Monthly Archives: August 2014

Abingdon 100 years ago

The names of the men from Abingdon who served in World War 1 were read from the Roll of Service in St Helen’s Church on the Centenary of the outbreak of World War 1.
 A War to end all Wars
Abingdon Library has been collecting pictures and information about those who served, and an exhibition is also planned from Sept 8-12 in the Community Shop in Bury Street to remember those who served in World War 1.

“Please bring photographs of Abingdon people who served in the war (men & women). The photographs do not have to show the person in uniform & can have been taken at anytime in their life…” to either the Library or the Community Shop.
 A War to end all Wars
Houses in East St Helens Street are to display the story of previous inhabitants who served in World War 1 in their windows during Heritage Weekend (13-14 September).
 A War to end all Wars
One is already there.

During Heritage Weekend, in addition to the usual open properties and walks, all free, there is also a Family Activity Day on the Market Place to transport you back to Abingdon 100 years ago.

Ruby’s Vintage Fair will also be on that weekend in the Guildhall, as has happened for the last 2 years. They have a small charge for entry of £1.

Bank Holiday Weather!

Bank Holiday Weather
On what was a wet August Bank Holiday, a new notice has appeared in the ex ER Goffs Shop to say Barber Open Soon.
Bank Holiday Weather
The water feature seems to send up fountains spontaneously whenever it is raining.

There were only a few families enjoying the outdoor facilities of the Abbey Meadow at about 11am this morning. One family were playing pitch and put; two young families were in the play area; but nobody was in the Open Air Pool.
Bank Holiday Weather
The rain got heavier as the morning progressed, and eased off again in the afternoon. Shops open this Bank Holiday were more the national chains than the local independents.

Savers

In case you did not read the comments under the recent blog report on Stroll In…
Savers
Andy noticed an interesting development on the planning website. The old QS shop on High Street is going to become a Savers.

Savers have over 230 stores in the UK. They are a discount chain that sells health, beauty, household goods and medicines, rather like Superdrug. They appear to have the same parent company as Superdrug.

But before anything happens the premises needs planning permission for a new shop front.

Bath Street: From Art and Stuff to Loom Bands

Bath Street
Bath Street is the Abingdon town centre street that missed out on recent refurbishments: whether resulting from ABiTS (Abingdon Integrated Transport Strategy), or the refurbishment of the precinct. I remember Steve King campaigning on his Action4Abingdon forum to also get the Bath Street pavements done, but it did not happen.
Bath Street
The ABiTS York Stone paving only went as far as The Square, where you can find Art and Stuff, and the very friendly dog Grommet.
Bath Street
Retreat Hairdressing is down Bath Street and has old pavements.

Retreat Hairdressing are adding to Skye’s Loom to The Moon project which has already received lots of publicity, including: front page of this week’s Abingdon Herald and a large picture feature in the Daily Mail.

Skye, from Abingdon, is a 4 year old undergoing treatment for an aggressive brain tumor. The treatment involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and is not easy. So Skye’s parent have set up a charity to research into better treatment for future children. They are using Skye’s Brainwave ‘a loom to the moon’ to raise funds. Lots of children have been making Loom Bands (the year’s big craze in schools) by weaving small elastic bands together. The aim is to join them together to reach the distance to the moon.
Bath Street
Retreat Hairdressing are hoping to get enough to go up their stairs, via the hand rail, before adding it to the Moon Loom.