2nd Meeting for townpeople to voice concerns about the Guildhall’s future

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Abingdons turbulent present
The second public meeting about the Guildhall’s future also had a strong turnout with well over 100 people including about 8 councillors. The meeting had moved from the Roysse Room to St Helen’s Church, and everybody did get admitted this time. As can be seen, not many young people were there.

The format was much the same as last week and similar points were raised. It was pointed out by one speaker that it made it difficult to have ‘a discussion’ when the Town Council would not answer any questions or respond to any points raised.

Abingdon’s turbulent past

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Abingdons turbulent past
When the curate at Trinity Church, heard that this week’s National Trust lecture was about John Creemer Clarke, he suggested that they move the lecture into the main church so that they could see the window dedicated to John Creemer Clarke by his children in 1906.

The National Trust lectures were at the Abbey Hall (the modern part of the Guildhall) before that building was closed for redevelopment and then moth-balled to save money.

This week’s lecture is ‘Violence and shenanigans: A look at Abingdon’s politics through the eyes of John Creemer Clarke’ and is on at Tuesday, 23 January 2018 – 2:30pm.’
Abingdons turbulent past
The What’s On section of the Abingdon Town Council web site says “an important benefactor of the Town, Creemer Clarke ran an important clothing business and helped found Trinity Church and the Cottage Hospital, and is represented on the mural in the Town.   He was involved in many aspects of Abingdon’s political life by becoming its MP at a time when elections seem to have been much more lively with a great deal of audience participation at local meetings. It was always a relief when there was no actual violence.

The speaker, Silvia Joinson, is “a retired history teacher and a witty presenter on Abingdon’s turbulent past.”

For anybody following this blog, the second meeting about the Guildhall, for those who could not squeeze into the first, was moved to the larger building of St Helen’s Church earlier this evening.

Snow was ‘cold but fun’. Rain was no fun at all.

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Snow Rain and Wet Carpets
Snow and then rain fell on Abingdon this morning. The snow settled on car roofs but not on the pavements.
Snow Rain and Wet Carpets
Undeterred by the snow, Abingdon Rowing Club had a number of boats out on the river. About twenty minutes after taking this picture, I saw Adam – with the yellow top – at Trinity Church.
Snow Rain and Wet Carpets
Adam was on the sound desk , and I was on the projector. Nowadays, nost people sing the songs off the projector screen rather than from the hymn book. Adam said the rowing was ‘cold but fun.’ He is an ex boy scout / boy scout leader. It still took him some time to warm up his hands, as his seat and the carpet round about got more and more damp.
Snow Rain and Wet Carpets
After church the snow had turned to rain – which was no fun at all.

Advice… Don’t have your Roast confiscated at Abingdon Lock

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Roast confiscated
Boats travelling along the River Thames in Abingdon normally have the necessities on board including a galley kitchen. Favorite meals for boaters include roast dinners, and bacon, eggs or sausage sandwiches.
Roast confiscated
However boaters going through Abingdon Lock are advised to lock up those enticing cooking smells.
Roast confiscated
A notice has been erected warning that such cooking is prohibited at the lock, and such items will need to be passed to the lockstaff for safe disposal.