Renowned Comedian and Author Matt Lucas at Abingdon Book Signing Event

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Thank you to B for this report.

While walking along Stert Street on Monday Evening after picking up my prescription, I saw a queue outside Mostly Books.

The reason for the queue became obvious as I passed the window. Renowned comedian and actor Matt Lucas was inside, signing copies of his first children’s novel, “The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas.”

Matt has written children’s books before now, but not a novel. He wrote ‘My Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Silly Book of Jokes’ and ‘My Very … Silly Book of Pranks’ and ‘My Very … Silly Book of Games’ and ‘My Very … Silly Book of True and False’. It begins with ‘A group a Zebras is called a crossing. TRUE OR FALSE?’ The answer is in the book.

Upcoming events

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The annual Abingdon Baptist Church Christmas Fayre features a variety of stalls selling handmade crafts, food, and gifts. There will also be free drinks at 35 Ock Street.

At St Nicolas Church, on Friday 17 & Saturday 18 November, there is exhibition showcasing the work of local artists and craftspeople. There will be a variety of items for sale, including paintings, pottery, jewellery, and glassware.

Then the following Friday 24th, at the Abbey Buildings, there will be exhibitions and discussions around the subject of Climate Justice.

10am – 1pm: Climate Fresk workshop More info

11am – 3pm: Grand Opening of “Fashion Footprint : Stories from the wardrobe – an Exhibition“.

Thames Water Exhibition focuses on New Reservoir Plans

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Thames Water held two community exhibitions, one on November 10th at East Hanney War Memorial Hall and the other on November 15th at Steventon Milton Hill House, to present their plans for a new reservoir near Abingdon. These events followed the release of Thames Water’s revised draft Water Resources Management Plan in August.

The proposed reservoir was the exhibition’s primary focus. There was no mention of alternative options such as the River Severn transfer scheme, which was promoted on banners displayed around the proposed site by the Group for Action on Reservoir Development (GARD).

The proposed reservoir would have a capacity of 150 million cubic meters, an option that Thames Water had considered alongside a 100 million cubic meter capacity earlier this year. Gard have said ‘Thames Water have ignored criticisms of their draft plans and ‘doubled down’ to select an even bigger Reservoir for Abingdon‘. Thames Water say it will offer better value for money and will provide enough water to supply the Southern Water area of Hampshire.  The reservoir would take land currently used as farmland and a couple of large solar farms. A copy of the handout brochure can be found at https://camargue-thames-water-wrmp.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/sro/SESRO+Brochure+FINAL.pdf.

Representatives from Thames Water were present to answer questions. One representative indicated that the reservoir plans are being developed with the assumption that the project will proceed, but that it will still need to undergo public consultation and secure development consent in approximately 2026.

Progress on the New Development off Twelve Acre Drive

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The new development off Twelve Acre Drive in North Abingdon, near Peachcroft Farm, is progressing steadily. Some of the houses are now foundations with several layers of bricks, and the view from the entrance and visitor centre will change significantly in the near future.

The public right of way has been diverted as part of the development. It now follows fences around the perimeter of the development.

They reconnected with the original path up the higher field that is being left as farmland.

This picture shows the view of the earth movers and the existing houses of Mattock Way beyond from the bridleway along the top of the ridge, another view that will also change in the near future.