The town crier announced the Local Excellence Craft Market on the Market Place this morning.

One of the local crafts was beer brewing which has been going on in Abingdon for hundreds of years. The LoveBeer Brewery had a stall. They brew just four miles from Abingdon in the village of Milton. They said they’d also be at the Beer Festival that is taking place at the Abbey Buildings.

At the Abbey Buildings there was another Town Crier. He announced, ‘Welcome to Abingdon’s Traditional Beer Festival. The monks brewed beer here in the Abbey Buildings from medieval times. You will have beer, you will have food, you will have fun and you will have live music from 7 pm. You will be regaled with music by local legends The Mercenaries….

There were 32 beers and four ciders.

They included eight beers from Loose Cannon brewery from Abingdon, and two beers from Lovebeer from Milton (the 3.9 and 4.6 on the list above).

There was food from Fat Tabby and a cake stall. The cake stall does well as some people take cakes home after their night on the beer.

The Mercenaries played their set as the festival filled up.

All of this helps raise money for the Friends of the Abbey Buildings who maintain, and are looking to improve the Abbey Buildings.

Two buses arrived on Abingdon High Street this afternoon, the 33 and 44. The 33 and 44 bus routes were changed this month. The Abingdon to Oxford section of the 33 bus route is now operated by the 44 bus. The 44 bus goes from Abingdon to Oxford via Cumnor. The 33 bus now goes from Abingdon to Henley-on-Thames.

They are both advertising the Amy Winehouse film “Back to Black,” now on at the Abbey Cinema.

The Abingdon County Hall Museum is hosting an exhibition titled “MG 100 – Evolution of an Icon,” commemorating the 100th anniversary of the MG brand. This exhibition takes visitors through MG’s history, highlighting the iconic models, record-breaking achievements, and influential figures who shaped the brand.

The exhibition begins in the sessions hall as a series of information boards, each board exploring one aspect of MG’s story. There is then a film and artefacts, there and upstairs in the attic area. You can learn about:

• MG Early Days: Morris Motors and MG. MG Finds Identity. Rise of the MG Midget.
• Lord Nuffield: The visionary owner and Managing Director of Morris Motors who played a pivotal role in MG’s development.
• Cecil Kimber: The Managing Director who is credited with shaping MG’s unique identity.
• MG Car Club: John Thornley founded the MG Car Club in 1930, fostering a passionate community of enthusiasts.
• The War Years: The repurposing of the factory for wartime production of tanks.

The exhibition highlights MG’s post-war achievements with sections on:

• The MGA: An export success, particularly popular in the USA.
• Syd Enever: MG’s chief engineer, who played a key role in the MGA and MGB.
• The MGB: Another iconic model that achieved great export success, especially in the American market.
• The New Midget: A successful smaller sports car featuring a smaller engine.
• EX Numbers: A section dedicated to prototypes and parts, not all of which reached production, showcasing MG’s spirit of innovation.
• MG’s racing heritage: Racing drivers, George Eyston and Goldie Gardner
• The End of MG Abingdon: The decision by BL to prioritize a Triumph model over the MGB, and other factors that led to closure of MG production in Abingdon.
• MG After Abingdon: The brand’s continuation with production shifting to other locations including China.

Beyond the information boards, the exhibition offers :

• Films: A film featuring Sterling Moss and an MG record-breaking car, and a documentary showing the process of lifting the last MGB into the museum.
• Vehicles on Display: A showcase of MG car models in a display case allows visitors to see dozens of models together.
• Additional Exhibits: The exhibition features various artifacts including a section of the assembly track, and design drawings by Peter Neal. He is now the club archivist who collaborated with the museum staff in making the exhibition.

For more details about the exhibition, visit the Abingdon Museum website: https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/event/exhibition-mg-100-evolution-of-an-icon. Admission FREE. The museum is financed and overseen by Abingdon Town Council.

Walking into the Abbey Gardens, first you see Magnolia

and then a line of cherry trees in blossom.

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough
(from Shropshire Lad by A E Houseman)

The Abbey Grounds are transformed into a wonderland of white.

Cherry trees, both near the Cattle Market Carpark and around Abbey House, are full of white blossoms. The small leaves are just appearing.

