There was some criticism last year that there are far too many different websites trying to represent Abingdon and they are not joined up or giving the same picture of the town.

Today the Abingdon-on-Thames portal was launched. For the first time Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, Guildhall and Museum, and Choose Abingdon are brought together in one website. There are also additional pages for history – with a section on people and places created by Abingdon Archaelogical and Historical Society.

Then there are also sections for businesses, events, places to visit, and clubs and societies.

The first town council web site, that I remember, ran from 2000-2001. It looked good but, as I understand it, turned out to be a problem to maintain.

For a while a temporary web site was used which could at least be maintained.

That was replaced by a web site that ran from about 2005-2008. It was built on a standard package used by lots of local councils and similar bodies.

A redesign from the same company was used until yesterday.

The new portal looks the best yet. It just needs people to make sure all the content is there and updated when it changes.