improve the area and why
→ Your thoughts on how you would like to see things move forward”