1972 was the year of Glam rock: T-Rex, Garry Glitter, Slade, David Bowie, Sweet, and Elton John. 1972 was also the year that Caldecott House was replaced by St Amand Drive. On the outer curve of the St Amand Drive (cresent) you find detached houses like the first two pictured.

And on the inner curve are terraces of three story houses that have roof tiles that come down like a knight’s visor.

Branching off St Amand Drive are other roads named after former occupants of Caldecott House (Bailie and Musson), and of early Town Clerks (Godfrey and Sympson).

There is also Thurston Close where this house is being extended. The gardens on the northern edge of the estate are huge, and run all the way to the River Ock.

Finally, there are the little green and wooded areas where younger children play. All protected by the long wall that runs along Caldecott Road.

St Amand Drive is named after Lord Almaric St. Amand, the one time owner of the manor of St Helens. He once owned much of the land to the South of Abingdon. Lord Almaric donated land to build the Long Alley almshouses.

Lord Almaric St. Amand is a great name to grace the year of glam rock: 1972.