Abingdon Abbey Grounds – The 3 Scenarios – progress to date

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The Abingdon Area Committee of the VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District Council) meet on Mon 24th Nov 2014 to consider the results of the consultation into the Abbey Grounds.
Abingdon Abbey Grounds
The consultation considered previous studies that had some bearing on the Abbey Grounds, but really involved 30 Abingdon Community groups at a meeting on 4th November, and 60 pupils from Larkmead and Fitzharris Schools at another date. These consultees ranked how Abbey Meadow facilities are valued by the community:
Abingdon Abbey Grounds
The consultees also considered what could be added to improve the area with ideas such as: circular walks with better surfaces, adventure playground, picnic area, outdoor gym, bandstand …

3 scenarios have now been put together to improve the area using £500K set aside for that purpose by the VWHDC. The 3 scenarios will be first discussed at the Abingdon area committee, and then the VWHDC cabinet. Then the three scenarios will be put forward for people to vote upon during Jan – Feb 2015.
Abingdon Abbey Grounds
In one of the scenarios (focus on structured sport and recreation) the open air pool is opened out to the splash area and has a cafe added; in another scenario (focus on tourism and leisure) the open air pool is removed and replaced with a cafe; and in the third scenario (focus on informal use of green space) the pool is not mentioned but there are better walks.

Peter Harbour from Friends of the Outdoor Pool would love to hear from people about what the pool means to you. There is a comments area on the friends website so that would be a good place to write. He would like the pool to continue whatever else is done.
Abingdon Abbey Grounds
Other facilties are even more in danger because of their low usage and lack of investment. They include the tennis courts …
Abingdon Abbey Grounds
crazy golf, and pitch and put, especially as the VWHDC have to pay somebody to operate a second kiosk to keep them going.

Terry Wogan and Local Excellence Market in Town

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Sir Terry Wogan was in town to sign his latest book. Not suprisingly there were lots of people about.
Terry Wogan
As noon approached a long queue formed outside the Bookstore.
Terry Wogan
to get signed copies of the book “A Little bit of common sense”.
local excellence Market
There was a local excellence Market in town today.
local excellence Market
As part of the Local Excellence Market. Abingdon Hydro were out telling people about the Share Offer. Abingdon Hydro is a not for profit company set up by local residents, to generate hydroelectric power from the River Thames by Abingdon Weir.
local excellence Market
Sir Terry Wogan kindly held a copy of the Abingdon Hydro poster I had to hand. The share sale is about a third of the way to the target, having raised £425,000.

Come rain or shine ’til 2022

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Come rain or shine til 2022
On the Abingdon town portal the Abingdon Farmer’s Market is scheduled on the Third Friday of every month 8:30am-1:30pm until 17 Jun 2022 – come rain or shine.

Come rain or shine til 2022
Today was one of the rainy days, but there were lots of stalls nevertheless. The watercress man said the predicted rain was for after 1pm, but it had been splattering down since 8am.
Come rain or shine til 2022
I read in the local newspapers recently that the Farmer’s Market had been nominated for a national award.

The Wrong Goodbye – Premier

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The Wrong Goodbye - Premier
At the Unicorn Theatre this week from Wednesday 19th – Saturday 22nd November there is a new play by an Abingdon author, Stephen Rees, called The Wrong Goodbye.
The Wrong Goodbye - Premier
It is the story of a man suffering early onset dementia, with his brother giving up his job to try to care for him. The play is put on by the Abingdon Drama Club.

When I see the headlines on the perspex newspaper stands nowadays, I am struck by how often there is a front page headline about a new cure or way to prevent Alzheimers. Alzheimers is the scariest condition facing people in later life. It can mean the loss of independence, dignity and a devastating impact on loved ones.