
Soon after midnight, in the new year 2023, I walked around Abingdon town centre, where St Nicolas bells started ringing. The secret crochet had made a 2023 postbox topper. Walking back, I saw the residents of East St Helen Street going back into their houses after wishing each other a Happy New Year.
Looking forward to the new year, there will be the coronation of King Charles III and a bun throw in May. Town and vale council elections are also in May.
Davina retires after 20 years at Sue Ryder

Davina retired today after 20 years at Sue Ryder, where she was the manager of the Abingdon shop.
Last night volunteers, who have worked with Davina, returned for a party. There was a display of all the fundraising events they had done over the years, including the vintage tea party, when volunteers dressed up as land army.

Davina started as a volunteer in Bicester and then worked between Bicester and Aylesbury and then was offered the manager’s job in Abingdon. Over the 20 years, she kept to the philosophy of selling quality things. The windows are always exciting, and Davina said it is all about bringing people in and making it a welcoming environment.

Claire, who volunteers at the shop, said, ‘Davina has raised over 2 million pounds for the Sue Ryder charity and will be greatly missed by her colleagues and customers. She has been a great advocate of Abingdon.’
Davina’s final day was New Year’s Eve. The next chapter in her life involves helping with grandchildren, and she likes writing poetry and will have time to explore such interests.
Waste Collections and post-Christmas Sales

The waste collectors have had time off over Christmas, and as Christmas creates a lot of extra waste, they are working on Saturdays for three weeks to catch up.

There is also the usual range of post-Christmas Sales as seasonal stock is cleared in many shops.

The post-Christmas sales are a chance to buy Christmas Trees at 50% off.

Cards are also 50% off. (With the postal strikes and no local Scouts post, card sales are probably lower this year.)
Abingdon Town Centre Shop Changes in 2022 (16th annual review)

2022 was the year the government raised restrictions left over from the Covid-19 pandemic, but the economy was hit by the energy price fluctuations caused by the war in Ukraine and sanctions.
Press on Changes in 2022 for a bigger (pdf) map version showing the changes.
Key:
Green is a vacant shop at the start of the year and is now occupied.
Yellow means a change of business.
Red is a vacant shop occupied at the start of the year.
Change in 2007 ( 6 green, 5 yellow, 10 red ) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2008 ( 10 green, 8 yellow, 13 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2009 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Gain 3
Change in 2010 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Gain 4
Change in 2011 ( 2 green, 8 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2012 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 1
Change in 2013 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2014 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2015 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2016 ( 10 green, 5 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Gain 5
Change in 2017 ( 3 green, 6 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2018 ( 7 green, 6 yellow, 4 red ) – Net Gain 3
Change in 2019 ( 4 green, 3 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2020 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 8 red) – Net Loss 2
Change in 2021 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 8 red) – Net Loss 2
Change in 2022 ( 4 green, 2 yellow, 5 red) – Net Loss 1
Welcome to:

Gents Cut

Oxford Vapours

The Cowshed

The Shed

The Therapy Room
Goodbye to:
Added Ingredients
Andrews
Children’s Air Ambulance
Halifax
Hedges
PB Conway
Change to business in same premises
Al Mulino became Flaming Grill
(let me know of any mistakes in this annual roundup)