Even yesterday’s strong winds haven’t mar this yet. The trees are like the height of a Spring celebration. In a week or sos time, it will have become like confetti on the ground.

The Abingdon Horticultural Society’s Spring Show was a vibrant display of local gardening expertise. Mayor Councillor Gwyneth Lewis presented awards to the winners, having been warmly welcomed by Society Chairman David Bingley.

Charlton Park Garden Centre, the show’s sponsor, not only provided support but also brought a selection of seasonal plants This Wantage-based garden centre also offers a regular stall at Abingdon Market every Monday.

The competition included various categories of spring blooms and houseplants. This year’s tulips were particularly impressive. There were also handicraft and cookery competitions. Founded in 1885, the Abingdon Horticultural Society has a rich history of nurturing local gardeners. Learn more about the society and its upcoming events at https://www.abingdon-hort-soc.org.uk/.

Abingdon town centre was brightened today by people collecting for the Marie Curie charity, who provide the right support at the end of life, whether at home or in hospices.

The Abingdon Horticultural Society spring show will be open to the public from 2-4pm at the NorthCourt Centre, with prizegiving and raffle at 4pm.

On Saturday 20 April at 5pm, award-winning Harmony InSpires ladies a capella choir will be returning to St Michael’s Church with ‘Harmony in Springtime’, a concert of 4-part harmony in a wide variety of styles from musicals, pop classics and ballads. There will be a guest appearance from Caritas Children’s Choir, a charitable venture of the Wantage and Grove Christian Aid Group to raise money for Christian Aid projects.

Tickets: adults £12/accompanied children under 16 free, available online at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DCXA or by card/cash on the door. Kindly sponsored by Taylor-Made Mobility. Proceeds to St Michael’s Church funds. Proceeds from refreshments and raffle on the day to Harmony InSpires.

In their 80th year, The Abingdon Drama Club’s production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is running from April 17th to 20th at the Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon. This is a comedic take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, following the perspective of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters who find themselves increasingly confused by the events unfolding around them.

Only one day remaining (matinee and evening) for 9 To 5, the current production of the Abingdon Operatic Society.

This is my longest-ever blog report. I have broken it into three sections: council reports, reports from local groups, and questions from the public.

Part 1 – Council Reports

The Mayor’s Report

Abingdon’s Mayor, Councillor Gwyneth Lewis, started the meeting by highlighting key moments from her year. She celebrated milestones like the 50th anniversary of volunteer drivers, the 100th year of MG cars, and the 50th show of the Abingdon and District Model Railway Club.

Her visits to allotments focused on biodiversity and special community groups. She was delighted to learn about the Didcot, Abingdon & Wantage Talking Newspaper.

Councillor Lewis also spoke about her initiative to improve support and sanctuaries for victims of domestic abuse. Progress has been made following a forum at the cinema and with the help of her chosen charity, Reducing the Risk.

She concluded by welcoming the new permanent Town Clerk who was sitting beside her.

Committee Reports

The chairs of the council’s four permanent committees then presented their reports. More detailed information can be found on the council’s website: https://abingdon.gov.uk/2024/03/07/notice-april-4-2024/.https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/annual-parish-town-meeting-2024.

Community committee – Councillor Neil Fawcett

Gave thanks to all the staff.

Celebrations: The committee successfully organised events for King Charles III’s Coronation and continued popular traditions like Bun Throwing. Since it was only a few days into the new council, both retired, and new councillors took part in the bun throw.

Community Support: Major grants were awarded to key groups like The Abingdon Carousel and One Planet Abingdon. Numerous smaller grants funded local projects and events.

Review of Platinum Jubilee: An ‘honest’ report had been put together and highlighted some of the faults. It can be seen at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Item-11-Report-on-Platinum-Jubilee-UPDATED-14.2.24-Community-Committee-6.2.24.pdf.

Environment and Amenities committee – Councillor Gabby Barody

Gave thanks to all the outdoor staff.

Spring Gardens Cemetery Improvements: Upgrades are underway in the Infant Burial area, including new paving, a memorial post box, seating, flower beds, and shrub planting. Completion is expected in June.

Playground Areas: New pendulum swings were installed in two playgrounds, and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) was added to Caldecott Recreation Ground. A path in North Abingdon’s Hillview Park was resurfaced for long-term use. Self-closing gates have been installed in all playgrounds for improved access and safety.

