NOWADAYS you only have to blink and the Abergavenny you once knew has been transformed, modified, or obliterated in some shape or form.

Things change, that’s what they do best. Some people feel short changed by change and others embrace it with open arms.

The latest change in town is the disappearance of the petrol station on the Hereford Road.

The old garage was a popular location for early-morning drunken scuffles and one of the few choice places in Abergavenny you could get a chicken slice, a can of Red Bull, a packet of red Rizlas and a box of Nurofen at 3am.

Sadly, as the featured photo illustrates, it’s now gone the way of the Dodo.

What will replace it? And where now will a man be able to purchase a packet of beef flavored Monster Munch and a Scotch Egg as he makes the demanding trek up the Hereford Road in the wee godforsaken hours?

It’s a pressing concern felt by many. Especially by regular user and semi-professional runner, Johnny Turnip.

Wearing a fluorescent pink mesh vest, emblazoned with the slogan, ‘Be The Change You Wish To See’, Turnip swung by the Chronicle offices to vent his spleen and give voice to his disgust at the loss of what he views as another Abergavenny landmark.

“I bloody loved that garage lad,” barked Turnip.

“My regular 2.30am runs around town just aren’t the same without it. Many a time after hitting the trail hard and breaking personal bests, I’d stop off there for a pint can of Stella. You could buy individual cans straight from the fridge you know? Ice cold and refreshing. There’s nowhere for me to do that now in Aber.”

A disgruntled Turnip growled, “Since the garage has shut up shop, I’m forced to take a hip-flask of gin with me on my runs just to keep my vision clear, my hand steady and my spirits up. And that ain’t right for an athlete of my calibre is it?

“Can you imagine Usain Bolt having to resort to such measures? It really is beyond the pale.

“I tell you something for nothing flower, this town sure ain’t the town it used to be. To my mind it all started to go downhill when they shut the Chevron.”