There are plans to replace a tree in Bury Street with a sculpture as part of the proposed investment in the precinct.
Back in April, the tree had new leaves and blossom and probably looked its best.
Now most of those leaves have fallen. The last few remain.
Meanwhile on the Market Place, while all the other trees are loosing their leaves, a Christmas Tree appeared today.
Armistice Day (11th November) is an opportunity to remember all those who have died in wars and conflicts around the world.
It is now 81 years since the end of the Second World War in 1945. With fewer veterans of that war still with us, thoughts also turn to more recent wars, including Iraq and Afghanistan, in which British troops served. Abingdon is also home to people who have been forced to leave their own countries because of conflict, including the war in Syria and the continuing war in Ukraine.
On Wednesday 11 November, people gathered around Abingdon’s War Memorial for the traditional Armistice Day ceremony. There was a two-minute silence, during which the standard bearer of the Royal British Legion lowered the standard.
People stood with heads bowed on the traffic island surrounding the memorial. Others watched from the outer pavement, including a group of children from Thameside School.
The Mayor then laid a wreath, followed by Clare, representing the Royal British Legion, who placed a large cluster of poppies at the memorial. People remained for a while, chatting before gradually dispersing.
There was also a wreath placed at the rear of the memorial in memory of Private Albert Webb, beneath the section bearing his name among those who died.
The act of remembrance goes beyond the memorial itself. Walking up Bath Street, the window of the Acacia charity shop displayed pictures and words saying “Lest we Forget”. Other shops and estate agents around the town also marked the occasion with displays.
Two days earlier, on 9 November, members of Abingdon Peace Group gathered at the War Memorial. The group has been meeting regularly every Monday morning since 2022, expressing its solidarity with peacemakers in all conflicts.
Their message was different in emphasis: “No More War: The Best Way to Honour the Dead is to Work to Prevent War”.
The group said that the poppy wreaths at the memorial represent the deep gratitude felt by Abingdon residents towards the British soldiers who gave their lives in the two world wars. But their thoughts also extended to the dead of all countries and all wars.
They quoted Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, who said, “We could not prevent their deaths the first time, but if we forget them they will be killed a second time. And this time, it will be our
responsibility”.
Work at Peachcroft Roundabout should be nearing completion this month. Some resurfacing work remains.
The most significant change as a result of this work is the new, separate left-turn lane from Dunmore Road towards Lodge Hill, allowing traffic to bypass the roundabout. The other approaches have also been widened. It has taken a long time because of sewer connections underneath this area.
The work on the footpath and cycleway may take longer to complete. For the time being, there is a diversion through the Radley Reach estate.
Further up Lodge Hill, the new slip roads appear to have been constructed. Work is continuing on one of the two roundabouts.
Looking up from the path towards Sunningwell, a new drainage ditch can be seen. Some trees have been protected during the construction work, including this lone oak.
It should not be long now before the long-campaigned-for full interchange is complete and we see the results on the traffic around Abingdon.
The council’s Lodge Hill Interchange project page gives the remaining stages:
Stage 5 (Autumn 2026)
Construction of the western section of the southern roundabout continues.
Construction of the A34 southbound on-slip takes place.
Traffic will be predominantly free-flowing during this stage.
Stage 6 (Winter 2026)
Overnight closures of the A4183, between 8pm and 6am, for final resurfacing works.
The new junction opens to traffic.
How quickly this year is passing us by. Fireworks, Remembrance, and the familiar end-of-year routines follow one after another.
On Saturday, the Town Crier announced the opening of the Charity Christmas Card shop at St Nicolas Church. His announcement brought in a group of visitors. Following them inside, he remarked on the warm, friendly feel about town, with so many people stopping for a chat.