More Memories from the Old Gaol

This is a photo of the staff who worked in the Old Gaol at the time the old Leisure Centre opened in 1975. It was given to us by Betty Roberts, one of the receptionists. She is the middle one in the second row.

Jazz at Nag's Head

Anyone around Abingdon tomorrow afternoon Bank Holiday Monday 28 May might want to go along to Nag's Head Island for an hour of jazz in the open air from 4pm on. It's on the very pleasant grassed area just beyond the boatyard, and the access is by foot through the gate from Abingdon Bridge to the boatyard. The concert is in support of COG (Community in the Old Gaol), a voluntary group that is campaigning for community facilities to be available in thre building. We will be there from COG to collect signatures for our petition to have some voice in the development. Bids have been received by the Vale Couincil from developers but so far we don't from whom or for what.

There is a great view of the Old Gaol and the river from the island.

The jazz trio is Chris Brown - guitar, Aidan Thorne - bass, Darren Hasson-Davis - drums.

Hope to see you there - fingers crossed for reasonable weather!

Old Gaol Memories at Abingdon Leisure Centre

If you visit Abingdon Leisure Centre look out for the Old Gaol Memories board just inside the entrance. Please do read the interesting memories that people have left about the Old Gaol, and feel free to write any memories of your own on the paper slips. Looking at the board is Arthur, whose own memory was that "...the Old Gaol was a great place to have a party on a Saturday!"

Alternatively you could send us your memories by email to oldgaol@btinternet.com or contact our website www.oldgaol.org.uk. OR, you could send them as a comment to this blog. Just click the Comments button and follow the instructions then press Publish. You do not need a Google account unless you select that option.

Mayor Visits COG at Air Show

MAYOR SUPPORTS OLD GAOL

Visiting the Air Show on Sunday, Town Mayor, Peter Green, put pen to paper in support of Abingdon pressure group, Community in the Old Gaol (GOG). Glynne Butt, COG chairman, is with him. COG is pressing the Vale of White Horse District Council, to include increased public access and facilities for the local community in its redevelopment plans for the site.

COG at Air and County Show, Abingdon

COG had a stall at this show on Sunday, and we were delighted at the amount of support we found for COG and its aims. People from quite a wide area around Abingdon were interested and many signed our petition. Our picture shows Mr and Mrs Wright of Upper Heyford signing the petition, with Glynne Butt from COG. Also shown is a group who signed the petion and are enjoying breakfast in rather chilly conditions. More later........

COG is gaining momentum

I was out and about in Abingdon market on Monday and it was very encouraging to find that a lot of people already knew about COG abd the situation of the Old Gaol. Well done to all those who signed our petition - it will help us a lot in achieving credibility so that we may be listened to when developers make there proposals. I do hope that the Vale does NOT sell the freehold. I have to say that it's far from clear to me that there is any incentive to do so other than prevention of "nuiance" to the Vale Council.

One thing I'm still worried about ids that although this blog is getting a lot of hits, there are very few comments left on it. I wonder if people are being put of by the fromat of the Comments box (whic I can't do anything about). You don't need to sign up for a Google acoount if you click one of the other two option. Anyway I'll keep hoping!

Problem with comments

Sorry if it's been difficult to post comment on this blog. I hope there is now a comment box below this and would be grateful if you could post a comment so I can see if it's now OK.