Heads of Terms – Agreed or Not Agreed

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The Abbey Cinema, in the Guildhall, has the King’s Coronation on the large screen for anyone who books.

There will also be voting at the Guildhall tomorrow for town and district local councillors.

One issue on the eve of local elections is the future of the Abbey Cinema. There are emails between the Abbey Cinema and the Chair of the Town Council’s Community Committee, about the lease negotiations, which, if not completed by June, could see the cinema closing.

Both sides want the cinema to stay open but are waiting for the other to respond.

The Chair of the Town Council’s Community Committee said, ‘My understanding is that having agreed to the Heads of Terms informally, the Town Council has been waiting for the Abbey Cinema team to sign them.‘

The Cinema’s property consultant has replied, ‘The Heads of Terms are not agreed.  On the 17th February 2023 I responded to the Council’s consultant to various points raised by the Town Council on the draft Heads of Terms. I have yet to receive a response to that email. ‘

P.S. ‘A Head of Terms’ refers to an agreement on the key issues of a negotiation.

Abingdon Museum (Theme Day Museum)

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The County Hall has dominated Abingdon Market Place since it was built between 1678 and 1682. It housed the Berkshire County Court on the first floor until all sessions were moved to Reading in 1868. It was then used for theatre, balls, lectures, and penny readings until the Corn Exchange was built in 1884 and took over these activities.

In 1928 a new use was found for the building. It became Abingdon Museum and has continued as Abingdon Museum for nearly a century.

There are permanent exhibitions of Abingdon’s long history ( Abingdon is the longest continually inhabited town in the UK, dating back to the Iron Age.) There are also temporary exhibitions so that even locals who visit a lot can find something new.

The staff are so welcoming and informative. It is open 10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday & bank holidays (closed 24 December to 2 January).

City Daily Photo Theme: Museum.

Riverbank clean-up – Spring 2023

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Thank you to Anne for this report.

There was a great turnout of 42 pickers for the riverbank clean-up on Saturday, 29th April. This community activity saves rubbish from polluting the environment or being swept out to sea and causing damage to wildlife. The event was organised by Lynne Ford of Abibinit and Anne Smart from Carbon Cutters. They were joined by Abingdon Rotary members and heralded by the Town Crier.

Kingfisher Canoe Club could not join in because of the high water level, but 3 independent canoeists collected lots of rubbish.

They collected 18 bags of non-recyclable rubbish; and 5 bags of recyclables (1 of glass bottles, 2 of cans and 2 of plastic bottles.) The prize for the most unusual object went for a plastic parrot.

They reported to local councils: places where bins would help, dumped asbestos and overflowing bins in Rye Farm carpark, fly-tipping off Audlett Drive, and a wheelchair and supermarket trolley in the river near the Abbey Brass band hut.

Abibinit plans regular litter picks in different areas of the town, the next on 2nd July. See their website for details.