There’s a lot happening around Abingdon over the next couple of weeks, from poetry to heritage, volunteering and a fan convention.

Thursday 17 September – Woodland Apothecary

6.00pm, Abingdon Library

Three founders of the Friends of Radley Large Wood – artist and poet Diana Bell, nature writer and poet Paul Gamble, and author and poet Sylvia Vetta – have curated Woodland, an anthology of prose, poetry and pictures celebrating this ancient woodland.

Tickets are £2, including a free welcome drink, from the library counter.

Thursday 17 September – MG Cars: Abingdon’s Legacy

7.45pm, Northcourt Centre, Northcourt Road

The Abingdon Area Archaeology and History Society welcomes Richard Martin to talk about MG Cars: Abingdon’s Legacy – From Small Beginnings in Oxfordshire to World-Wide Recognition.

The talk looks at the story of MG and its links with Abingdon, where the famous cars were manufactured for many years. Visitors are welcome, with a suggested donation of £4 for non-members.

Thursday 17 September – Make Music Abingdon

7.30pm to 10.00pm, Loose Cannon Taproom at Suffolk Way

Third Thursday of the month showcase of local music. This month features
Karvara
The Sepia Tone Folk Collective
Ady Davey

Saturday 19 September – A Day in the Life of the Anglo-Saxons

10.00am–4.00pm, Abingdon Museum

Meet the Anglo-Saxons at Abingdon Museum as part of the Heritage Open Days Festival.

The Hwitmearum, the Oxfordshire branch of Regia Anglorum, will bring the period to life with demonstrations, crafts and displays showing what everyday life was like for the Anglo-Saxons.

The event takes place under the Arcade of the Museum and is free to attend.

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September – Abingdon Heritage Weekend

‘From Agriculture to Atoms’ – Abingdon’s 2026 Heritage Festival tells the story of the working lives of the town’s people.

There will be ‘Abingdon at Work’ exhibitions at the Guildhall and Unit 25 in Bury Street, with real-life stories, photographs and films showing how employment and everyday life changed over time.

Around ten historic buildings will also be opening their doors.

Friday 25 September – Volunteer Recruitment Day

10.00am–2.00pm, Roysse Court, Bridge Street

Have you ever thought about volunteering, but wanted to know a little more before getting involved? The Volunteer Recruitment Day at Roysse Court is an opportunity to find out about volunteering opportunities and speak to organisations looking for people to get involved.

Sunday 27 September – Abbey Con 2026

White Horse Leisure Centre, Abingdon

Abbey Con is back in Abingdon for its third year. Trooper Events UK are bringing a family day featuring stars from TV and film, photo opportunities and lots of stalls to explore.

More events and details can be found in the individual event listings and on organisers’ websites.

There wasn’t that much on event-wise in August, but now September has arrived there is enough to put together a What’s On in Abingdon. This did not involve a lot or research. I have probably missed a lot.

Thursday 3 September – The Lost Notes
7.15pm, St Helen’s Church
The Lost Notes, a five-piece Folk/UK-Americana band from Moseley, Birmingham, bring their show to St Helen’s Church. The band, who have been featured on BBC Introducing, are known for their three-part vocal harmonies. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets £15.

Thursday 3 September – How Awkward: An Evening of Improvised Comedy
8pm, The Tipsy Mercer, High Street
The Awkward Actors bring their comedy show back to Abingdon every month. Every scenario is created on the spot from audience suggestions, so the show is different every time.  Tickets £5.

Saturday 5 September – Abingdon Healthfest
10am–2pm, Market Place
A chance to meet local groups working to improve health and wellbeing in Abingdon. There will be information, advice and activities from organisations including Healthy Abingdon, Abingdon Parkrun, the Green Gym, local cycling groups, Age UK Oxfordshire, Healthwatch Oxfordshire and others.

Saturday 5 September – Autumn Show
2–4pm, Northcourt Centre, Northcourt Road
The Abingdon Horticultural Society holds its Autumn Show, with flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit on display. Refreshments available. Admission £2.

Sunday 6 September – Abbey Brass & Acappella Harmonies Annual Concert
2pm, Trinity Church, Conduit Road
Enjoy an afternoon of music from two Abingdon ensembles – Abbey Brass Band and Acappella Harmonies. Doors open at 1.30pm.

Sunday 6 September – Piano Recital
3pm, St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Park Road
Acclaimed Austria-based concert pianist performs music by Bach, Schumann and Debussy. Huw has family links to Abingdon and has performed here previously. Tickets £15. Refreshments available.

Saturday 12 September – Stand Up in Abingdon
7pm, The Amey Theatre
WCB Comedy presents an evening of stand-up comedy headlined by Rory Bremner, known for his political satire and impressions. He is joined by Ross Smith and Tal Davies, with Justin Panks as MC.

Abingdon was given an unexpected display this evening when a procession of brightly lit Honda Goldwing motorcycles made its way through the town centre.  We first became aware of them when we heard a succession of motorcycle horns outside in West St Helen Street. Stepping outside, we saw the procession of brightly lit motorcycles.

They continued round the one way system before gathering at the Market Place.

There they were welcomed by the Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Andrew Skinner.

The riders are taking part in the ‘British Treffen‘, the annual international gathering of the Goldwing Owners Club of Great Britain, which is being held in Abingdon this weekend. The event is based at the rugby club, with 240 motorcycles and 400 riders and passengers.

‘Treffen’ is German for a gathering or meeting. Goldwing clubs across Europe hold their own Treffen events, with British riders travelling to European gatherings and overseas riders coming to the British Treffen which moves to a different location each year.

There will be another motorcycle parade in Abingdon on Saturday at around 5pm, for 20 minutes, when the overseas riders will parade through the town carrying European flags to show where they come from, and the British riders will follow the Union Jack.

But for tonight it was ‘Welcome to the Honda Goldwing Light Parade Abingdon 2026.’

Faces look out from the window of Abingdon Drama Club on Marcham Road.

They make you stop and wonder what plays they belong to. Soon, Big Brother could be joining them with his all-seeing eye.

Abingdon Drama Club will perform George Orwell’s 1984 at All Saints Church, Sutton Courtenay, from 28–31 October. The production will transform the church into the world of Big Brother.

Written just after the end of WWII in 1948, Orwell’s warning about the manipulation of truth still feels relevant: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”

With the Unicorn Theatre being revamped, Abingdon Drama Club has moved to an unusual but very fitting setting for 1984. Nearby in the churchyard lies Eric Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell.

His gravestone is simple and partly hidden by rose bushes. On top are coins and small tokens left by visitors from different countries. Other mementoes have been placed in a box behind the gravestone to keep it looking tidy.

Behind Blair’s grave is the slate-grey gravestone of David Astor. Following Blair’s wishes, Astor arranged for him to be buried in an English parish churchyard rather than anywhere grand.