There is a large stuffed banana propped up against the window of Cancer Research UK. I would guess that it started off as a prize at Abingdon Fair, and has had a colourful life.
I heard some children asking whether they could buy it – as it was only £5.
But the parents said there would not be room in the car with all of them and the banana.
Pedal Power was started on the Vineyard in Abingdon in 1979. I bought my bike there many years ago. The bike – a Dawes – is still going strong with minimal maintenenace. I sometimes return to the shop, for a new tyre, innertube, or pump.
There is now an online home for Pedal Power and I see it has a quote of the month.
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving ~ Albert Einstein
If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on. ~ Lance Armstrong
I see today that a van has taken away the last of the stock from the YMCA shop in Abingdon. They had to vacate by the end of the month as their old premises is getting knocked down in the cause of progress.
Visit the YMCA website to find where there are YMCA shops still “Helping Young people build a future.”
I see the Town Council meeting is to be held in the newer Abbey Hall at 7pm today (Wednesday 25th Jan 2012) and not the older Council Chamber …
Work has started on the refurbishment of the old part of the Guildhall (including the Council Chamber) and so the old rooms are closed until the spring. The work is more about making the rooms easy to use in terms of services. And so electricians vans and decorators are to be seen round the back.
Work on the new part will follow a report by some consultants who are looking to see whether the newer part, including the Abbey Hall, can be turned into a multi-purpose entertainment venue.
Unfortunately I cannot get to the town council meeting as I have another meeting.
I see on the agenda…
1. It is proposed to give a vote of thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for the hugely successful Extravaganza Evening they organised.
2. It is also proposed to give a vote of thanks to the museum curator who will soon be retiring.
3. There will be a report from the Guildhall Committee, and all the other committees, about progress.
4. Also the Deputy Mayor, Peter Jones, has suffered a stroke and is in hospital. So I am sure they will be sending their best wishes for a full recovery, as well as signing him off from council duties for a while.
5. At the last meeting Abingdon Town Council voted to change the name of Abingdon to Abingdon-on-Thames. It has been announced “The Vale of White Horse District Council is to consider a request from Abingdon Town Council to change the name of the parish of Abingdon to Abingdon-on-Thames when councillors meet on Wednesday 22 February 2012.
The Local Government Act 1972 enables the district council to change the name of a parish where a request has been made by a parish council.
Members of the public are invited to submit their views on this proposal in advance of the meeting.
To contact the council regarding the proposals email: democratic.services@southandvale.gov.uk.
If it does go ahead, I will consult with readers whether this blog should move to Abingdononthames.co.uk.