Well summer's nearly gone! Our picture is a nostalgic reminder of July when COG presented its 4500-signature petition (now over 5000) to the Vale Council with the help of pupils from Thomas Reade School. COG has been very active in pursuing its aims (opposing the sale of the freehold of the Old Gaol, ensuring restored free public access to the river-side, and getting some community facilities into the building).
Thanks to all who supported COG events at the Abingdon Fun Day, especially knocking down the tins!
Our next planned event is on Saturday October 20th in Abingdon Market Place. We haven't got the details yet but we hope to do something big! Watch this space for more details soon. It's no coincidence that the following Monday 22 October is the day when the Vale plans, as I understand them, are to make known the "winner" or final short-list of developers. COG hopes to be involved closely in subsequent stages of the development. Readers of the Abingdon Herald will have seen a number of letters from COG members in the past few weeks. Below is reproduced the most recent one for those who have not seen it yet.
"Sir,
Reading the recent articles and letters about Abingdon town centre and its businesses, one could become quite depressed. Jennifer Corrigan asks if the Vale has a plan for the rejuvenation of the vibrancy and vitality of the town. How lucky for this District Council that there is a large, stunning, historic, beautiful riverside building right in the town centre that is empty, waiting to be redeveloped, and it belongs to them! How many other councils would love to have a building such as the Old Gaol at their disposal? This building and its surrounding area provides a rare opportunity to bring people into the town and to boost businesses and tourism. If it is transformed into the like of shops, craft rooms, restaurants, exhibition space, a venue and facilities people can use it could be just the thing to revitalise the town. But, as Glynn Butt pointed out in her letter, a housing developer may well offer more money. Has the Vale got the courage to invest in the long term prosperity of our beautiful town or will it opt for short term gain?
As a member of COG (Community in the Old Gaol) I have been working on the possibilities for the Old Gaol for years but I have absolutely no idea who or what the Council are considering. I am concerned by the secrecy surrounding the sale of the Old Gaol. Has the District Council got something to hide? I can only hope that they are looking at the bigger picture – a vision which members of COG can see so clearly.
Yours
Alison Mummery
Member
Community in the Old Gaol"
Thanks to all who supported COG events at the Abingdon Fun Day, especially knocking down the tins!
Our next planned event is on Saturday October 20th in Abingdon Market Place. We haven't got the details yet but we hope to do something big! Watch this space for more details soon. It's no coincidence that the following Monday 22 October is the day when the Vale plans, as I understand them, are to make known the "winner" or final short-list of developers. COG hopes to be involved closely in subsequent stages of the development. Readers of the Abingdon Herald will have seen a number of letters from COG members in the past few weeks. Below is reproduced the most recent one for those who have not seen it yet.
"Sir,
Reading the recent articles and letters about Abingdon town centre and its businesses, one could become quite depressed. Jennifer Corrigan asks if the Vale has a plan for the rejuvenation of the vibrancy and vitality of the town. How lucky for this District Council that there is a large, stunning, historic, beautiful riverside building right in the town centre that is empty, waiting to be redeveloped, and it belongs to them! How many other councils would love to have a building such as the Old Gaol at their disposal? This building and its surrounding area provides a rare opportunity to bring people into the town and to boost businesses and tourism. If it is transformed into the like of shops, craft rooms, restaurants, exhibition space, a venue and facilities people can use it could be just the thing to revitalise the town. But, as Glynn Butt pointed out in her letter, a housing developer may well offer more money. Has the Vale got the courage to invest in the long term prosperity of our beautiful town or will it opt for short term gain?
As a member of COG (Community in the Old Gaol) I have been working on the possibilities for the Old Gaol for years but I have absolutely no idea who or what the Council are considering. I am concerned by the secrecy surrounding the sale of the Old Gaol. Has the District Council got something to hide? I can only hope that they are looking at the bigger picture – a vision which members of COG can see so clearly.
Yours
Alison Mummery
Member
Community in the Old Gaol"