Councillor Barody also talked about the Green forum, biodiversity competition, and active travel map.

She said she would be Mayor next year and so would stand down from chairing this committee after two years, and that it has been a pleasure.

Town Infrastructure committee – Councillor Colin Sanderson

Public Toilets:
• Two businesses and one community centre are offering toilet access to non-customers.
• The “Space for Change” accessible toilet is open under the Guildhall.
• The Vale repaired the accessible toilet in the Abbey Meadow. Persistent vandalism has meant that the Vale has to balance cost of repairs (about $30K last year) against keeping toilets open.

Speeding: Seven Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) will rotate between 14 locations.

Bus Services: A working group is reviewing bus routes to better serve Abingdon’s population. Councillor Sanderson asked for the public to let them know if areas in Abingdon are underserved.

Bicycle Parking: More bicycle racks will be installed in the Market Place.

Finance, Governance, Asset Management committee – Councillor Jim Halliday

The council’s net planned spend for 2023-24 was £2,136,960.
Funding sources include:
• Precept (council tax money): £1,823,515
• Fees & charges and rents income
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds from new property developments

CIL Funds:
• The council received £106,958 in CIL funds during 2022/23, which must be used on capital projects.
• They spent £12,000 on a scout hut refurbishment and school sports turf.
• During 2023/24, they approved spending £155,216 on speed signs, path resurfacing, an active travel map, playground equipment, and a multi-use games area.

Governance:
• New council members were elected in May 2023.
• Cherie Carruthers was appointed Town Clerk/Chief Executive and Responsible Finance Officer in February 2024. (There had been three temporary town clerks in the last year.)
• A Deputy Town Clerk will start mid May and help to bring stability.

Asset Management:
• A lease agreement was negotiated with the Abbey Cinema (runs to Aug 2025).
• A working group is being formed to plan a major refurbishment of the Abbey Hall for late 2025. (The roof has no insulation and other issues.) Tenders for a long-term lease will begin.
• Feasibility studies are underway for installing a lift in the County Hall, and discussions have been held with Historic England.

Councillor Halliday thanked staff and ex-councillors for their work.

Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan – Councillor Andrew Skinner

The Neighbourhood Plan is our chance to shape how Abingdon develops in the future. It’s important to understand that this isn’t just a council plan; it’s a plan for the entire town, created with the help of volunteers.

There’s been a delay, though. While the plan has great ideas for the town’s future, it needed more specific details about how those ideas would be achieved with planning rules. The planning officers from the Vale are now helping the volunteers develop these details.

There are two key benefits in having a neighbourhood plan:
• Currently, the Town Council doesn’t have direct control over planning decisions. But a Neighbourhood Plan sets clear rules for future developments, giving the town a stronger voice in what gets built and how it looks.
• Having a Neighbourhood Plan can also increase the amount of money the Town Council receives through a levy called Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Part 2 – Reports from local groups (some of which receive large grants from the council)

Fuller reports can be seen on the town council webite

The Abingdon Bridge: This youth support service is thriving! They received funding for the next five years and highlighted the transition of young people from receiving help to becoming helpers themselves. Three of the young people were there to speak.

Police Update: Sergeant Emma focused on their priorities: tackling violence against women and girls, retail crime, anti-social behaviour, and financial scams targeting the elderly. They encourage us to follow their Facebook page for more details.

Abingdon Carousel: The group receives a £35,000 grant from the council. They offer various activities for families with young children, with most visitors coming from Abingdon itself.

Abingdon Damascus Youth Project spoke of their gazebo as a dedicated meeting space for young people.

One Planet Abingdon: They reminded everyone about the climate emergency and encouraged residents to get involved in their initiatives. You can visit their centre located under the County Hall Museum.

Other Groups: Oxfordshire South and Vale Citizens Advice and the Guild of Town Criers also presented their work.

The Mayor thanked all the groups and said, ‘What an amazing place Abingdon is’.

Part 3 – The publics chance to discuss town affairs

Terry challenged councillors to do more in terms of accessibility. She mentioned the Vale Access Group, of which she is a member, who advises on accessibility. They could advise the committee looking at revamping the Guildhall. She also mentioned nearly getting run over by bikes on the precinct and asked for more to be done about such anti-social behaviour.

