There was another well attended public meeting to look at the plans for the County Hall / Museum development as they will now be presented to the National Lottery.

Planning permission has been granted. A decision will be made by the National Lottery in March 2010 as to whether they will release the remaining money, from the £2m grant, to let the scheme go ahead. If it does go ahead then work is likely to start in September 2010.

Much of the plans to improve the building are essentially unchanged: such as essential maintenance ( something that English Heritage have not funds for because of government cuts to their budget over a long time), and improving the main museums spaces to bring them up to scratch and fit them for the next 50 year .

But the question of The Lift remains a controversial topic.

Dr Andrew Brown from English Heritage and Adrian Kitt the architect from Ridge partners hold here the new plan for the Abingdon museum lift. Unfortunately the plan for a lift to the session hall (first floor) were turned down by The English Heritage Central Committee a couple of months ago. They thought it was too intrusive on the look of such a nationally important building. A lot of people in the hall were unhappy at that decision, including a lady in a wheelchair.

But there is a Plan B Lift.

With this lift there is not much to show above ground – apart from a fence to protect the roof. It is a platform lift to the basement and undercroft.

As part of the modified plan disabled facilities will be provided in other more imaginative ways. The original lift was estimated at about £xy0,000 and the new lift is expected to be much lower – depending on the tender exercise.

But once a lift shaft is sunk, it could be adapted by a future generation.

Robert Southey, the chief coach of Abingdon Town Amateur Boxing Club, was at Blenheim Palace recently for a special awards ceremony for people who have served young people for a long time. He started helping at the boxing club as a teenager…

which is how he came by this Planitum award for 40 years of voluntary service for young people and still going strong. His biggest campaign at the moment is to raise money for a gym in South Abingdon.

(On 12th December the Boxing Club has a sponsored darts marathon from 12 noon to 12 midnight to raise money towards the new gym. There will also be a Santas Grotto in the afternoon at the Crown and Thistle. )

This Stone Building, next to Albert Park, now has an explanatory green plaque…

Are there any other buildings in Abingdon that need a green plaque to explain what they are?

Thanks to Tim for these pictures. The people shown are all members of the Tithe Farm and Ladygrove Residents Association – headed by Eleanor Dangerfield who was also present but out of the picture

The trolley depicted was retrieved from the Ock and then loaded with the detritus that had gathered in the surrounding area.

Here is another view of the same trolley so there is no mistaking it. Litter Picking is an old tradition in those parts, as is the residents newsletter which is NOW ONLINE .