The competitors left Tilsley park at 9 am on Sunday 19th October

About 4 miles into the race this chasing pack come through the Abbey gateway. The leader had gone through 30 seconds earlier. Number 1 in this group won 2 years ago but was disqualified because he had used a friends number. He got it right this time. He was to be third this year – but in a faster time

The course followed Saint Helens Wharf.

This is one of the runners from Abingdon’s twin town, Argentan.

The loudest cheer came from near the bottom of Saxton Road

which got the competitors smiling. After this point the competitors left Abingdon on a double circuit round Drayton, Sutton Courtney and Milton … returning to Preston Road and then out again…

Some time later….

The lead runner came back over the iron bridge. The time car showed 2 hours 18 minutes at this point and he was 3 minutes ahead of the rest of the field. I did try to get to Tilsley Park in time to see him finishing.

But as with 2 years ago I only got there in time to see the second place competitor.

The winner’s final time was 2 hours 32 minutes.

This is the first of the Abingdon Amblers finishing in 7th place with a very good time.

The leading female runner came in on 3 hours 3 minutes.

Back in town the runners were still going through for quite some time. The route was through the underpass then up Bath Street.

The Craft Festival is on from 17th – 20th and 23rd – 26th OCTOBER – 10am to 5pm – at the Medieval Abbey Buildings. There are 65 stalls in the first week, then some change over for the second.

Lime Tree Pantry with their handmade pies seem to be there every year.

John Kemp, English wines and liquers, was there from St Albans.

This fine display is of Mouse and Moon Fabric Sculptures.

That is some of the good stuff. Now for the not so good display : SOMEBODY has bumped into this wall and not stopped to tell the house owner.

The planning application for the Old Gaol development were published a week ago, and the Abingdon Herald has done a front page on it with the title: Gaol deal ‘should be renegotiated’. One of the factors on which the original decision was made was value for money. The newspaper reports that the district council will get less money for the site than when the developer was first chosen – before the credit crunch and the detailed plans, but the actual figures are not yet in the public domain.

Main points of the Old Gaol plan itself:

New vehicle access onto Bridge Street will be provided by demolishing part of the old Police Station (the picture is from the earlier model). The swimming pool building will also be demolished.

The plan sees the conversion of the Old Gaol to restaurants and apartments. It was to be restaurants and shops and apartments, but the developers have listened to local opinion, voiced back in January, and dropped the shops and added more restaurant space. There are three restaurants: one in the Old Gaol and one in each of the two buildings, pictured in front of the Old Gaol, on Bridge Street.

Other features of the plan include:

• a pedestrian walk way from East St Helen Street next to Twickenham House
• more apartments to the back
• underground parking
• public open space fronting the river
• the Bridge young peoples centre moves from cottages next to the river to part of the police station further up

You can see all the details on the Vale District Council Planning Web Site. ( www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk …. select planning applications… select view and comment on application online… then Application Search: 08/01238/LBC . )

The District Council are involved in this as vendors who chose this developer, and as the planning authority that decides the application, so that must add a complication.

Fabulous Flowers have an autumn display. Next door have moved on to do Christmas.

Still there is time to enjoy a few autumn leaves before it is too late. Here are some golden leaves, across the River Thames from The Old Anchor Inn,

and red trees from Rye Farm Car Park,

and a yellow tree between Healey Close and the River Ock.

Finally, Jeepers, Creepers! How big the creepers have grown – at the Albert Park!

This weekend is the Abingdon Craft Fair, and the Abingdon Marathon – good photo opportunities hopefully!