Notice of Postponed Election
1. Further to the recent Notice of Vacancy published for the Town Council, a valid request by ten local government electors to fill this casual vacancy via a by-election has been received by the Returning Officer.
2. In response to the Covid-19 emergency, the UK government has passed The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and the Coronavirus Act 2020, which postpones all polls up to 6 May 2021.
3. A poll will not take place until 6 May 2021 and the vacancy will be held open until then. However, this date may be brought forward or deferred by the Government depending upon the circumstances.
4. A revised Notice of Election detailing the election timetable will be published by the Returning Officer once a date for the poll to take place has been fixed.
Proof of Life – Foreign Pension Checking Service during the Coronavirus Outbreak.
Due to the current closure to the public of Abingdon Town Council offices at Roysse Court, the Town Clerk will not currently be able to notarise overseas pension forms until further notice. We advise those requiring this service to speak with a solicitor.
Have your say on the future plans for Vale of White Horse
Please see the below from The Vale of White Horse District Council
Released 16 July 2020
What do you think the council should focus on next? Working with other organisations to help local businesses get back on their feet after lockdown? Helping people live healthier lives? Tackling the climate emergency? Or all three and more?
Vale of White Horse district councillors have put together a plan for the future of the district and they want you to let them know what you think of it.
The survey – launched today – is a chance to have your say on the priorities for the council in the next few years. The survey will run until Thursday 13 August.
Your responses will help councillors finalise their plan, for the district and all those who live and work in it – now and in the years to come.
Councillors have identified six areas they need to focus on:
- Theme 1: Providing the homes people need
- Theme 2: Tackling the climate emergency
- Theme 3: Building healthy communities
- Theme 4: Building stable council finances
- Theme 5: Working in partnership with other organisations
- Theme 6: Working in an open and inclusive way
Cllr Debby Hallett, Cabinet Member for corporate services said: “Our own financial situation and the COVID-19 crisis have presented us – like many in the district – with lots of challenges, but also opportunities to make changes. Our plan is to work in a more open and inclusive way and to include those groups which have historically been marginalised.”
Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “It is absolutely vital that we put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of our new Corporate Plan. But part of that focus is also helping build healthier communities and providing low carbon, genuinely affordable new homes.
“What matters to our residents matters to us, so please tell us what you think.”
Bob Frampton prize competition
Abingdon Museum are running the Bob Frampton prize competition again this year.
Please see all the details below to get involved.
Abingdon-on-Thames in 100 words
We all have a story to tell about our town, and Abingdon Civic Society and Mostly Books want to hear yours!
To mark National Civic Day on 20 June 2020 and to bring a little diversion to life in lockdown, Abingdon Civic Society and Mostly Books are launching a micro-fiction writing competition: Abingdon-on-Thames in 100 words.
The Challenge
- Write a very short story – no more than 100 words, true or fictional – about your town of Abingdon.
- Submit it by 31 July 2020 either by email to: 100words@abingdoncivicsociety.org.uk or by post to: Abingdon in 100 Words, C/O Mostly Books, 36 Stert Street, Abingdon Oxon, OX14 3JP
- There are two age categories: 16 and under and 17+. Please state your name/age on your entry and give a contact email, address or phone no. (These details will only be used for the purposes of this competition and will not be shared with anyone other than the organisers.) Please also indicate permission for publication (see below).
Inspiration – where to start…
Is there a particular place that holds a special memory for you – or conjures up something in your imagination? Is there an event that left its mark on you? Has lockdown led you to rediscover the town and its communities – have you discovered new footpaths, seen the town from a new perspective or experienced it differently as a result of social distancing? Perhaps you’ve created a whole new Abingdon in your imagination, or perhaps you’ve a story about a future Abingdon.
Outcomes
- Winners will be announced on 28 August 2020.
- Winning entries will be published on the Abingdon Civic Society website and in the Community Freespace.
- There will be a first prize and runners-up prizes for each age group.
- The entries will form a collective story of Abingdon-on-Thames and may be curated for exhibition at the Abingdon Museum, the Community Freespace or the Library.
There is more information about the competition on the Abingdon Civic Society website https://abingdoncivicsociety.org.uk/activities/100-words/
Virtual Events
What’s streaming in Abingdon:
Lockdown can feel like a lonely time with many activities and hobbies now on hold, but please find below some of the activities that you can get involved with virtually! If you know of any Virtual activities not mentioned below please email louise.brown@abingdon.gov.uk for them to be added below:
MUSIC
- Virtual Concerts:
Local lad Jack Lester has decided to perform concerts online after his gigs were cancelled because of coronavirus. Keep an eye on his Facebook page for details of his upcoming virtual concerts:
https://www.facebook.com/jacklestermusic/
- Abingdon Concert Band:
Even a national lockdown doesn’t stop ACB from making music! We have all continued finding joy in music in these difficult times, so we wanted to share this with you.
http://www.abingdonconcertband.org.uk/2020/04/20/acb-goes-virtual/
CRAFTS
- Abingdon Artists:
Abingdon Artists have put together some virtual resources: https://www.abingdonartists.org.uk/AboutUs/OtherActivities.aspx
CHURCH SERVICES
- For information and resources on worshiping at home during lockdown and for any virtual church services please see the individual websites below:
Our Ladys and St Edmunds: https://www.ourladyandstedmund.org.uk/live-services
Trinity Church: https://trinityabingdon.org.uk/wordpress/
St Helens Church: https://sthelensbaptist.co.uk/
All Saints Methodist Church: http://www.allsaintsabingdon.org.uk/
Abingdon Baptist Church: https://www.abingdonbaptist.org.uk/
Christ Church: https://cca.uk.net/
St Nicholas Church: http://www.stnicolasabingdon.org.uk/
Peachcroft Christian Centre http://peachcroftcc.org/
Abbey Baptist Church www.abbey-baptist-church.org.uk/
The Abbey Baptist Church is also hosting the Big Abingdon Quiz on Friday 26th at 8pm – for more Info please see here: https://www.abbey-baptist-church.org.uk/events/2020/6/26/the-big-abingdon-quiz
VIRTUAL MEETINGS
- Weds 16th September, 7.30pm (Zoom open 7.15)
Please email carbon.cutters@gmail.com for the link.
