There was event last week to say thankyou to people who had worked at the museum – past and present.
Some we will see again in different places doing other things -like at St Michael’s Christmas Fair yesterday.
A celebrity called Cain Dingle was in town today to open Poundland Abingdon. The Dingles are a family in the British soap Emmerdale. They tend to have Biblical names, and get into trouble with the law.
He was a few minutes late for the 11am opening and the compere had started to prepare what to do – like offering free gifts all round – if the celebrity did not show.
But the celebrity did appear from inside the shop, and there was a huge cheer. I was amazed at the size of the crowd, and at how pleased people were to see him. Some hugged him like an old friend. But then I don’t watch Emerdale.
Pudsey was in Abingdon today collecting money. Tomorrow (Friday) is the big day when much of the BBC helps to raise money for Children in Need.
(Behind him Poundland was doing a roaring first day of trade.)
Meanwhile a Christmas Tree has become a topic of much conversation since it appeared yesterday. A replacement is to be sent by the supplier, but before that happens I feel the tree is in need of a fitting caption… One Pound to Children in Need for each good one. Be generous with your good humour.
Spring Gardens Cemetery (previously known as the New Cemetery) is to see improvements over the coming months.
A new area for cremated remains has been installed in the cemetery. It will be landscaped and used when the present Garden of Remembrance is full.
A new office for cemetery enquiries, a toilet facility for visitors, and a depot area for the workers is to be installed. The old office building (shown above) is to be carted away.
Also the roadway / pathway in the Spring Gardens Cemetery will be resurfaced to improve accessibility and the environment. This is the worst stretch near the bottom and it floods on days like today but wll drain when redone.
More pictures next spring when the work is complete. But I will show respect and not intrude. It can take some people a very long time to come to terms with losing someone very close and the cemetery is a very private place.