As Scaffolding Rises, Access Falls – As It Falls, Visibility Rises

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The scaffolding erected at the Dangerous Building at 3 West St Helen Street does mean the building is unlikely to fall on anybody, but has unfortunately created accessibility problems. There is no pedestrian or vehicle access through the alleyway to the courtyard behind. The lack of ramps on either side of West St Helen Street, and the narrowed roadway make it difficult for mobility scooters etc. .

The recent removal of the scaffolding in front of Howden – the Insurance Broker – has improved the building’s visibility. It is now easier to see the friendly faces of the people inside, as well as two boards with local community information. I can also see Howden are celebrating Halloween and have a scheme where ‘people will be able to visit and swap a pair of football boots that no longer fit, for a pair that do.’

P.S. The following picture is the one described by Michael Harrison in the comment.

Ebb Tide of Autumn with gold and red

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The newly planted liquid amber tree on the Ock Valley Walk, dedicated to the memory of Peter Green (ex-Mayor), is turning gold.

The liquid amber trees near the War Memorial, are bushing together and creating a striking display, with their dense red foliage.

The liquid amber trees in the Market Place also add to the autumnal beauty of the town centre.

Liquid amber, a name that suggests flowing gold and red, is a slow-growing tree with maple-like leaves that turn gold and then red as summer ebbs.

Abbey Hall Reopening Delayed Due to Safety Concerns

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Abingdon Town Council has announced a delay in the reopening of the Abbey Hall following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in its roof structure during a survey.

RAAC, a cheap lightweight concrete material used in construction from the 1950s to the 1990s, has been identified as a significant safety risk due to its tendency to deteriorate over time. The material’s limited lifespan and potential for structural failure have led to widespread closures of schools and public buildings across the UK.

The Abbey Cinema closed on October 2nd for the survey and is likely to face delays as experts are brought in to assess what measures are needed to make it safe.

The Abingdon Town Council News Release at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/news/latest-update-on-the-abbey-hall says they remain committed to prioritising the safety of the public and Abbey Cinema patrons, and will ensure ‘any closure is for as short a period as is reasonably possible.’

The Abbey Cinema says, ‘we are working daily with the council to ensure that the roof problems are fixed for our reopening on 8th November for Paddington 3.’

The discovery of RAAC (and low grade asbestos) will complicate the planned refurbishment of the Abbey Hall, which was scheduled to begin in September 2025. The Council acquired the Guildhall, including the Abbey Hall, from Vale of White Horse District Council in April 2011. Thanks to TV Barrote for the drone image.

Ancient river systems predate A34 at Lodge Hill

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Archaeologists, working on the site of the soon to be updated A34 interchange at Lodge Hill, near Abingdon, have unearthed evidence of an ancient river system dating back half a million years.

Experts from Oxford Archaeology, commissioned by Balfour Beatty, dug trial trenches and test pits to explore the area’s deep past before work on the A34 interchange begins. Discoveries include river sediment from an ancient river system and flint tools that suggest early human presence.

(Thanks to the Oxfordshire County Council news release: https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/early-hominin-evidence-uncovered-at-site-of-a34-lodge-hill-interchange/. Also thanks to Chat GPT API which generated the image when I gave it the story.)