After a bright frosty start it has turned into a lovely sunny day. Thanks to Father Christmas and Matt for helping to feed the Reindeer on the Market Place. The reindeer and Father Christmas will be there until about 4. Also Christmas Trees and wreathes on sale. Free Parking for 2 hours. And at St Ethelwolds, crafts and cakes from those nice German ladies …
From today there will be Free Parking in Abingdon, for up to 2 hours.
Paid for by council tax payers to help shops in their local town centre thrive.
New signs remind people they still need to display a ticket even if they put no money in the machine.
So it is “No Pay” and Display.
I believe people will still need to pay for all on-street parking as that scheme is run by the County Council not the District Council. It will be interesting to see how that works out in the coming days – whether there are fuller carparks and emptier street parking places.
P.S Very easy to use, and quicker than paying …
Either enter your registration number and press the button (for that type of machine), or just press the ticket button (for the other type of machine).
There was great excitement as children looked out from front doors to see Father Christmas. This evening he was to be seen round the roads near Kennet Road.
His busy schedule can be seen on the Abingdon Lions website but I have repeated it below. He is out from 6-8pm most evenings, and on the Market Place on Saturday during the day with real reindeer …
Wednesday 7th December : Kennet Road
Thursday 8th December : Sellwood Road / South Avenue
Friday 9th December : Appleford Drive
Saturday 10th December : Market Place
Monday 12th December : Audlett Drive
Tuesday 13th December : Preston Road
Wednesday 14th December : Mill Road
Thursday 15th December : Peachcroft Northwest
Friday 16th December : Peachcroft Southeast
Monday 19th December : Boulter Drive / Alexander Close
Tuesday 20th December : Hanson Road / Langley Road
Yesterday, December 6, was a chance for many to celebrate the Feast of Saint Nicholas, whose life inspired the modern day Father Christmas. But I think St Nicolas school leave their celebration until Friday.
The new bows and garlands round the Abbey Archway appeared mid November. The garlands do have lights, but also provide a interesting display in daylight – which is an interesting innovation.
Only one of the older style across-the-street montage lights can now be seen. At one time it was one of four hung, and often in need of repair, across the High Street, but has now been moved to the top of West St Helen Street.
It has made way for the newer style lights introduced a couple of years ago and seen here on High Street – lights that are more reliable and energy efficient.
Not all of the lights were there for the extravaganza evening.
Some were being put up tonight. They are well worth another look now all is done.