New Chapter with the right medicine

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It is over three years since The Old Chemist business closed, and the windows were boarded up ten days ago. A legal notice has been stuck to the door, saying that the landlord has changed the locks and taken back possession. It gives the leaseholder fourteen days to apply to retrieve what is left inside, or their possessions will be sold or disposed of. The Abingdon Herald had more details of the history of The Old Chemist Gin Bar at https://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/24003683.abandoned-gin-bar-abingdon-repossessed/.

The clock ticks for the old leaseholder, but this will begin a new chapter for a building that once housed Abingdon Library and Smiths the Chemist. A prescription of business know-how and a dose of creativity will see the building up and about.

Avicenna, the chemist chain who took over Smiths, is the landlord.

A Memory Tree

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Thanks to Daniel for this picture of the Memory Tree.

In south Abingdon, near the marina, a tree is decorated with Christmas decorations and messages to loved ones. Many of the messages are from people who have missed loved ones who have died.

These messages have been on the tree all Christmas; today’s wind and rain knocked a few down.

Further along the river bank, a cuddly panda sat alone in the rain. The panda and the memory tree both seemed sad. Even sadder was a hearse that stopped for a few moments by the River Thames, with the word, DAUGHTER, in flowers by the coffin.

MGs back on Abingdon Market Place for Boxing Day Tradition

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There was a good turnout for the traditional Boxing Day gathering of MGs on Abingdon Market Place this morning.

Richard and Gill Martin were there to help organise the gathering on behalf of the Abingdon Works Centre MG Car club.

It was a chance to polish the MG and give it a runout, on what was a dry day,

and meet up socially with other club members for coffee from the various cafes that were open, and exchange MG news.

Those who arrived early could also get the best bargains at the fashion chain Fat Face, whose Boxing Day sale opened at 9 am.  Fat Face have news too. They were taken over by Next in October 2023.

Giant Christmas tree and more Advent windows

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A giant Christmas tree has become a festive landmark along Picklers Hill in Abingdon.

Picklers Hill is next to South Avenue, the estate that first did advent windows in Abingdon, and they have another good display in 2023.

Day 10 was ‘Batman Saves Christmas after Joker steals presents – the Abingdon Press.’

Day 24 is a nativity scene.

Not long to go. Its is 22:36 and the bells of St Helen’s are ringing, calling people to the Candlelit Midnight Mass.