Abbey Hall Sale to Abbey Cinema

The future of the Abbey Cinema in Abingdon town centre has been secured with the cinema operators purchasing the freehold of Abbey Hall from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council.

The Town Council says the sale fulfils its commitment to retain a cinema in the town centre while saving the council the cost of maintaining the building. Maintenance costs had been estimated at between £2.5m and £3m.

For the Abbey Cinema company, led by Sue and Ian Wiper, the purchase brings certainty after operating on a series of short leases since opening in 2018. They have also restored and reopened and still run the Regal cinema in Evesham.

The change allows other projects to happen. Planned improvements include better disabled access, changes to separate the cinema from the Guildhall, improvements to the building’s appearance, and the creation of a second, smaller screen.

The cinema also hosts charity events, school projects, talks, and special screenings.

The Town Council says the deal will benefit the neighbouring Guildhall, with a new kitchen planned.

The sale involved complex legal arrangements due to conditions attached when the Town Council acquired the building from the district council, including covenants and protections covering future use of the site.

Abingdon Foodbank South Reopens

The foodbank at Preston Road Community Centre reopened yesterday much to the relief of local people who had been missing the friendly service and support from the team.

The team are reconnecting with support agencies to make the centre as accessible as they can for those in need of the service. They have also resumed a delivery service for those who are physically impaired and who welcome a call each week from the team.

There is work to be done to restore sources of funding and donations of food, but the team say they are up for the challenge. The photograph shows some of the volunteers involved in reopening the service.

To contact the centre please use enquiries@abingdonfoodbanksouth.org.uk

Something for Camera and Jigsaw Enthusiasts at Added Ingredients

At Added Ingredients, Jill continues to sell wines and food products, including these local honeys.

In the other half of the shop, Martin sells his photographs and has a growing range of second-hand cameras, lenses, and other photographic equipment. He says there is renewed interest in film cameras from people wanting to return to more authentic photography – pre-digital manipulation, and pre-AI.

Martin is also taking pre-orders for his Abingdon jigsaw puzzle.

Dancing alongside the Thames: Duncan Reaches Abingdon

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Starting at Hampton Court Palace on Sunday 10 May 2026, Duncan Bhaskaran Brown has danced the Thames Path from London to Abingdon-on-Thames, arriving in Abingdon Market Place at 7:20pm on Tuesday evening. He is attempting to set a new Guinness World Record for long-distance Morris dancing by completing a 200-mile charity challenge from London to Abingdon and back again. Duncan danced into the square accompanied by his wife and daughter.

The Town Crier welcomed him with a formal cry, and a large crowd gathered in the Market Place to cheer his arrival, including members of the Vale Islanders.

Also there were Armaleggan, the Oxfordshire Border Morris side, in their distinctive feathered hats, rag coats and painted faces.

You can support Duncan’s charity challenge at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/duncan-bhaskaranbrown
. Funds raised will support the Rowan Trust, Maidenhead Alzheimer’s Dementia Support, The Brain Tumour Charity, Thames Valley Adventure Playground, The Sherwood Foundation, and The Listening Post.