The clock at Clock House has stopped at 6:17, and is currently resting as the building undergoes another change.

In recent years there has been a Children’s Mental Health Clinic in the old stable yard,

and a rather splendid office with two entrances where the mansion once was.

There is now a planning application to turn the Grade II Listed buildings into flats (7 x one bedroom, 16 x two bedroom and 2 x three bedroom). It was originally a residence for the Tomkins Family built around 1720. The Abingdon Area Archaeological and Historical Society has more details.

Viewing the comments on the planning application, there are worries that new residents can only get to their parking by the very narrow Winsmore Lane. Another issue is that there will only be 17 parking places for 25 flats. And another issue is that delivery vehicles, during re-development, will need to stop at the front iron gates on Ock Street – potentially causing hold ups.

Just to add that down Winsmore Lane another unused building has recently been sold and is likely to be developed. That could add to the pressure on Abingdon’s narrowest road.

According to Wikipedia “Some people from families that have lived in the town for generations follow the superstition that in walking under the gateway one should hold one’s breath to stop the gargoyles that decorate the gateway from stealing it.”

For more out of focus shots visit the City Daily Photo Bloggers theme day page.

Browsing back numbers of The Illustrated London News I came across two stories about RAF Abingdon as a parachute training centre.

The wreckage of Britain’s worst air disaster for eight years in which 41 servicemen were killed when a Hastings of R.A.F Transport Command, on a parachute training flight, fell into a barley field a few minutes after taking off from Abingdon. The aircraft was to have landed at Benson after dropping parachutists at Weston on Green, but soon after take-off the pilot radioed that he was in difficulty. A board of enquiry was set up. Meanwhile all R.A.F Hastings have been taken out of service for a thorough examination. (17 July 1965)

The Falcons, which is what the display team of No 1 Parachute Training School, Abingdon, Berkshire, call themselves, have established a new British free-fall parachuting record. This was a six-man chain falling at a speed of 120 mph, from a height of 12,000 feet over the North African desert. The men jumped separately at half-second intervals, then linked up in mid-air. (21 January 1967).

Thanks to the Illustrated London News.

This morning the Boundary Walk left the Market Place at 11am for a 4 mile walk round the 1556 Abingdon Borough Boundary. The Boundary walk runs three times a year – on Jan 1st, the 2nd May Bank Holiday, and during Heritage Open Days, and it still draws a large following.

Kevin, who normally takes the Walk About Abingdon walks, led a walk round the Heritage sights of Abingdon, pointing out features that people who have lived here for many years have not noticed before, such as where the River Stert comes out into the Thames.

There was an afternoon Lost Abbey walk, which included a real Benedictine Monk, the same one who spoke on Friday about the life of a monk (in medieval times and now). It is good to welcome monks back to Abingdon again after all this time. Something to build on.

There were also a few properties open today. The Governors were on hand at the almshouses to answer questions about the portraits lining the walls of Christ’s Hospital Hall, and the exhibition about Abingdon Bridge, built 600 years ago this year.

At the end of the day I collected some signs, and hung up the damp bunting so that it is ready for storing away under the stairs for next year.

The Mayor opened the Medieval Festival yesterday and gave a big thank to the many people involved. That includes the people who have manned properties and exhibitions. People who have opened their properties or put displays in their windows. The museum for the amazing Medieval Festival. Groups who came to perform. Those who came to exhibit, set up, and clear away. Those who led walks, and did talks, and created exhibitions. She thanked the group of volunteers I work with from the Friends of Abingdon, and the Abingdon Archaeological and Historical Society. I would also like to thank everybody who came despite yesterday’s medieval weather. Thank the national Heritage Open Day organisation, and thank the sponsors and people who donated to make sure it happens again next year.