A Few Things to Do in Abingdon this August

Leave a reply


Looking at the town’s noticeboards for things to do in August? There is not much in the way of drama or concerts since it is the summer holidays. But here are a few things I spotted.

Steve Moodey is once again opening his garden to visitors at 53 Springfield Drive, Abingdon, OX14 1JF. To see his collection of tropical and rare plants, go between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, 22nd August. Entry is by donation to charity, with a plant sale and refreshments also available.

Abingdon Baptist Church is holding a fun morning on Saturday, 15th August.

Bridge House sometimes holds events to invite the community in, and there’s one on 14th August. There will be music, stalls and entertainment from a circus act.

Make Music Abingdon has acts lined up at the Loose Cannon Taproom on 20th August.

This isn’t actually an event, but a chance to submit your pictures of the wild spaces around Abingsdon and see them in an exhibition at Abingdon County Hall Museum.

But with temperatures rising again this week, Cakes at St Eths has been put back from 12th August to 1st September.

Gongoozling at Abingdon Lock

Leave a reply


There are not so many boats passing along the River Thames at Abingdon Lock this summer, and I had to wait fifteen minutes before I saw one go through Abingdon Lock at around 4 pm. The lock keeper said there had been about 70 boats through today, about half the normal number for a summers day.

On the River Thames there are ‘prolonged dry weather restrictions’ at locks upstream and downstream of Abingdon (from St Johns Lock to Osney Lock and from Culham Lock to Goring Lock). Boat movements through these locks are restricted to help conserve water, with one upstream and one downstream passage every 30 minutes. The locks also close overnight from 6pm to 9.30am; so boaters need to plan their journeys accordingly and are also advised to check conditions such as sand bars. These restrictions must put some boaters off.

When a boat arrived it went directly into the lock. The water poured into the lock and the boat rose. The lock keeper gave the crew some information about places to moor and it set off.

The boat was called ‘Tranquility’, one of three long boats from River Holidays at Sutton Courtenay, a local family business which also has a campsite.

So, despite the prolonged dry weather and restrictions, there are boats making their way through Abingdon Lock. You just have to wait a little longer to see one if you are a gongoozler.

The Oddballs are Back in Abingdon

Leave a reply


Seeing The Mystery Machine parked outside the Co-op made me realise that the Oddballs are back in Abingdon.
The Oddball rally is held every August at Abingdon Rugby Club, attracting lots of people with scooters, motorbikes and campervans. Many camp at the site over the long weekend, which runs from Thursday.
Each year has a different theme, and this year it was Day of the Dead, the Mexican festival celebrating and remembering those who have died.
There is usually plenty of music, with live ska, punk and alternative bands performing in the music tent. The rally also raises money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Heel!

1 Reply


There’s another imaginative window display at Oxfam in Stert Street, Abingdon. A lady appears to be taking a pack of dogs for a walk, but at the end of the colourful leads are an assortment of high-heeled shoes. When the display is dismantled, the second-hand shoes will go on sale in the shop alongside the many other items donated to Oxfam. The window also features some sole-searching quotes, such as ‘I have enough shoes. Said no one ever’ and ‘Life is short. Buy the shoes.’