Abingdon County Hall Museum looks at options for New Lift as Old Lift is repaired

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The Abingdon County Hall Museum has a small lift from street level that can take visitors to the cellar area. It first opened in July 2012, but has been out of order for all of 2023. Repairs are now underway.

In 2010, plans to install a lift to the main gallery were rejected by English Heritage, who argued that it would have caused harm to the Grade II listed building. However, Abingdon on Thames Town Council, who run the museum, have said in the past that they are committed to making the museum more accessible and are currently considering options for a larger lift. The museum manager was asked in the finance committee meeting of June 2023 to report back on options, and money has already spent on the project of a new lift.

In the meantime, visitors to the museum who need to access the upper floors can use the staircase. The staircase is located at the back of the building and has 120 steps.

Bellway starts moving earth for New Housing Estate in North Abingdon

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Bellway has started work on a new housing estate in North Abingdon to be called Radley Reach. The development, located north of Twelve Acre Drive and east of Oxford Road, will build 371 new homes, including a new sports pavilion and playing pitches.

The first phase of the development has already begun, with the earth moving and laying the first entrance from Twelve Acre Drive and some signs. The development will also include a central area of retained trees, which will be known as St. Helen’s Park.

The existing footpath to Radley College driveway has been protected with fences for the moment and a diversion is planned.

Bath Street Gas Mains Replacement

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SGN, the gas distribution company for Southern England, is replacing old metal gas pipes with new plastic pipes in Abingdon. The new pipes are yellow because that is the standard colour for gas.

The work in Bath Street is scheduled to be completed on 1st September 2023. This is part of a larger programme of gas main replacement that is being carried out in phases across Abingdon.

Modern Statue of St Edmund of Abingdon in Oxford

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A modern statue of St Edmund of Abingdon can be seen in the grounds of St Edmund Hall in Oxford. The statue depicts the saint sitting on a bench, with a book in his hand. St Edmund was a man of learning and humility. He was born in Abingdon in about 1175, and he studied in Oxford before becoming a respected lecturer and eventually Archbishop of Canterbury.

If you want to learn more about St Edmund of Abingdon, you could try the blog of A Clerk of Oxford: https://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.com/2017/11/st-edmund-and-abingdon.html .

To see the statue yourself, visit St Edmund Hall, Queen’s Lane (OX1 4AR), open daily 10:00-16:00 for free.