Captainkaos2 came across some pictures of the Abingdon King Dick motorcycle which was recently featured on this blog.
The pictures were sent by a relative in Australia. Thanks to him for sharing. The motorcycles were made at Coxeters in Abingdon before production switched to Birmingham.
2016 was a good year with more business gains than losses in Abingdon town centre .
Press on Changes in 2016 for a bigger (pdf) version of the map showing the changes.
Key:
Green is a shop that was vacant at the start of the year which is now occupied.
Yellow means a change of business.
Red is a vacant shop premises that was 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
Welcome to:
Abingdon Picture Framing
Costa (in front of the Old Gaol) – I need to add this to the map
Dorindos (restaurant)
Khushi’s Eyebrow Boutique (beauty)
Leona Noronha (natural hairdresser) – opening soon if not opened yet
Marmaris (men’s Turkish barber)
Peacocks and Edinburgh Woollen Mill (clothes)
R&R (coffee + cafe)
Simpsons(Estate Agents)
Velvet Creations (beauty)
Wildwood Kitchen (restaurant)
Goodbye to:
Cottage Imperial
Fantasia Bridal
Fine Guitars
Lucky 7s (betting)
Stan James (betting)
TechnoC – still in Suffolk way
The Olives
Move to new premises:
Superdrug – move to bigger shop
Avicenna – was Smiths before the move to an ex-pub near the Abingdon Surgery
Change to similar business in same premises:
Broad Face – re-opened after major refurbishment
Chaba Thai – expanded to also use the downstairs shop
Jhoots Pharmacy – was Lloyds Phramacy
Patisserie Pascal – new owner after previous owners retired
Smarts (fish and chips) – re-opened after major refurbishment
(let me know any mistakes in this annual roundup)
At the annual Boxing Day gathering of MGs, on Abingdon Market Place, some of the cars had their tops down.
It is a social event for the MG Car Club, and a chance to take the cars out for a spin.
Sailing boats from Abingdon Sailing Club also went out for a spin on the River Thames at Abingdon.
After a mild Christmas Day, Boxing Day was sunny, and lots of people left the house to get some fresh air in Abingdon.
From Christmas Bells
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
From In Memorium by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
Ring, happy bells, across the snow.
The year is dying in the night;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
From Noel Christmas Eve by Robert Bridges
…
Tonight I can’t help thinking of those towers (the bell towers)
And I pray unto God for their souls and the souls of the world
That stand in towers and ring their bells tonight,
Arms lifted, clutching rattling ropes that race
Into dark above the mad and romping din
That to me heard afar is starry music
From Christmas Eve at Sea by John Masefield
…
The moon goes nodding down the west,
The drowsy helmsman strikes the bell;
Rex Judaorum natus est,
I charge you, brothers, sing Nowell, Nowell,
Rex Judaorum natus est
From Minstrels a Christmas Poem
by William Wordsworth
The minstrels played their Christmas tune
To-night beneath my cottage-eaves;
While, smitten by a lofty moon,
The encircling laurels, thick with leaves,
Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen,
That overpowered their natural green.
…
And who but listened?–till was paid
Respect to every inmate’s claim,
The greeting given, the music played
In honour of each household name,
Duly pronounced with lusty call,
And “Merry Christmas” wished to all.
From ‘A Christmas Carol‘ by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Joy rises in me, like a summer’s morn:
Peace, Peace on Earth! The Prince of Peace is born!
(First posted on the Tithe Farm and Ladygrove Forum – Dec 25th 2003)
