Just before the launch of the Abingdon Partnership, there was an awards ceremony for businesses in Abingdon Town Centre that had done well in a recent Disability Access assessment. High Street and Stert Street were the first shopping areas to be assessed.

I could not picture all the recipients but here are a few…

The 90p shop.

Helen and Douglas House and Mostly Books.

Prices the stationer.

After that pre-event came the Launch of the Abingdon Partnership to which a lot of local businessmen were expected.

On the display board is one of the ideas the partnership have already been looking at: the improvement of the Stratton Road end of Bath Street. Unfortunately I could not stay for that event as I had a School Governor meeting to attend – so look forward to reports of how it went.

This is how far the project to lay new pavements and tidy up the streets had got to last week – just outside Ask.

This week it has gone a little further and reached Smarts. So the new pavements have moved from Ock Street, gone round The Square, and are about to move up along the High Street.

However traders up Bath Street – straight ahead on this picture – are asking why not us, since Bath Street is not part of the current project to upgrade the pavements.

Today they will be lighting the first candle of the Advent Crown in Churches round Abingdon. Yesterday I took this video of some members of Abbey Brass, conducted by Chris Macklow, performing Oh Little Town of Bethlehem. I cut it just before the last note – sorry!

While doing this I was asked by one of the ladies from The Riverside Playgroup if I knew how to get into contact with Santa Claus because they are hoping he can make an appearance on 17th December. Let Joyce know if you have any useful contacts on 01235 524833. And ask him if he has been CRB checked.

The notices say they are opening on 30th November – but they are open today as well.