Announcing Anniversary Films + Clubs and Societies Day

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Guildhall
The Abbey Cinema will be celebrating some film anniversaries, alongside the usual film programme.

Alien’s 40th Anniversary is on Friday 22nd March.
Guildhall
The Great Escape’s 75th Anniversary is on Sunday 24th March.

Monty Python’s Life of Brian’s 40th Anniversary is on Thursday 18th April .

Saturday 16th March 2019 will see the return to the Guldhall of the Abingdon’s Clubs’ & Societies’ Day. This is where many of our clubs and societies have a display of what they do. It is a very good way to find what is happening in Abingdon – like a Freshers’ Fair.
Guildhall
The last Clubs’ & Societies’ Day was in 2016 in the Abbey Buildings.
Guildhall
Before that it was in the Guildhall every two years since Cllr Janet Morgan instituted the event when she was Mayor in 1989.

The event will be in the refurbished rooms in the old part of the Guildhall. The new management team, which operates both the Guildhall and the Abbey Cinema, will be on hand to welcome visitors, show them the new facilities and answer enquiries.

Bookings are now live for residents who wish to book events at the Guildhall and there is a new website at www.guildhall.ac and enquiry line 01235 524085.

Citizens Advice Bureau with Pigeons

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Citizens Advice Bureau with Pigeons
‘We are on camera now.’

‘Cooo, So we are, Peggy… Welcome to Citizens Advice Bureau. What advice have we got for the citizens today, Peggy?’

‘I would advise them to keep bringing the grains, seeds, bread, and popcorn.’

‘Cooo, Very good advice, Peggy. And what have you seen this morning in town.’

‘It was very windy and I did see the People’s Vote tent nearly blown away.’

‘Cooo, That will be the Brexit Storm, no doubt, Peggy.’
Citizens Advice Bureau with Pigeons
‘I also flew down to check out Pablo Lounge. Too windy for anybody eating outside but there were pink balloons.’

‘Was it a party, Peggy?’

‘Yes Pablo Lounge is one year old today.’

‘Cooo, Happy Birthday Pablo Lounge! …Anything else?’

‘Well I did think of a riddle today.’

‘Cooo, lets have it, Peggy.’

‘Where do you find two Winters, no Spring, no Summer, and no Autumn?’

‘Sounds a cold sort of place Peggy. Is it in Abingdon?’

‘Fifteen seconds as a pigeon flies. Near Ask.’

‘Cooo! Thats a hard one. Shall we open it up to the citizens. Ask their advice, Peggy?’

‘Yes. Time to go! Bun Thrown at 45 degrees!’

Mill Stream partially cleared. More work and help needed

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Mill Stream partially cleared
The Mill Stream, running near the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon, had become overgrown with fallen trees, and willows, and silted up. It had not been cleared for a long time. Anglers in particular are effected and are worried that the Mill Stream, dug by the monks in the days of Abingdon Abbey, might soon be no more.

I am told that The Environment Agency (E.A.) had some budget two years ago to clear the Mill Stream, and started work, but then stopped because of some unknown objection. Now that money could have been reallocated.
Mill Stream partially cleared
Paul Gustafson has been campaigning on this issue for some years, and was dismayed when this very important work was stopped by the EA. He also spoke to the Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC), who have financed some clearance work – which was carried out last week by a contractor.
Mill Stream partially cleared
He is full of praise for VWHDC and the contractors for their efforts, but says “More work is needed to stop us loosing this stream.”
Mill Stream partially cleared
He explained the problems:
* The top end, where water enters from the Thames, is still overgrown with willows and reed beds which stop the flow of water into the Mill Stream.
* The Mill Stream is so silted up that it is no longer a good spawning ground for fish. Fish need a gravel bed.
* Blockages to flow increase the potential for flooding.
Mill Stream partially cleared
* The Mill Stream is also blocked where it flows under the Upper Reaches.

He has spoken to the Environment Agency (EA) but at the moment their spokesperson has said that navigable waterways are their priority. Paul argues that all anglers pay the EA (£27.50) for a rod license and that money should be put back into angling, and sees little evidence of that in Abingdon.

So some clearance work has happened but the project is far from over. There needs to be a proper maintenance programme for the Mill Stream. This will involve Riparian (Riverside) landowners and the EA to make sure it happens.

Toilet block at Abbey Meadow re-opened

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Toilet block at Abbey Meadow
The revamped toilet block at Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow re-opened yesterday, 6th March. The Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) has funded this refurbishment, which follows on from the re-opening of the rebuilt open air pool in 2018, and the redesigned play area in 2017.

The block has been completely refurbished and includes five self-contained unisex toilets and a men’s urinals. The Abingdon Lions have added a defibrillator.
Toilet block at Abbey Meadow
The block also includes a ‘Space to Change’ facility, which includes a wheelchair accessible toilet and a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and hoist. The ‘Space to Change’ was not in the original design but after a large petition by parents and the intervention of the local MP and others it was added to the design.

Cllr Alice Badcock, Vale of White Horse District Council cabinet member for community services, said: Abbey Meadow is the most-visited park in the district and now with all the changes we have made to make it more accessible, it can be enjoyed by everyone for years to come.

Cllr Helen Pighills, Vale of White Horse district council ward member, said: These improvements are great news. The inclusion of a ‘Space to Change’ toilet is so important for ensuring more families and children with disabilities can make use of Abbey Meadow.

Thankyou to VWHDC for the press release and quotes. The work was done by Oxford Direct Services – the commercial arm of Oxford City Council. The splash pad and outdoor swimming pool at Abbey Meadow will be open for the summer from 25th May.