Abingdon Town Council wished the Guild of Town Criers a very happy 25th anniversary in the Spring 2026 edition of the Town Crier magazine. The article explains how, when the role was revived 25 years ago, no single person could be found to take it on, and so a guild was formed.

There are currently ten people in the Guild and one of them was out today, announcing the Local Excellence Spring Craft Market next Saturday, 28th March.

Many people were sitting outside on the Market Place enjoying the sunshine and could hear his proclamation.

At the community shop, 25 Bury Street, there was a plant and seed swap.

Under the County Hall, volunteers were offering free bike checks.

In the Guildhall, the ATOM Science Festival was in progress, with children discovering the principles of physics using Lego. (Thanks to Chat Gpt for changing my final picture to look Lego-like.)

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 7:30 pm, St Ethelwold’s House
Learn how to propagate plants and help your garden grow more sustainably.

Thursday 19 March 2026, 6:00 pm, Abingdon Library
Dr Cathy Wield talks about her book Unshackled Mind. Tickets are £2, including a welcome drink, available from Abingdon Library by calling 01865 815005 or emailing abingdon.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Thursday 19 March 2026, 7:45 pm, Northcourt Centre
The Medieval Streets of Abingdon (The Lambrick Lecture 2026). Roger Thomas explores the history and development of Abingdon’s medieval streets.

Saturday 21 March 2026, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Unit 25 Bury Street
Plant and Seed Share. Bring spare plants or seeds and take home something new to try. There is no need to bring anything to take part. A wide variety will be available, from fruit and vegetables to trees and wildflowers, along with free gardening advice.

Saturday 21 March 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Northcourt Centre
Abingdon Horticultural Society Spring Show. A chance to see a range of seasonal displays and local horticultural expertise. Thanks to Janet for sharing the poster.

Saturday 21 March 2026, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, St Michael and All Angels’ Church
Abingdon Concert Band present an evening of music with a nautical theme: All at Sea!

Saturday 21 March 2026, 7:30 pm, St Helen’s Church,
Abingdon & District Musical Society have a concert featuring Handel’s Coronation Anthems, Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and Purcell’s I Was Glad, along with solo organ interludes.

The first of two Spring concerts by the Abingdon and District Music Society takes place on Saturday 7 March. The programme includes works by Wagner, Suk, and Saint-Saëns.

At the Abbey Cinema on 11 March (6.00–7.30 pm) there is a screening of Gentle Angry Women, followed by a Q&A with the director, Barbara Santi of Folklife Films. The film follows three teenage girls as they encounter the story of the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp for the first time and begin to recognise parallels with their own activism today. Now a nature-rich common, Greenham was once a USAF base housing nuclear-armed Cruise missiles during the 1980s. Many Abingdon residents supported the protests that eventually led to their removal.

Model railway enthusiasts can visit an exhibition featuring over 40 model train layouts, along with traders’ and society stands. More than 4,000 visitors are expected over the two days, on 7 March (10.30 am–5.00 pm) and 8 March (10.30 am–4.30 pm).

The Abingdon Artists Spring Exhibition of recent work opens at St Helen’s Church from 9 March. There will be original work for sale both as part of the exhibition and in browsers. Cards are also available. Members will also be giving demonstrations. Entry is free.

Finally, it is too late for the latest production by the Studio Theatre Club.  ‘Better three hours too soon than a minute too late’ is a quote from their next Abingdon show which is in preparation. The Merry Wives of Windsor will run from 10–13 June, with a script read-through by the cast scheduled for Monday 9 March.

Thursday 12th February – Conversations with Markus Reyhani
7:00pm, St Ethelwold’s House
Musician and songwriter Markus Reyhani joins Duncan Bhaskaran Brown for an evening of conversation. Free entry, donations welcome.

Tuesday 17th February – ATOM Society: Space Sweepers
7:30pm, Abingdon United Football Club
A talk on the growing problem of space debris and how companies like Astroscale are developing technology to clean up Earth’s orbit.

Wednesday 18th February – An Eco-Adventure in the Andes
7:30pm, Abingdon Baptist Church
Author and adventurer Kate Rawles shares her experiences cycling 8,000 miles in the Andes and reflects on environmental threats facing the region.

Thursday 19th February – Original Music Showcase
7:30pm, The Loose Cannon Tap Room
Make Music Abingdon presents live performances from Cutwater, Scott Gordon Band and Ben Heaney.

Thursday 19th February – Malting and Brewing in Abingdon
7:45pm, The Northcourt Centre
Martin Buckland explores Abingdon’s brewing heritage in this talk for the Abingdon Area Archaeology and History Society.