
There were Black Friday sales in some shops in Abingdon today, particularly the clothes shops. The town felt busier than usual at Friday lunchtime. However more people probably took part in the online sales. That will mean more trucks bringing goods to people in the days ahead.

Saturday sees the Christmas Extravaganza, a real chance to buy locally. The parade is at 12:00. Lights get switched on at 5:30. There is lots more going on, including a Fairtrade and Craft Fair at St Ethlewolds.
New quarry proposal – 40% of traffic through Abingdon town centre

Thanks to Gordon for this. There was a public exhibition yesterday at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club for a proposed sand and gravel quarry on farmland between the River Thames and the A415.
The entrance would be opposite the Culham Science Park.
A larger scheme for the same site was opposed by residents, and opposed by English Heritage who did not want the bronze age cemetery at Fullamoor Farm to be destroyed. And so the proposed quarry area has been reduced in size, and traffic across the Culham and Clifton Hampden bridges removed.
Gordon says “The transport page is interesting – ‘level of additional traffic insignificant’, ‘no perceptible increase in queueing or delay’. The map seems to indicate the route to the A34 through Abingdon town centre”
“It was stated that 40% of the traffic would go through Abingdon throughout each working day, amounting to 4 trucks every working hour.”
He just wanted to bring this to people’s attention. A planning application will be going to Oxfordshire County Council early in 2016. The consultation can be found at fullamoorquarry.co.uk
Two years later the shop front is bricked up

Lansbrough Estate moved from West St Helen Street to Ock Street, and Natural Health moved to Coxeter House. The vacated building was reconfigured: upstairs was converted to accommodation, and a new shop front was added.

Two years later the shop front has been bricked up, and two smaller windows fitted.
Dog and Puppy

Thanks to Ray for sending this picture from last Friday . Ray said “I took this around lunchtime today in the precinct. It was fascinating watching the guy doing his sculpture. He was just starting the puppy on top.“