In the last couple of days almost every house in Abingdon will have received a brown envelope which has their council tax bill and information from the council involved and police why they need the money.

Oxfordshire County Council (Conservative Party controlled) £1232.92
Thames Valley Police Authority (Not election controlled) £162.04
Vale of White Horse District Council (Lib-Dem Party Controlled) £118.82
Abingdon Parish Council (Lib-Dem Party controlled) £81.78

The tax pays for many local services including the weekly waste collection and recycle collection.

These two shops separated by half of Stert Street have taken on a very similar look. The first called “Added Ingredients” is a delicatessen and seller of continental food. The lady who runs it, currently chairs the Abingdon Chamber of Commerce.

Its neighbour further down the road called “& More Ingredients” sells pots, and pans and utensils for cooking, as well as some continental ingredients. This has been renamed and given a makeover recently to look like its namesake.

The small plaque with yellow writing and a high water line is from January 2003 and is near Abingdon Lock – perhaps better remembered for the time that Tesco had to close because the carpark was under water.

Yesterday Thames Water announced that they will introduce a hose-pipe ban from April 1st because there has not been enough rain over the last two years. They are soon to apply to have a new reservoir built near Abingdon to store excess water from the wetter winters.

Spring is stirring. There was a lot going on today. There was a grand treasure hunt with lots of children running about in the Albert Park. The Salvation Army had a Sale. This evening all the residents of East St Helens Street get together for their twice yearly bash

There was the opening of Abingdon Arts Festival at the Market Place – hence the clown. The Mayor is seen here mingling with the crowds.

Dr Pulverash is letting us know that the “Save the Radley Lakes” campaign have a Spring Fair in the Guildhall. This is to raise money for their legal costs.

George Haslam is conducting a group of Saxophone players he teaches.