Oxfordshire County Council have been investing in new street lights, in a bid to save money on energy bills and reduce CO2 emissions.

As part of a 5 year, £5 million contract, the contractor will upgrade 35,000 streetlights and illuminated signs with LED lighting.

They are also replacing old lampposts. This week has seen new lampposts along Wilsham Road and along the lower half of  Preston Road and Saxton Road.

The new LED street lights in Wilsham Road produce the same river view at night using about 75% less energy than the old fluorescent bulbs. LEDs produce very little heat, unlike fluorescent bulbs, which burn about 80% of their energy as heat.

Andy said, ‘they were replacing the bench on the double mini-roundabouts. Didn’t think much of it until I saw it today. Looks pretty special.’

The bench is dedicated to ‘Bob Wilson – Showman – 1932 – 1983’. 

Bob Wilson’s Funfairs continue to organise the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair. Bob Wilson was known as the Funfair king and the chairman of the funfair firm Bob Wilson and sons. He died in a tragic car crash in 1983.

Janet has sent a picture of the knitted post-box top on top of the post-box outside Tesco.

The monk on the Tesco traffic island fell over at the start of November and is still down.

She wonders whether a local company could sponsor the roundabout as happens in other towns.

Two bells have appeared on the pavement outside St Nicolas Church. They are cemented in to the pavement and are not designed to ring.

They are there for pedestrian safety. ‘Bell Bollards‘ are shaped to ensure that vehicles, however big, mounting the pavement will be deflected back onto the road. They will also ensure delivery lorries do not stop on this part of the pavement.