Have Abingdon Public Conveniences had their day?

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In November, the Vale of White Horse District Council asked people to respond to a survey of what services are important to them.

137 people responded.
20 people (15%) thought public toilets an important public service.
There were lots of other services but for comparison …
36 people (26%) thought council car parks an important public service.

As a result it appears from last weeks Abingdon Herald that council officers have suggested that the council could save money, by closing the public conveniences.
Abingdon Public Conveniences
The superloo in the car park near West St Helen’s Street has already been decommissioned and is waiting to be taken away. It was probably the least used.
Abingdon Public Conveniences
The superloos near the cricket club could follow.
Abingdon Public Conveniences
As could the normal loo near the Abbey Meadows
Abingdon Public Conveniences
And that at the Charter.

Another question in the survey asked which services are in most need of future investment.
37 (27%) said public toilets.
24 (18%) said Car Parks.

Approximately £40,000 a year can be saved by closing the remaining three public conveniences in Abingdon,

Have Abingdon Public Conveniences had their day?

Air Raid Training at Abingdon County Hall Museum

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Air Raid Training
Yesterday in the basement of the County Hall, in Abingdon, Air Raid Wardens gave demonstrations throughout the day about what to do in case of a WWII air raid.

Given that Abingdon is close to an RAF base, and close to the MG tank factory, there is a serious risk that an attack by German bombers may hit the works or town.
Air Raid Training
Incendiary bombs like the one in this picture have caused a lot of damage in cities such as London, and Coventry, but they could be used against Abingdon.
Air Raid Training
We were told not to handle UXBs (unexploded bombs), but to scoop them up with the hoe and pan, and then put them into a bucket of sand.

We were also told about air raid shelters, and how to put on gas masks. Gas masks have special filters, and include a layer of asbestos, and should be carried at all times.

Finally we were taught some sounds to save our lives. They can be heard on this film recording of the event …

Free NHS dental checkup van

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NHS dental checkup van
The free NHS dental checkup van has been on Abingdon Market Place over the last three days, and is there again today. It is available to people who have not been to an NHS dentist in the last two years. If dental problems are found then they aim to refer people to an NHS dentist.
NHS dental checkup van
The van started a tour round Oxfordshire in November, and is trying to address a perceived lack of access to NHS dentists in Oxfordshire.