Possible new future for Old Abbey House – Thinking Caps On!

8 Replies

The Vale of White Horse District Council have announced they are looking for a possible new future for Old Abbey House. They no longer need Old Abbey House and are looking for a new owner. It could be sold for housing, but they are also in discussions with the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society about community use.

Before closure, the larger part of the building was used by Abingdon Town Council, and the smaller part by Citizens Advice Abingdon.
Old Abbey House
The entrance foyer of the part used by Abingdon Town Council was home to the Abingdon Information Centre.
Old Abbey House
To the left of that was the council committee room.
Old Abbey House
Next to that was a wide wooden staircase, with a stained glass window, leading to four or five offices.
Old Abbey House
Behind the information centre, to the left, was the Mayor’s Parlour with an attractive bow window. The Mayor for 2013-14, Sam Bowring, can be seen entertaining some English Civil War reenactors.

To the right of the information desk were open plan offices, and the muniments room – holding old town documents.

The old citizens advice area had a separate entrance and was also divided into smaller rooms. From the outside that half of the building can be seen to need roof repairs.

Old Abbey House is not a listed building, but is in the heart of Abingdon. Its old garden, the Abbey Gardens, should remain for public use whatever happens. Everybody would be delighted if a viable community scheme comes forward for the building. If we all put our thinking caps on maybe we could come up with something.

Mark’s Wildflower Meadow at St Ethelwolds House

2 Replies

Mark's Wildflower Meadow
St Ethelwolds’ House and garden, in East St Helen Street, is a place of sanctuary and quiet, and the wildflower meadow, at the far end, was sown in memory of Mark Wood (1969 – 2013), a passionate lover of nature.
Mark's Wildflower Meadow
The mill stream, cut by monks of Abingdon Abbey, flows just beyond the wildflower garden and soon rejoins the River Thames. St Ethelwold was the Abbot from 954-963, and reformed Abingdon Abbey as a Benedictine order, before becoming Archbishop of Winchester.

I did see PPJS’s comment on yesterday’s post about celebrating St Ethelwold’s feast day at the start of August and, rather than party, have videoed a few quiet moments at Mark’s Wildflower Meadow …

St Helen’s Bells ring again as church reopens

1 Reply

St Helen’s Church reopened last Sunday for the first service since the lockdown. So today was the second service.
St Helen's Bells
There was social distancing in the bell tower, with 5 bell ringers wearing face masks, and only using five bells. The other bell ringers watched from outside because there was not room inside.

The church opening was organised with covid-19 safe rules in accordance with government and Church of England requirements. There was a separate entrance and exit. Hand sanitiser was used on the way in and out. People sat 2 meters apart. There were 25 people in the congregation (that number could increase in weeks to come). People had pre-booked and left their contact details for track and trace. People were expected to wear face coverings unless there were good reasons not to. Doors were kept open so that there was fresh air blowing in. People could only socialise outside the church. There was organ music but as yet no singing under government Covid-19 church regulations. The service was shorter than usual.

Here is a short video of the five bells heard from the churchyard. Organ music through the open door can also be heard from the churchyard at the end of the service.

Sunshine, inflatables and big boats on the River Thames

1 Reply

Lots of Boats
We are at the height of the summer holidays. Thursday was hot. Friday was hotter. Today, Saturday, was milder but there was sunshine.

Somebody told me the Aldi had a special offer on inflatables. On the River Thames in Abingdon people are paddling about in inflatable canoes and on paddle boards, more than ever.
Lots of Boats
There are lots of larger boats moored in the meadows above and below Abingdon Bridge this evening.

Some are moored closer to the bridge than the notices allow. Others cannot find a place.
Lots of Boats
The new owners of the Nags Head have spaced tables further apart this year, and cater for the boaters as well as town people.