What’s On in Abingdon – Late March & Early April

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On Saturday 28th March (9am–3pm), the Abingdon Local Excellence Markets return to the Market Place with a Spring Craft Market. There will be a wide range of locally made crafts and gifts — a good chance to browse and meet makers.

The Annual Parish Meeting takes place on Wednesday 1st April 2026 at 7pm in the Roysse Room at Roysse Court, Bridge Street.

This is the Town Council’s opportunity to report back on its work over the past year, with updates from committee chairs. PCSO Ali Blood will also speak about local policing. Local charities and community groups supported by council grants will share what they’ve been doing, and there will be time for residents to ask questions about the town.

With the Easter holidays beginning, there are plenty of activities for children and families.

At Abingdon Library, there’s an Easter Storytime with Sustainable Crafting on Wednesday 1st April, 1–2pm. This free session is ideal for children aged 4–10, combining stories with simple craft activities. Spaces are limited, so booking is recommended.

At Abingdon Museum, the “Chicks ’n’ Eggs” Easter craft session also takes place on Wednesday 1st April (10:30am–12:30pm and 1:30pm–3:30pm). This is a drop-in event where children can make hanging chicks and decorated collage eggs.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse councils are also running a wider programme of holiday activities across the area. In Abingdon, this includes a Mini Fun Day (9am–1pm) at White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre on Thursday 3rd April. There are other activities available. Details and booking can be found online at https://www.southandvale.gov.uk/south-and-vale-holiday-activities/

For music, Unicorn Theatre hosts Suntou Susso on Thursday 2nd April (7:00–10:30pm). This is part of his The Future is Ancestral tour, an evening of kora music (a traditional West African instrument) and song. To book see https://musicattheunicorn.org.uk/.

Barrow Hills BMX Track Closed Waiting Redevelopment

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The BMX track at Barrow Hills was closed earlier this year. A notice says that an inspection by Vale of White Horse District Council officers, alongside local experts, found that the track is too dangerous. Short-term repairs were considered, but these would not be cost-effective.

As a result, officers are now exploring funding options for a full redevelopment of the track.

This image shows the track around twenty years ago, when it was already past its best. It was used by BMX riders as well as rollerbladers and skateboarders. It was there long before the Skate Park at The Leisure Centre.

The land was given to the community by Paddy Dockar Drysdale, who previously owned land in the area.¹ The wider park, including the car park and football pitch, remains open.

¹ Richard Dudding, Wick Hall: The Story of a House and a Family

Solar Panels and Heat Pumps at Leisure Centre

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A year ago it was announced that contractors had begun work on a project at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre to install 600 solar panels

and air source heat pumps, with the aim of reducing the council’s overall carbon emissions by more than 25%. The work now appears to be complete. The site looks mostly very smart, particularly the indoor tennis facilities and the four outdoor astroturf courts.

By contrast, the eight outdoor clay courts appear in need of attention. It does prompt questions about whether they are surplus to requirements.

Abandoned Vehicle Removed as A34 Lodge Hill Works Continue

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An abandoned van could be seen last week beside the fencing at the Lodge Hill A34 junction redevelopment where new south-facing slip roads and two roundabouts are being constructed.

By today, the vehicle has gone. It was near one of the new roundabouts currently under construction.

At that roundabout, kerbstones now mark the curve of the new carriageway, while newly planted trees hedge this part of the development.

Meanwhile, extensive earthworks are underway for the new southbound slip roads onto the A34. This view is from the bridge over the A34. One of the contractors said a drone had been flying to record progress.