Something for Camera and Jigsaw Enthusiasts at Added Ingredients

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At Added Ingredients, Jill continues to sell wines and food products, including these local honeys.

In the other half of the shop, Martin sells his photographs and has a growing range of second-hand cameras, lenses, and other photographic equipment. He says there is renewed interest in film cameras from people wanting to return to more authentic photography – pre-digital manipulation, and pre-AI.

Martin is also taking pre-orders for his Abingdon jigsaw puzzle.

Dancing alongside the Thames: Duncan Reaches Abingdon

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Starting at Hampton Court Palace on Sunday 10 May 2026, Duncan Bhaskaran Brown has danced the Thames Path from London to Abingdon-on-Thames, arriving in Abingdon Market Place at 7:20pm on Tuesday evening. He is attempting to set a new Guinness World Record for long-distance Morris dancing by completing a 200-mile charity challenge from London to Abingdon and back again. Duncan danced into the square accompanied by his wife and daughter.

The Town Crier welcomed him with a formal cry, and a large crowd gathered in the Market Place to cheer his arrival, including members of the Vale Islanders.

Also there were Armaleggan, the Oxfordshire Border Morris side, in their distinctive feathered hats, rag coats and painted faces.

You can support Duncan’s charity challenge at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/duncan-bhaskaranbrown
. Funds raised will support the Rowan Trust, Maidenhead Alzheimer’s Dementia Support, The Brain Tumour Charity, Thames Valley Adventure Playground, The Sherwood Foundation, and The Listening Post.

Old Maltings development well underway

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The Old Maltings, in the Vineyard in Abingdon, was used as a malthouse for more than 100 years before closing in the late 1980s. Until 2020, the building served as the main offices of Sovereign Housing Association, during which time it had a front canopy and lift.

Since then, the site has undergone redevelopment to convert the building into apartments. The open undercroft area, previously used for car parking, has been enclosed to create  apartments. Terraced houses have been added at the sides.
The former canopy and lift have been removed and the facade is being made to blend with the neighbouring property. A banner has appeared saying 1 and 2 bedroom apartments are available.

A video discussing how the development was planned over time, including commentary on the phased addition of further flats and the planning process, can be viewed here: :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exnUpWiy_Hw

Abingdon Celebrates St Edmund 850th anniversary with Cakes and Ales

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Edmund Rich – later to become St Edmund of Abingdon – was born in Abingdon around 1175. St Edmund’s Lane in Abingdon preserves the memory of what was traditionally regarded as his birthplace, and there was once a chapel dedicated to him in that area. St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School in Abingdon and Our Lady and St Edmund of Abingdon Church are also dedicated to him. There is a plaque in his honour in that church (above) and another outside St Nicolas Church where his mother was buried.

Beyond Abingdon his fame was to grow. St Edmund Hall, a college of the University of Oxford, is also dedicated to his memory as a teacher and has a modern statue there in his memory. He studied in Oxford and Paris and taught in Oxford. In 1222 he became Canon of Salisbury Cathedral during the cathedral’s great building period. In 1233 Edmund became Archbishop of Canterbury. He was known for personal austerity, care for the poor, and for defending church rights during the reign of Henry III. His efforts to challenge royal interference brought him into conflict with the king. He left England intending to present his case to the papal court in Rome, but he fell ill on the journey and died in France in 1240. Edmund was buried at Pontigny Abbey, where he became venerated as Saint Edme. He was made a saint in 1246, only six years after his death.

Abingdon is marking the 850th anniversary of St Edmund with the ‘Cakes and Ales Festival’ on Saturday 16 May 2026. The celebration includes music, refreshments and community events connected with St Edmund’s life and legacy. There will be a Medieval Recipe Cake, a talk on Anglo Saxon Beer-Making, a cake stall on the Market Place and a Loose Cannon Special 850th Ale.

One featured event is a piano recital at St Michael and All Angels Church at 3pm, followed by tea and cakes.

Another event is a Ceilidh at St Michael’s.

A fuller weekend of events can be seen on the official leaflet. Most of the other events are free.