High Street Signs in Abingdon

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According to Wikipedia High Street is the most common street name in the UK. It beats Station Road and Main Street by a long way.
High Street
Abingdon has a High Street. Looking today I saw three High Street signs. The first, near the Market Place, was from the days when Abingdon was a borough – before the local government reorganisation in 1974.
High Street
That end of the High Street is mostly banks and estate agencies.
High Street
The next sign, at the junction of West St Helen Street, has T over a dot. Did this look good in the days when shorthand was in vogue?
High Street
At the other end the High Street sign is black with smudgy white lettering.

The Vale of White Horse District Council has been in existence, making Abingdon’s street signs, since 1974. They have stamped their logo on signs for many other roads around Abingdon but have left the old signs on the historic High Street.
High Street
At the other end of the High Street are mostly pubs. The Grapes has a sign offering the government scheme of Eat Out to Help Out. Over the road The Narrows has a door with the sign Exit Only. It is part of their one way system to stop the spread of the virus.

Wells Stores Today

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Wells
Wells Stores has been at Peachcroft Farm for over twenty years. Before that Wells Stores was in Stert Street.

I met Jim on the way home today and he remembered the Stert Street store. He remembered the smell of all those cheeses, and the interesting groceries you didn’t see in other shops.
Wells
Now to get to Wells Store you pass hundreds of turkeys in a field on one side. There is an allotment, looked after by the grow your own vegetables community group, and a craft shop. Beyond that are the barns and farm buildings.
Wells
I walked round the fruit and vegetables in the farm shop and put some tomatoes and plums in brown paper bags.
Wells
The Wells Farm Shop cheese cooler cabinet has a selection of cheddars and other British Cheeses direct from the makers.

As you wait on the social distance markers, there are a range of interesting cakes, crackers and chutneys and homemade jams. There are also salads and quiches and pastries in the second cooler cabinet.

Jim also said that, before Stert Street, Wells Stores had been a village shop in Streatley. Wells Farm Shop has more of their interesting history.

Carriageway Resurfacing between sunset and sunrise (for 3 nights) at the double mini roundabout

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carriageway resurfacing works
There have been a flurry of comments already about the carriageway resurfacing works at the double mini roundabout from September 3rd. This is for three nights between sunset and sunrise.

A letter went out to some residents saying ‘”…traffic from the A415 Marcham Road can pass through the works into the B4017 Drayton Road during all three shifts. No other manoeuvres will be possible, and this will be controlled by a set of two-way traffic lights. Diversions will be in place for anybody wanting to access Spring Road or Ock Street.’

This explains some but not all possible journeys through this complex junction.
sunset
Here is the sunset last night – viewed from West St Helen Street,
sunrise
and here is the sunrise this morning – viewed from St Helen’s Wharf.

Museum Private View

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Museum Private View
I got an invitation to a private view at Abingdon Museum. The private view was to help test the booking system, and the museum Covid-19 secure procedures before the public arrives. I put on a face covering, and sanitised my hands. My booking details meant I could be contacted by track and trace if the need arose.
Museum Private View
A one directional route has been created round the museum so that you can see all the exhibits and stay 2 meters apart.
Museum Private View
The exhibition begins at the bun throwing and shows a selection of buns going back to Queen Victoria.
Museum Private View
The route takes you by the old cross roads sign and waterways watering can.
Museum Private View
Their are highlights like the Egyptian Vase, found in a garden off Lombard-Street and made in Egypt c 1250-60.
Museum Private View
The route then takes you to the very oldest artifacts. Normally you start with the old and move towards any new exhibits and temporary exhibition.
Museum Private View
As at any good museum the route ends at the museum shop. Purchases can be made with contactless cards. There is a perspex screen between you and the person manning the desk.

The museum reopens on September 5th. More details at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/abingdon-museum-reopening