Open House at 26A East St Helen Street

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In addition to opening on Saturday September 14th 2013 for Heritage Open Day
Open House
the Oxford Preservation Trust opened up the oldest house in East St Helen Street and one of the oldest in Abingdon, yesterday. The earliest owner of the house traced back so far is Sir James Braybrook, who died in 1509.
Open House
It was a chance to see the remarkable wall paintings, fire places, and ceilings. The current tenant is a  history teacher who likes to try immerse herself in the past to see what the past might really have been like, so such a house is ideal.
Open House
From the top of the house the view to one side is much as it has been for a long time.
Open House
But the other side has changed a lot in the last two years as the Old Gaol development has progressed. The work on the new part looks complete now and new neighbours have moved in. Some of them even came round to look round the open house.

But there is still lots of work to be done converting the Old Gaol itself.

Abingdon News Plus – Closing Down

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Abingdon News Plus - Closing Down
Customers in Abingdon News Plus were very sad and sorry to see that Peter Wiblin has decided to close down the shop. Peter used to run the West End Stores and Post Office in Spring Road, then moved the West End Newsagents to the Bury Street Precinct.
Abingdon News Plus - Closing Down
More recently as part of the redevelopment of the shopping centre he moved to a smaller premises, and called it Abingdon News Plus. The loss of trade during the redevelopment can not have helped, nor competition from W.H.Smith, but whatever the reasons he has finally decided to call it a day.

Original E & R Goff sign rediscovered

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Electric Cars
After many years the original E & R Goff sign has been revealed. It was rediscovered behind a sign  sponsored by the Daily Mail.

In exchange for advertising, the Daily Mail sometimes used to allow E & R Goff special deals such as free CDs to people buying the Daily Mail. But times have changed, there are not many special deals , and it has to be said the original sign is much more in keeping with the building. It is about 35 years old and dates from when Goffs took over the business from Browns(?).