Not a good time of year to be sleeping out. I saw this tent near the river a couple of days back. Sleeping rough is not so obviously an issue here in Abingdon as in a city like Oxford but it happens. We are all made aware of homelessness at Christmas. But still a long way to go until warmer days.
A Very Happy Christmas and thanks for looking in.
The first picture shows Abingdon Town Band playing carols at the Waitrose exit – helping to cheer up people doing Christmas food shopping.
Town centre lights are looking good this year …
The County Hall is now without scaffolding, and fitted for the next 50-100 years.
The Market Place decorations are seeing their 3rd or 4th Christmas.
Lewis Baker always does a good Christmas show.
As do Helen and Douglas House.
Children are so important at Christmas.
When the Old Gaol development began there was no longer room for the bins that some of the traders up Bridge Street used to park round the back of the Old Police Station. As a temporary measure those bins were moved to the front of the Old Police Station.
Two years on, those traders, without back entrances, are still in need of a better place to put those bins. I’m not sure they will be allowed back into the area designated for new restaurants in the Old Gaol. Any ideas?
The 175th anniversary of Coxeters (founded 1836) makes Coxeters older than Sainsbury’s (founded 1869), Tesco(founded 1919), Asda (1949), Argos (1973 re-branded Green Shield Stamps shop), and Poundland (1990).
Two men were putting up the 175 years banners today. There was an article in the local newspapers last week, and the offer of a free tea tray with an old picture of Coxeters for paying customers.
Coxeters began as an ironmonger. They also got into selling furniture, household items, and bicycles. Since 1984 Coxeters have managed the property and sublet units to other traders.
See Coxeter House for more information.