A couple of new roads have been built off Northcourt Road. The larger road is called Northcourt Mews and is next to Dunmore School.
Then not far away, and next to Fitzharrys School, is John Jones Close. I think they were built in the place of some larger houses with extensive grounds.
I was talking to Jean Jones (John’s widow) yesterday. It would be nice if somebody invited her to the opening ceremony of John Jones Close, if that has not already happened.
Jean had some strong opinions about the proposed changes to the Charter area, which she read about in the Herald. She did not agree with the proposal of putting the library and the health centre on the first floor – since both facilities are much used by the elderly, and parents with buggies.
I knew John Jones very well. He was a former Art Teacher at Larkmead for many years and as another poster has said, was Mayor and a Freeman. He was also Chairman and Leader of the Vale Council and was awarded an O.B.E. Originating from Liverpool he lived in Abingdon for the bigger part of his life. He was a lovely man who would have been chuffed to have a road named after him.
You are as a-mews-ing as ever 🙂
'Is there any chance that the dimwit who picked this name has a clue what a mews is?'
Surely everybody knows it's the sound made by a cat choir.
John Jones was a former Mayor, Freeman of Abingdon, and former Chair of the District Council. One of the more influential local politicians of recent times.
Leave it to the pensioners and Abingdon would stay like this forever!! 'we dont like change!' Abingdon doesnt evolve around you!! I do like the elderly but sometimes theyre so stuck in their ways!! Just make sure theres a cup of tea waiting and they'll make it up any travelator!!
Sorry to be ignorant, but I can''t be the only one – who please is John Jones and why does he have a roaad named afteer him?
*Curious*
As far as I remember Oxford Library is mainly on the first floor: also in Oxford, M&S, Debenhams, BHS and the big bookshops – all have childrens and older people's depts – and cafes -on upper floors and seem to be pretty well used by all age groups. There are many shopping centres around the country – and abroad – where the whole thing is either above or below ground level. So long as decent technology is used (not cheapskate or smelly, clunky 1970s versions) there should be no problem. If we want an attractive vibrant town we need to be a bit more adventurous – at least move into the late 20th century, if not the 21st!
Given the number of folks that use these facilities it will require more than one lift. A travelator was mentioned at the recent consultation.
But a lot of elderly folk don't like
using them.
Good grief – Northcourt Mews?
Is there any chance that the dimwit who picked this name has a clue what a mews is?
As a parent with buggy (and a 5 year old in tow) I don't see any particular problem with the proposed changes to the Charter area.
I would imagine (and hope) that there will be a well-maintained lift to assist those of us who can't manage the stairs.
Putting both the library and health centre on the first floor might just add another obstacle to the small person who wants to 'escape'. It hasn't happened to me (yet!) but I've heard this has happened to someone in the library.