Mike mentioned how he thought the Guildhall was made of concrete and was then told it was made of the finest Portland Stone. He asked why then was the Guildhall recently painted grey. The town clerk said that they could find no way to way to remove some graffiti and it had been painted. She said that had been a mistake. They would look to remedy that.

Bobby said that the local neighbourhood plan had been dragging on for over three years, and only now is the Vale advising on planning. What had the consultants been doing all that time if not bringing in the right people at the right time? When would it be ready? Councillor Skinner said hopefully by this time next year. Bobby said she will hopefully be back here next year to see.

Brian from the Ock Valley Flood Group said members had been flooded again. The Oxford Flood group had come to look and were unsure thay could do much. The EA had previously looked into schemes and thought them too expensive. He asked the Town Council to pressurise these groups to do more. It is a constant worry for residents who cannot get flood insurance. Councillor Neil Fawcett said they would push for progress and that the Town Council will be providing local storage for sandbags. That was one small practical help.

David mentioned flooding at Chilton Close and how the Radley Brook floods quicker now since developments. It was said that the owner of the culvert had been identified, and they will keep it clear. David went on to say the West End allotments have been flooded since October. He would like to know whether the Sandford Brook was contaminated as they need to know the risk. He said that if Abingdon Common (on which the allotments sits) belongs to the Town Council, as many think, then they are responsible for that area. The Town Council will investigate.

Somebody raised the issue of £28K being spent on security for the Jubilee celebrations which was out of proportion. Councillor Fawcett said, thanks to an ‘honest’ report, mentioned earlier, lessons had been learned.

Steve suggested that the land on Abingdon Common be used for a wind or solar farm to get a better return than what is got from farming. Councillor Halliday said that wind was probably not feasible in this area, but solar could possibly be given the right connection to the National Grid. The farmer also has a long lease.

Hester asked, as she has most years, about progress on a Market Place notice board. The new Town Clerk was looking to improve communications and will put that in the remit of the new Deputy Town Clerk.

Somebody raised concerns about hedges and ivy blocking footpaths and cycleways. Clearing them can be helpful, but it can also show damage done to the pavement underneath. He asked why the council can’t just maintain these areas regularly. Councillor Halliday explained that councils have limited funds and can’t fix everything at once. He said residents can suggest areas for deep cleaning by Biffa. He also mentioned cars and lorries driving onto pavements in the town centre contribute to poor pavement. Councillor Halliday also highlighted the importance of residents taking pride in their community. Groups like Abibinit are a great example of this kind of community spirit.

This evening, Revd Charles Miller, from St Helen’s Church, Abingdon, gave an illustrated talk about his new book, ‘The Spiritual Adventure of Henri Matisse: Vence’s Chapel of the Rosary’.

Matisse was a solitary artist known for defying conventional academic art. His work lacked any obvious religious themes.

In 1941, diagnosed with colon cancer, Matisse entered what he called his “second life.” While hospitalised, under the care of Dominican nuns, the idea for the Chapel of the Rosary was born.

Matisse himself expressed this change: ‘For 50 years I worked relentlessly, never looking up…now I appreciate life in a completely new way.’

By 1948, Matisse declared, ‘I’m walking now on holy ground.’ A Dominican novice, along with two friars, became his spiritual guides for the chapel’s decoration.

For Matisse, the chapel held immense significance. He said, “When I go to the Chapel, I have a feeling that my whole self is there – finally, all that is best in me.”

(Thanks to Mrs Backstreeter for this report. I was at the Abingdon Town Council annual Parish meeting and will try to type up my report by tomorrow.)

Indignation was aroused on Wednesday evening when it became known that the large replica of Felix the Cat, which stands at the front entrance of the Kinema, was missing. However, before long, the worst fears were allayed when the effigy of the famous cat was found at the Queen’s Hotel, where some undergraduates had taken him for a drink.

The Board of Governors of the Abingdon Union, at their meeting on Monday, decided to reopen the casual ward attached to the institution. This action has been influenced by the significant increase in expenses that the board has been called upon to pay to The Berks, Bucks, and Oxon Joint Vagrancy Committee. The sum has increased from £16 pounds to £208 in just three years.

A Whist Drive was held in the Hut, Northcourt on Tuesday, in aid of the women’s Institute.

