Free Parking in Abingdon

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Free Parking Signs
Free Parking was introduced in December 2011 and for the first year or so there were temporary signs round car parks warning people to get a ticket for the two free hours. These are now replaced by permanent signs.

At each entrance into town there is now a Free Parking sign

Reynolds Way pharmacy have signs all round South Abingdon saying they have Free Parking. Parking was always free at Reynolds Way but it helps advertise a fairly new service – so clever marketing.

Recently Waitrose changed to have 2 hours free parking to fall in line with other carparks – they were 90 minutes.

And every morning along Wilsham Road you will see a long queue of cars who get all day Free Parking. People working in the town centre can save £5.30 (6 hour+) a day by walking the last half mile. But it is not always so popular with Wilsham Road residents.

Some of Mayott’s Neighbours

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Mayott's Neighbours
Close by on one side of Mayott House (featured yesterday) is the Cross Keys pub – re-opened after a short closure during which Greene King found a new landlord. The Cross Keys has much needed accommodation for tourists wanting to stay in Abingdon during the summer.
Mayott's Neighbours
On the other side is 100 Ock Street.

Until recently number 100 was the HQ for a company providing Cloud Based Computing Services. That company moved to Abingdon Science Park to fly a bigger cloud. Replacing them are some familiar names, to the town centre, at least …

Lansbrough Lettings were in West St Helen Street, and T & Co Financial Services were nearby in Lombard Street – tempted away by the facilities that number 100 Ock Street provides.

Also at 100 are Dr Ken Stalker, Private Dental and Implant Practice, and The Complementary Healthcare Practice.

Plans underway to demolish Mayott House

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Music Festival
There are plans underway to demolish Mayott House, the care home next to the fire station, and erect 42 (affordable) flats for frailer older people together with a communal lounge area and courtyard.
Music Festival
Currently Mayott House looks like an ordinary Abingdon terrace without any doors. The planning application says “the existing building is now outmoded and not suitable for use or conversion. As a result the home is being closed and most residents have already been found new accommodation”

The new design is three storeys high but the third storey has dormer windows in the roof – not wanting to be overbearing.

There was a public consultation a few months back about the plans. The main concern by neighbours was the disruption caused during construction. Lets hope this will provide a place where elderly people can live as independently and cheaply as possible and that it does not need knocking down in another 40 years. The plans will be decided upon in the next few weeks by the district council.

Abingdon Youth Music Festival on the hottest day of the year so far

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Following Yeah Baby last Saturday, there was another great free concert on the Market Place this Saturday
Music Festival
In 2012 the Abingdon-on-Thames Youth Music Festival took place in a downpour. This year the performers of the Vale Youth Music Centre Orchestra had glorious sunshine.
Music Festival
One annual event that is not happening this year is Abingdon’s Got Talent. It is having a short rest. Pam Ayers who won last year can keep the crown for a year or two more. She would have enjoyed this young folk group.
Music Festival
Last of the groups pictured are the Larkmead Jazz Band. Helen Ecclestone, seen here on the Baritone Saxiphone, works at Larkmead and leads lots of groups there including the lunchtime Jazz band. She also runs the Abingdon Music Centre and conducted the Abingdon Community Orchestra seen a few days ago on the blog.

The performances continued for three hours in the hot sun and were greatly appreciated by the audience.