Abingdon Family Centre has a new building off Caldecott Road, on land previously owned by Caldecott School. Next door, is the housing development in Blacknall Road.

The previous Family Centre was run by NCH (National Childrens Homes), and was found next to Saxton Road Community Centre. But those buildings were no longer safe and have been torn down. The empty land will be turned to housing.

PACT took over running the family centre from the NCH. PACT (Parents and Children Together) is a professional agency working on behalf of the (Anglican) Diocese of Oxford in the area of family life.

Many activities are available at the Family Centre from baby sitting courses for sibling carers, healthy living advice through to messy play sessions.

For a long time this shop on the corner of West St Helen Street and High Street was Hadleighs China shop. It has been closed for maybe six months, and now is being refitted as ACUPUNCTURE & HERBS – CHINESE MEDICAL & SKIN CENTRE.

And the owners are very forthright about what they can treat. None of your English reserve. It includes – in bold – male conditions… and womens problems….

If you are looking for a vet in Abingdon, there is either the Abivale Animal Hospital in the Vineyard,

or Frasers in Caldecott Road. Or you could use a smaller village vet like the one in Steventon.

Nothing ever seems cheap at the vets: pet food, tablets… surgery (surgery especially so). After all vets’ bills are not covered by national insurance.

This panel showing various images from Abingdon’s past was unveiled in the Guildhall. It will be displayed at a number of locations in the coming weeks as a travelling exhibition for the 450th Anniversary.