The Abingdon and District staff of the Pearl Assurance Company Limited held their annual tea at the Baptist Hall. The evening started with a musical selection, followed by a talk from a Pearl Assurance Manager. He noted the significance of the day due to the company publishing their annual accounts in London, and locally opening their new offices in Abingdon.

A hen belonging to Mr. T. Drew of Marcham Road laid an egg weighing over four ounces.

A motor car traveling in the direction of the Market Place met with a curious accident on Wednesday. It seemed that the car, driven by Mr. Bernard Butler of Cowley Road, Oxford, was coming up Ock Street when the steering rod went wrong and locked, causing it to turn and collide with Miss Blizzard’s shopfront, smashing the glass and woodwork.

Notices by the Thames Conservancy have been posted at Abingdon Bridge and at the lock: ‘Beneath the water mark at Abingdon Bridge, there are some projecting stones that could damage navigation craft, so please be careful.’

There was again a good attendance at the second of five lectures during Lent on Sunday afternoon, when the Rev. Dr. A. J. Carlyle (formerly Oxford City Rector) spoke on “Is our civilization going downhill?” These lectures are being held in the Stert Street Cinema.

The Abingdon Licensing Justices decided to refer two licensed houses to the Clerk Compensation Authority, namely, The Steam Plough, Broad Street (owners, Messrs. Morland and Co., brewers, Abingdon; licensee, Mrs. Ellen Doman, widow) and The Fox and Hounds, Vineyard, a beerhouse (owners, Halls Brewery, Oxford; licensee, Mr. Leonard Tame, a painter). Supt. W. Foster’s statement revealed the fact that the population was 7,167, and there were 46 licensed houses, which gave one to every 155 inhabitants. Within 150 yards of The Steam Plough there were seven fully licensed houses, and within a quarter-mile radius of The Fox and Hounds there were nine fully licensed houses, one beerhouse, one grocer’s license, and one refreshment house license.

BOROUGH POLICE COURT. Tuesday.—(Before Messrs. J. Ricketts and J. G. T.) WIFE MAINTENANCE.— Percival Yates, of 17, Stert Street, Abingdon, was summoned for non-maintenance of his wife, Catherine Yates, of The Ark, Manor Road, Wantage. The case took some considerable time, and eventually the Bench made an order for the defendant to pay his wife 15s. per week and the Court costs of 9s. 6d.

St Nicolas church is desirous of completing their new hall, situated in the Abbey, near the Market Place, and a meeting was held Tuesday night with the object of obtaining support by inaugurating a lightning campaign to raise funds. The object is to obtain the sum of £1,600 in 16 months. The campaign was opened at the meeting by Archdeacon Shaw, and the work is to be started when £800 has been obtained. The campaign received strong support from Abingdon churchgoers, resulting in a considerable sum being collected and promised.

The death occurred on Saturday morning from double pneumonia after a very short illness of Mr. William Henry Randall, of Swinbourne Road. Deceased was one of the principal builders in the town, and by his amiability had won a large circle of friends. The funeral took place in the Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon and was attended by a considerable number of friends.

Thank you for the news extracts and adverts from theOxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette in the British Newspaper Archive. Also, thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in Abingdon Library for a couple of adverts and the first few news stories. Felix came from The Picturegoer in July 1924. An egg weighing over four ounces came from the Grimsby Daily Telegraph. I could not find a picture of the Abingdon egg.

The wildflower garden at the bottom of St Ethelwold’s Garden is starting to bloom with Honesty.

There are honey bees and bumble bees in the garden, as well as a good variety of flowers. The bumble bee is getting stuck into a willow catkin for some pollen, so it is not just the flowers that have pollen.

There are lots of grape hyacinths.

Blossoms grow against a wall on an espalier.

There are hundreds of tulips coming up at the moment, and April will look magnificent, but my best picture was of a single tulip.

At the bottom of the garden is a Clematis ‘snowdrift’ with a drift star like flowers. Their long narrow leaves are evergreen and leathery.

I did not do that well photographing the birds this month, but on one hedge, saw a sparrow-like bird. The resulting picture has a strange blurred 3-D quality. Correct me if I’m wrong but it may be a Dunnock, also known as a ‘hedge sparrow’ which is not really a sparrow.