
The Abingdon Bridge (TAB), who provide free support and advice to young people, are moving into new premises in the next few days. They are moving just up the road to 19 Bridge Street in what was the former County Police Station. This is a listed building which has been completely refurbished as part of The Old Gaol Redevelopment Programme.

The old premises were looking in need of a major refurbishment and that is what they will now get as they are converted to luxury apartments.

The work of The Abingdon Bridge includes promoting healthier lifestyles amongst young people as well as a sexual health programme, career guidance and 1:1 counselling. To support them financially visit their support page.
Retrospective planning application for Sign outside Drayton Road Field

A field off the Drayton Road where contested plans for houses are still under consideration is currently full of buttercups. Here is the Timeline so far
Aug 2012: Hallam Land Management consult on proposed plans for 170 houses in field off Drayton Road
Nov 2012: Plans are Submitted by Hallam Land Management for 159 houses in field off Drayton Road
Nov 2012: Large Public Meeting against the plans at Guildhall
Jan 2012: VWHDC turns down planning application
Feb 2013: Hallam Land Management launch appeal
Feb 2013: Second Public Meeting against the plans at Guildhall
May 2013: Planning appeal held at Guildhall
Jul 2013: Appeal Decision allows plans so long as the traffic mitigation measures (pedestrian lights to hold up traffic) are put in place

??? ????: Hallam Sells land to Taylor Wimpey
Mar 2014: Taylor Wimpey sign erected outside field
Mar 2014: Hallam’s Traffic mitigation measures are rejected by Oxfordshire County Council
Apr 2014: Taylor Wimpey put in retrospective planning application for sign ‘Land Acquired’
Hallam Land Management Website says “Our application for 159 units was granted in the Spring of 2013. The land was sold to a national developer in Spring of 2014”.
Taylor Wimpey website says “The site at Drayton Road, Abingdon already has detailed consent, however Taylor Wimpey will be replanning and lodging a new application in Spring 2014.”
New Estate Agent and Betting Shop – as seen on #twitter

Colin @theabingdontaxi May 18
I see yet another estate agency is to set up on the High Street #Abingdon in the old A-Plan offices.
Weddywoo @Wendywirdz May 18
Just what we needed!! #estateagents #Abingdon

Abingdon Blog @AbingdonBlog May 18
… and another betting shop. This could be our lucky week!!!
Weddywoo @Wendywirdz May 18
All we need now to complete the arrival is a charity shop……or maybe a hairdressers?
European School in Culham, May Fair and Art Exhibition

At the European School in Culham, yesterday, there was a May Fair run by the Parents Association, with the added attraction of a Primary School Art Exhibition in the chapel.
The sun shone all day, and there were some excellent bands playing while people were served with BBQ food, and candy floss. There was also the chance to try out things like pottery and circus skills.

Even a chance to try some other languages. The second hand book stall had boxes divided into English, French, German, Dutch and Italian, and the parent selling the books spoke French and English and German interchangeably.

The art exhibiton had some interesting and lively art. I was interested to see that Uffington is spelt with an H in French, as in Huffington Post.

There was a stage with spoon puppets, surrounded by programmes – designed by the children for different shows.

Portraits cut out and stuck on bright pieces of paper worked very well as did a lot of the projects.

My favorite project had to be Quasimodo with all his parts described with appropriate adjectives: les pieds déformés , la bouche malodorante …
P.S. The European Elections are on Thursday 22 May 2014 with polling stations opening between 7am and 10pm.