Uncertainty Over South Abingdon Foodbank as Closure Continues

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For the third week running, the food bank at Midget Close in South Abingdon has not opened for its usual Wednesday session. The North Abingdon Foodbank continues to operate as normal.

A notice in the South Centre’s windows (Preston Road Community Centre) says:

“We are sorry the South Centre has not been open recently. This has been due to circumstances beyond our control.

It has not been the team’s decision to close and we are working with others towards a solution.

Please be assured we very much care about our clients and hope to re-open very soon to continue to serve the community.”


The South Abingdon food bank has been running for around eight years, with a dedicated team of volunteers, and is a key part of the local support network. Demand in this area has long been high, making its closure puzzling.

There is no mention of the closure on the Foodbank website, which still lists the South Abingdon distribution point at Midget Close as Wednesdays, 12:30–2:00pm.

New Sign for the The White Horse

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The White Horse Public House on Ock Street is having a refurbishment, and as with all such refurbs they will be changing the sign.

Over the past twenty years, the sign has evolved from a running horse, to a white horse head silhouette, and then to the carved chalk horse on the hill over Uffington after which our district council is named. The current proposal shows a small rearing white horse icon with larger text.

The design is now going through the planning process, where the heritage officer has raised concerns about the balance of the sign. With other signage on the building already relying on ‘THE WHITE HORSE’ text, the officer suggests a more traditional hanging sign – with a larger image and more modest lettering – would better suit the pub. A local resident made the same point.

‘For Sale’ Sign on Solicitors on Ock Street

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There is a ‘For Sale’ sign outside Walton House on Ock Street – the former home of Franklins Solicitors, a familiar name in Abingdon.

The sign follows events in March, when a notice appeared on the door saying that the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) had closed the practice of Hunters Solicitors LLP. The closure of the firm and all its associated offices included the Abingdon solicitors.

Franklins’ story in the town goes back much further . The practice started as A.H. Franklin & Son and became Franklins. Between 2022 and 2023 it became part of Hunters.

The March notice with information to help clients and employees is on the Franklins website https://franklins-solicitors.co.uk/.

Abingdon Spring Head: Showers and Sunshine on the Thames

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The Abingdon Spring Head of the River took place today on the Thames in typical April weather – showers and sunshine. The earlier crews I saw, setting off a little after midday, began in a downpour,

while the later boats raced in bright sunshine. Earlier batches of boats had started from around 10 am, and later batches set off after 2 pm.

The event is an annual rowing time trial, with a staggered start, held in mid-April and organised by Abingdon Rowing Club. Crews from across the region (348 competitors from the 20 different clubs) raced against the clock over a 2km upstream course, starting near the Culham Cut and finishing at Wilsham Road. Abingdon Rowing Club members are too busy organising the event to row.

Boating and landing stages were shared between Abingdon Rowing Club, Army Rowing Club, and Abingdon Sailing Club, all neighbours on Wilsham Road. This was also where most spectators gathered, with a marquee serving burgers and drinks. Crews made their way downstream to the start, then raced back upstream to the finish, gathering near St Helen’s Wharf until the last crews had come in.

The event moved in 2025 from its traditional base at Rye Farm Meadow, which is often affected by flooding.