Here are a couple of pictures of the Stratton Way underpass at night – at its most atmospheric.
The 1980s mural decorating the Stratton Way underpass was repainted by the original artists, Margaret and Gwynne Jones, in 2007. As well as showing off some important characters in Abingdon’s history, the artwork brightens what would otherwise be a murky underpass.
The Mural certainly has a ghostly air about it when seen at night, and brightens up the underpass in the daytime.
If, as seems to be the case, this end of the Charter is not to be cleared, maybe someone could clean up the area. Removing the hideous brick built overhead walk way would be a good start. With the promise of close on a Million quid to refurbish the Car Park and toilets, this is the least that should be done.
Also, can something be done to clean up the unit opposite Poundland.
If the powers that be want people to footfall in Abingdon on Thames, then let them be more proactive in making the place at least an attractive place to visit, Please no more he said, she said, just get on with it, and sort it out.
Have a nice Day.
When we were little we always used to look out for the otter, which is there to commemorate Abingdon’s twinning with HMS Otter, a nuclear sub. And the Venetian glass found by archaeologists at (I think) Barrow Hills, held aloft by the woman in white at the bottom of the ramp. Are there any other obscure details that anyone else knows about?
Well said Dave.
If new to Abiongdon and you find the multi-story car park, firstly this is the first thing you see which in itself is pretty horrible, then if you find your way towards the shops, you get to Poundland and an empty fronted shop. Whilst in no way am I wanting to say detrimental things about homelessness, the other two things you will see on this journey is a homeless man strumming an acoustic guitar and a woman selling “Big Issue Please”.
I think if I was a tourist I would get this far and think again, walk back to my car (which is luckily on a free two hour parking permit) and leave never to return.
The homeless man is called Ken. I often speak to him. Well sorry for the news but the Government’s cuts to the money they give councils has meant that councils have had to cut services for the homeless to get them off the streets. Also no social housing is being built and people loose their jobs etc and cannot afford private rents. It is a catch 22 situation. If people are made homeless they cannot claim benefits unless they have a permanent address. This does not apply to asylum seekers who are accommodated in hotels and given 3 meals a day.
Like I said I was in no way wanting to say detrimental things about homelessness, just that as a first image of Abingdon, the state of the Charter Building, Poundand etc is awful.
This thread started as a piece about the underground pass and has divulged slightly. I know things cost money, but the local authority needs to tidy this area up if they in any way wish to attract tourism to the town and keep local Abingdon dwellers to use their local town centre and not go to the much nicer Didcot. You would not have heard that ten years ago!
In the past 2 weeks I have visited Witney and Banbury on weekdays. Both towns were very busy and I was able to shop in both well known stores and local independent shops. Had to visit the dentist yesterday early afternoon and the precinct was virtually deserted. Bought nothing but did visit the library. Now I gather a large unit is being taken over by Superdrug, next door to Boots!!!
The Islamic glass is Medieval and was dug up in a cellar in Lombard Street by my friend Alison as part of an AAAHS dig. I will hunt out a link later on if anyone’s interested.
Good pictures of the underpass murals, thank you.
Does anyone know how we can stop the graffiti? I had a go once using household cleaners but I was completely unsuccessful.
Thank you Rachel. I knew it was significant, but just happened to get it completely wrong! Isn’t it really, really early glass?
The glass isn’t really, really early (plenty of Roman glass in Britain, for example) but it is very interesting as evidence of long-distance trade or contacts between the UK and Egypt during the 1250s or thereabout. Here is the link to a picture of it, however, it’s wrongly attributed to East St Helen Street.
It came from a pit under the cellar of a house about half-way down Lombard Street, on the southern side where there’s now a little courtyard. We recorded a timber-framed building and did a dig in the garden as well as the one in the cellar.
https://ehive.com/account/4128/object/117800
Fascinating, thank you.
Chichester Liz, the same in Chichester (although a larger town). I wonder what needs to be done?
Did you happen to notice when our big Superdrug opens?
Graffitti on mural, I seem to remember the mural was given a coat of a clear that was supposed to make removal easier. This has to be topped up every few years. There is no easy way to remove the graffitti, especially on a mural, without damage. They seem to be using more dyes, and permanent marker pens (art stores sell them in ever wider sizes). Not auto paints (acrylic)…