Abingdon Carbon Cutters online meeting: “Cosy Homes Oxfordshire.”
A speaker from this service will tell us all about how to make your home cosier and healthier, cut CO2 and reduce your energy bills.
Cosy Homes Oxfordshire is a one-stop retrofit service developed by Low Carbon Hub, National Energy Foundation, and RetrofitWorks
Come & see how it works, and ask your questions!
Did you know that 25% of all UK carbon emissions come from housing? - The Studio theatre Club
Now that the Studio Theatre Club isn’t able to stage plays at the Unicorn Theatre, the members have been recording little snippets of Shakespeare for their audiences – and posting them to their website –
https://www.studiotheatreclub.com/shakespeare-in-lockdown
- 24 HOUR SUBMA-STREAM-A-THON!
Since lockdown began Yellow Submarine Charity have been sending daily activities for members and their families to do at home, including over 70 live streams across social media! This coming Tuesday (30th June) will be their 100th day of remote working, and to mark the occasion they will be having a fundraising event!
Jack will be hosting a live stream for TWENTY FOUR HOURS! The stream will have different activities and games for members to join in with, special guests, and hopefully a few surprises along the way! The stream will be made through ZOOM, so some parts of the stream members can be a part of, including a quiz, and a disco, as well as art activities (one of which will be for Cowley Road Carnival) a talent show, and more! They will also be spotlighting other organisations and the incredible work they have been doing through lockdown!
They have set quite a big target of £1000, £10 for each day of lockdown activities! But as well as a fundraiser, this is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience and bravery of all of their members during this challenging time, they have done INCREDIBLY!
It will start at 5pm on June 29th on www.facebook.com/ysubcharity www.youtube.com/ysubcharity and www.twitch.tv/ysubcharity
If you feel you are able to, Please donate below:
- Unfortunately, Against Breast Cancer are unable to host their annual Splash of Pink Event in Abingdon Town centre this year. However, we are very excited to announce that over the weekend of the 18th & 19th July, Splash of Pink will be going virtual! The weekend is perfect for every member of the family, with the Sunday filled with entertainment for children. From live music, fitness sessions, cooking, arts & crafts, Disney sing-along’s and much more, why not tune in via the @againstbc Facebook Page and help fund vital research into secondary spread breast cancer. See you there!
South Central Ambulance Resources
Please see the below from South Central Ambulance Service:
During these challenging times, South Central Ambulance Service would like to offer our support by sharing resources your communities may find useful. We have also launched two competitions for children and young people, further details can be found below:
South Central Ambulance Service website: https://www.scas.nhs.uk/
SCAS Kids website: https://scaskids.co.uk/
SCAS Youth website: http://scasyouth.co.uk/
SCAS Kids Competition
Children have sent in some amazing colourings and drawings in to us over the past few weeks:
999 Ted would love to see them bought to life in 3D! Children can use anything that they can find at home like cereal boxes or cardboard boxes, milk cartons, loo rolls and more to make their own ambulance. There is a template available on the SCAS Kids website to help them get started or they can make their own ambulance however they want to!
Winners will receive a special visit to their school from 999 Ted with an ambulance and paramedic to teach children about first aid and how to save lives next term if government guidelines allow us to do so.
999 Ted will select one winner from each county that is covered by South Central Ambulance Service. The competition is open to children 13 years and under. We don’t need the item to be sent in as they might want to keep it in the classroom or at home but they can send in a photo to getinvolved@scas.nhs.uk before the 21st July 2020
If you have any questions or would like any further information please do get in touch
SCAS Youth Competition
South Central Ambulance Service would like to thank you all so much for your ongoing support through these challenging times.
Now we are asking you to show your support to each other. If you could send a message of support to anyone other young person right now what would you say? We’re looking for you to use your creative skills to spread encouragement to young people in your area. You can either do this by drawing, painting or even write a poem – the choice is yours! Your entry could be added to our SCAS Youth website as well as winning you and your school a visit from us in the future.
To enter send in a photo of your work to getinvolved@scas.nhs.uk by 28th July 2020
Casual Vacancy
Following the sad death of Councillor Jeanette Halliday, please see below a notice of casual vacancy which has been published.
Fishing Season and Permits
Fishing Permits are now due for renewal for the fishing season that starts on 16th June.
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, these are currently being issued online. Please email enquiries@abingdon.gov.uk with your name and address and whether you have an existing permit already.
Fishing permits are free for Abingdon’s permanent residents and proof of address should be attached to the email. Anglers from outside town are able to buy a permit to fish at a low cost. Please email to apply and an arrangement will be made for payment by BACS.
The terms and conditions of the permits and pricing of visitor permits can be viewed online here.
All anglers should also have an Environment Agency valid rod licence which can be obtained online here .
You should always carry your permit as well as your rod licence and proof of home address when you are fishing the Abingdon Fisheries as our Water Keeper may ask you to produce this documentation.
