Abingdon Remembers – Act of Remembrance 2026

2 Replies


The Abingdon-on-Thames Act of Remembrance began with a service at St Helen’s Church. The civic party left the Guildhall and followed the mace-bearer to the church. During the first hymn, the standards were taken to the front and placed near the altar.

As the service continued, people gathered along the High Street and around the war memorial. Fiona from Compassionate Café had brought a wreath on behalf of her organisation and the families who use the café some of whom have links with the armed services.

Members of Rotary in Abingdon handed out orders of service to the public. By 10:30, the triangle around the war memorial was filling up, and four soldiers took up positions around the memorial.

Abingdon Town Band started playing as the procession from the church approached. The procession was led by soldiers from nearby Dalton Barracks, whose main site is due to cease military operations and be vacated in 2031. Behind them came various cadet, scout and guide organisations.

Some brought wreaths to be presented at the war memorial during the ceremony.

Once everyone had arrived, Abingdon Town Band played solemn music before the crowd stood in silence. Revd Dr Jennifer Brown, the town rector, read prayers, followed by the exhortation from a member of the armed forces: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old…”

The Last Post was then played on the trumpet, followed by two minutes’ silence, after which organisations laid their wreaths at the memorial.

Speakers had been positioned along the High Street in the hope that people who could not see the ceremony could still hear it.

After the singing of the national anthem, people moved to the pavements to watch and cheer the procession.

The procession marched past County Hall and saluted the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Andrew Skinner, Felicity Dick DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, and the commanding officer. Other councillors and dignitaries also stood outside County Hall. The march-past was led by soldiers from Dalton Barracks,

followed by the many cadet and uniformed organisations.

At the war memorial, the wreaths are there for everyone to see, along with crosses with the names of Abingdon people who died in past conflicts. Throughout the ceremony, leaves fell from the trees on what was, a cool, dry morning.

2nd Abingdon Scouts Light Up the Sky at Long Furlong

3 Replies


The 2nd Abingdon Scouts Fireworks display took place at Long Furlong this evening. There was a good crowd when we arrived, and we found a spot towards the back. There wasn’t the usual long wait of anticipation. Within minutes, the crowd was counting down 10 to 1, and the first firework whizzed into the sky and exploded, lighting up the crowd.

For about fifteen minutes, we were amazed by the explosions overhead. Some fireworks corkscrewed up, others fanned out, while some burst high in the sky and sent trails in several directions like Red Arrows.

Gunpowder smoke clouded the sky. So, the display was made up not just by bright lights and bangs, but also by drifting smoke and trails.

As with most good fireworks displays, it ended with a shower of golden sparks, weeping away until darkness returned. Realising it was all over, the crowd cheered and began to make its way to the exit. We had been near the back when we arrived which meant we were among the first to leave.

Bury Street Artwork Proposals

3 Replies


Abingdon Town Council and the owners of Bury Street are asking people to comment on a proposed large mural for the new area planned for Bury Street. The changes to the area have already received planning permission and were discussed a year ago. Anyone who has agreed to receive emails from the Bury Street marketing people will have received an email about the project. Further information about the artworks and the artists can be seen in the window of 25 Bury Street.

There are two artworks: a mural showing St Helen’s Church and the River Thames, and a planted sculpture with seating. The sculpture is inspired by the Tree of Jesse in the Lady Chapel of St Helen’s Church.

The artwork and surrounding improvements are planned for Spring 2027.

If you want to comment on the proposals, you can complete the online survey at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pnIJGq6pikiCi6Hcx7LIr8lpMYKcOi5Chp6tLpzn9VBUNFY0TVI3SUpTWDY1WTVURlM2VUw0MURKUy4u&route=shorturl

The deadline for responses is 10 December 2026.

Community Facilities planned for Dunmore Road

Leave a reply


While walking around the land being developed north of Dunmore Road and Twelve Acre Drive, I saw posters advertising a planning application, P26/V3543/RM. It is the detail for some of the community facilities needed as part of the original outline planning permission, P17/V0050/O, granted in October 2017.

The original application was for up to 900 dwellings and 50 retirement homes. It also included a primary school, a community hub, a care home of up to 80 beds, a children’s nursery, a public house or restaurant, and retail and other services. There was also public open space, recreation areas, sports pitches and play areas.

The land for the primary school is set aside separately. A play area and some public open space have been provided, while sports pitches are being developed in the Twelve Acre Drive area.

The land for the remaining community facilities is part of the remaining field north of Dunmore Road. The current application covers about half of the community land. It is for: a day nursery, convenience store, cafe / retail unit and a community hub / centre. There are blue posters on  lampposts for a license application for a Sainsbury’s Local store.

Looking back at the facilities in the original plan, those not yet accounted for are a care home of up to 80 beds and a public house or restaurant.