In 1956 a clause was added to the British Road Traffic Bill so that owners of dogs allowed on a ‘designated road’ without a lead would be liable to a fine of up to £5. This sign, near the entrance of Sydenhams, shows that Ock Street in Abingdon was such a ‘designated road’. It must be the oldest dog sign in Abingdon and dates from before the Borough ceased to exist in 1974. Unless you know better.
At the Abbey Buildings last night an architect from Purcell gave an initial look at some options for increasing the usage, looking after the fabric, and improve accessibility.
This study is funded by the initial feasibility study stage of a Heritage Lottery Grant, and could lead on if selected to a stage 1 and stage 2 lottery grant and a very important project for the Abbey Buildings.
There were options and plans and ideas on display in the Checker Building, the oldest part of the Abbey Buildings – the architect told us.
The architect spoke about the options for opening up the building with an external lift, and opening up doorways that have been closed up. But all of that will not come cheap, and so a HLF grant is needed and the support of local councils, and people.
This morning there were Heritage Walks from the Market Place.
One of them, the Lost Abbey Tour, started in St Nicolas Church, and went into the history of the Great Abbey Church, and it surrounds, which once dominated the town. The Abbey Buildings, and Abbey Gateway are all that remains of that once great abbey.
The Nags Head Inn, on Abingdon Bridge, is currently getting the roof re-layed.
I am guessing from the previous underlay that this is the first time in a long time.
I have a postcard of the Nag’s Head, posted in 1916 but it could be taken years earlier. It came in the post today thanks to Ebay. All rights are reserved to the publisher A.E.H London if they or their successors still exist.
The Pub sign has large writing so it is easy to read.
A young family stand in the middle of the road, and behind them, where The Chinese Takeaway is now, is a large sign for an establishment called The Bridge. The writing beneath cannot be deciphered at this distance. But I will pop into the Library tomorrow and see if the local history section can tell me any more.
Christ’s Hospital is the charity that runs these almshouses and has done for over 450 years. One of Christ’s Hospital’s aims is to provide almshouses to townsfolk who are of good character, over 50 years of age and in need.
The Master and Governors of the charity meet every month in Christ’s Hospital Hall, in the Long Alley Almshouses (build 1446), to discuss the almshouses, and the other three principal aims of the charity.
In recent meetings the maintenance and costings for work on some of the almshouses was discussed. Work is underway this summer…
Brick Alley (brick work)
St John’s(roof)
Twitty’s(paintwork)
The Governors will open Christ’s Hospital Hall during Heritage weekend (8th September) this year. (2018 will be a fairly quiet year Heritage weekend other-wise. More soon.)