Sujit: at 22:34:39
Welcome to Vodafone, what brings you to our web site today?
Backstreeter: at 22:35:10
I want to find out more about the new Vodafone shop that is opening in Abingdon.
Sujit: at 22:35:23
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/find-a-store/index.htm
Backstreeter: at 22:37:10
Thanks but that did not help much. It took me to Oxford Clarendon Centre. I wanted to find out about the Abingdon store…
The 29th annual Festival of One Act Plays is taking place in the Unicorn Theatre this week. Each evening from Monday to Thursday two different groups perform. Three are then asked back by the adjudicator to perform at the gala evening on Friday.
The gala evening is usually on a Saturday but this year the festival has been cut short because of a clash with Music in the Park – organised by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council. The resulting road closure means that the acting groups are not being allowed to drive their vehicles and props to the theatre.
At the end of each play the adjudicator goes on stage to give constructive criticism to the amateur dramatic groups Then directs a short scene showing how the play could be made even better. This year’s adjudicator gave a good assessment of both plays and his suggested improvements worked.
Next year the festival organisers will run the festival a week later to avoid the clash with Music in The Park.
Work continues at Abbey House, the former HQ of the Vale of the White Horse District Council (VWHDC). Many VWHDC staff have already been moved to work at the South Oxfordshire District Council’s (SODC) HQ near Wallingford, leaving just front line staff to man the downstairs customer desks at Abbey House. The top two floors are to be taken over by staff from Oxfordshire County Council, and part of the ground floor will be used by the Abingdon Citizens Advice Bureau.
The only planning application so far is for increased ventilation. Natural ventilation will no longer be enough as staff numbers increase from 200 to 394 at peak times with Oxfordshire County Council moving staff in from out of town offices.
As well as the extra ventilation there looks to be a need for a new entrance at the side. That could be where the Citizens Advice will go. Presumably they will get their own air.
The tree in front of the Old Gaol was chopped down last week as development work moved to the Old Gaol itself and the waterfront.
The Old Gaol Heron will have to find another roost.
Here is a flash back to how the tree used to look – pictured for posterity.