Hiroshima Peace Lanterns on the River Thames in Abingdon

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The Mayor of Hiroshima sent a letter to the Mayor of Abingdon, along with the mayors of other towns and cities that have joined the peace accord. It was read out by the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Andrew Skinner.

Then, Emiko Urata, a recently retired teacher from Hiroshima, explained the significance of the paper lanterns she had brought from Japan and the paper cranes she had made herself.

Around 75 people gathered around the Peace Pole in St Ethelwold’s Garden to read the Peace Pledge together.

As in previous years, the lanterns were carried in procession to the River Thames. The first lantern was launched by the Mayor of Abingdon and Emiko Urata.

The Oxford Seagreen Singers sang from St Helen’s Wharf.

In Japan, many cities hold lantern-floating ceremonies at this time of year to remember those who died in the atomic bombings. This is the third year that the ceremony has taken place in Abingdon, marking the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945.

There were twelve new lanterns this year, painted by the art club at Notre Dame Seishin Junior High School in Hiroshima. They joined lanterns preserved from previous years.

Each lantern carried a message of peace in English or Japanese, or featured symbols expressing hopes for a more peaceful world.

After drifting, the lanterns were collected by canoeists so they can be reused in future years.

Five Abingdon People

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A single bell tolled every few seconds across Abingdon Market Place today from St Nicolas Church. The church was full, and the churchwarden found extra chairs from somewhere.

There seem to have been a lot of funerals recently. Yesterday was a day of two funerals.

In the morning, Trinity Church held the funeral of John, one of our congregation. He was a steward who was always wanting to help and described as ‘a lovely man’.

Later in the day, Christ Church held the funeral of former Mayor and former Chair of the Vale of White Horse District Council, Councillor Margaret Crick. Alongside her family and friends were the Mayor, the town mace, and many current and former councillors who had served with her over the years. One told me how important she was during Covid in her role as Chair of the Vale, when she had a direct line to the minister.

There were also two funerals at All Saints Church just over a week ago, both for members of their congregation. Both were well attended. One was for Michael who had been a church minister in Africa and who finally settled in Abingdon to be near family. The other was for Derek, the former Chief Executive of UKAEA. His grandson said, “The world would be a much better place if everyone were more like Grandpa,” and someone else said, “Curiosity was his superpower.” People filled the church, church hall, balcony and foyer for Derek’s funeral.

Abingdon is small enough to have many overlapping circles of people. Someone you recognise from one part of the town turns up at the funeral of someone you never realised they knew. It is interesting to discover the connections between these seemingly distinct people.

The thanksgiving service at St Nicolas today was for Evelyn, a member of Abingdon Artists. Some of her paintings were displayed at the front. She was one of the familiar faces who often helped at events at St Nicolas. You may have known her too, even if you don’t know the name.

Abbey Buildings Restoration: Site Secured

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A couple of weeks ago Gaby sent me this photo with the message: ‘Abbey Buildings slype now closed.’

A slype is a narrow, covered passage, particularly one found in a cathedral or medieval monastery. This one links Checker Walk and Thames Street.

Hoardings now surround parts of the Abbey Buildings as restoration work gets underway.

On 22 July, contractor Savvy Group announced the start of conservation and sustainability work on the Grade I listed Abbey Buildings, saying: ‘Opportunities to work on a site of such historical significance are rare, and it is a genuine privilege to play a role in preserving an important part of England’s heritage.’

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will conserve the historic buildings, improve accessibility and help secure their future as a community asset.

The Abbey Buildings Trust has appointed a Visual Arts Lead to work with local communities, schools and volunteers to create artwork inspired by the Abbey Buildings, including a large public artwork to be displayed on the site hoardings during the restoration.

Just 0.2 mm of Rain in July 2026

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According to Flood Radar, just 0.2 mm of rain fell at a monitoring station near the sewage works in south Abingdon during July 2026. The July average is around 37 mm. By contrast, June rainfall at this monitoring station was above average.

In southern England, July has been reported as the driest on record. To help conserve water supplies, there is a temporary hosepipe ban, but there are a number of exemptions.

You may still see sprinklers operating on cricket pitches or other sports grounds. Watering is permitted where it is necessary to maintain a safe playing surface, but not the entire ground.

Other exemptions include:

* Food crops where watering with a hosepipe is essential.
* Commercial horticulture and plants grown for sale.
* Animal welfare, including ponds containing fish.
* People with certain disabilities or medical conditions who qualify for exemptions.

* Newly planted street trees (planted within the last three years where hand watering is not practical).

Some newly planted street trees have been provided with watering bags and labels asking people to become Tree Guardians by helping to keep them watered. This tree appears to have been badly affected by the prolonged dry weather. If its roots are still alive, regular watering over the coming weeks could still give it a chance of recovery.