Waitrose


At the exit from Waitrose there is a large ball made from polished stone. It sits in a hollow and can be pushed on a film of water. Back in 1993, when the superstore was first built, this was the entrance and exit area. Our children were small then and we could play with it.

Last year Waitrose built this separate entrance, and expanded the store.

With Waitrose, one pays for the privilege of a more relaxed shop with slightly higher prices than Tesco. There are a good selection of recipe cards around the store to tempt you to try new ingredients. “Spicy Thai Noodles with Quorn, Chilli and Lemon Grass – Celebrate Thai New Year with this meat-free aromatic dish.”

Waitrose is built where the railway once ran, and the railway still shapes the area.

It is the largest shop in the Town Centre, and with its long carpark has entrances at Abbey Close and Audlett Drive. Here you get 90 minutes free parking so long as you shop. It used to be 2 hours.

Chocolate and easter bunnies are always worth a picture.

Half a Sixpence


Abingdon Operatic Society are currently performing this musical made famous by the film starring Tommy Steel. It is at the Amey Theatre, Abingdon School from today until Saturday 8th April. The sixpence is a broken token of love, one half held by the lad who goes from rags to riches, and the other half by his girl who stays poor. Will they get together again?

Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers


There was a visit today from cameramen, a soundman, and a presenter from a BBC2 culture program to film the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.

This well known Abingdonian has taken on the part of “The fool”.

Two other well known members of the Morris men are the current “Mayor” of Ock Street – the name given to their leader, and his predecessor for many years – and still dancing into his eighties.

The “Mayor” is elected by the inhabitants of Ock Street.

The final picture from beneath the County Hall, this lunchtime, shows the Mayor of Abingdon, and one of the Freemen of Abingdon – there are three Freemen.