A Changing Canvas at the Library

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There are regularly changing displays in the library, ensuring there is always something new to see. Alongside recommended books selected by library staff, Abingdon Artists also feature a different artist each month.

This month’s featured artist is Valerie Dearlove, who describes herself as a self-taught “primitive” or “outsider” artist working in oil on canvas. Her style is direct and colurful, unconcerned with formal conventions. The painting currently on display in the library shows a woman breastfeeding.

Morrisons Daily to Replace Budgens at Peachcroft Shopping Centre

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Morrisons Daily is to replace Budgens at the Peachcroft Shopping Centre in Abingdon.

Half the shelves in the Peachcroft shop are already empty ahead of its closure on Sunday, April 12. The store will then undergo a refit before reopening as a Morrisons Daily on Thursday, April 23 – St George’s Day. The reopened shop will retain the existing staff.

Budgens stores are usually independently owned but supplied through a national wholesaler. In recent years, Budgens has been owned by Booker Group, which is part of Tesco. The Peachcroft Budgens has stocked Tesco-linked own-brand products, such as the Jack’s range.

Abingdon will soon have almost every major supermarket, either as a large store, neighbourhood shop or petrol station outlet. That includes Aldi (large), Asda (petrol station outlet), Co-op (two stores), Lidl (large), Marks & Spencer Food (opening soon), Morrisons (opening soon), Tesco (one large and two neighbourhood stores), and Waitrose (large). Sainsbury’s is the exception.

Bringing Blossom Back

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In Ladygrove Meadow, off Drayton Road, the 30 fruit trees planted in February 2025 by the town council and community volunteers are in blossom.

Blossom seems to be all around the Ladygrove Meadow playpark — including lots of blackthorn in the nearby hedgerows.

Blossom can also be seen at Boxhill Recreation Ground, where community volunteers planted 20 fruit trees back in November 2020.

Ladygrove Meadow and Boxhill are part of a wider national movement. Across the UK, communities and local councils are planting orchards affter decades of decline. The National Trust estimates that more than half of all orchards in England and Wales have been lost to housing and development.

What’s On in Abingdon (Mid April 2026)

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Beauty and the Beast
7–11 April | 7:30pm  Saturday Matinee 2:30pm
Amey Theatre, Abingdon
Abingdon Operatic Society brings Disney’s Broadway musical to Abingdon.

Musica Medievalis – Medieval Music Concert
10 April | 7:30pm (doors 7:00pm)
St Nicolas Church, Abingdon
Join Marco Cannavò and Steve Tyler for a  journey back to medieval Europe, featuring hurdy-gurdy, harp, lute, and organ. A blend of sacred and secular music.

Clubs & Societies Day 2026
Saturday 11 April | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Guildhall, Unit 25, St Nicolas Church & Market Place, Abingdon
Discover the wide range of local groups and organisations in Abingdon. A great chance to meet people, learn something new, and get involved.

Creating Ponds for Wildlife
Wednesday 15 April | 7:30pm
Abingdon Baptist Church
An illustrated talk by Jeremy Biggs exploring how to create ponds that support biodiversity and wildlife.

Author Talk: Carolyn Kirby – Ravenglass
Thursday 16 April | 6:00pm
Abingdon Library
Novelist Carolyn Kirby discusses her historical novel Ravenglass, set during the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Tickets: £2 (includes a welcome drink).

History Talk: Unremembered Allies
Thursday 16 April | 7:45pm
Northcourt Centre, Abingdon
A talk by Rev. Mark Nam on the Chinese Labour Corps in WWI – the often overlooked story of over 140,000 men who supported Allied efforts during the war.

Celtic Songs & Music Evening
Saturday 18 April | 7:30pm
St Helen’s Church, Abingdon
An evening of traditional Celtic music with Valentine Roland, performed on violin, guitar, and tin whistle.