What’s on in Abingdon: The Lost Notes, How Awkward, Rory Bremner and More

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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.

Abbey Millstream Through the Year: August 2026

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Alongside the Millstream, the Thames Path runs for a short stretch. The Millstream path is also part of National Cycle Network Route 5 and is well used by local joggers, walkers and people out exercising their dogs. So, despite being a backwater, the Millstream is beside a busy route.

As I walked along the Millstream today, there didn’t seem to be quite as much wildlife as apparent as in July. There were, however, quite a few young moorhens.

Some of the young ducks could be adult-sized now, making them difficult to distinguish from female mallards. These two could be youngsters, but I am not sure.

There are plenty of ducks. They tend to wander around in smaller groups, but come together when someone arrives with food.

It was the last day of August, and I walked along the Millstream early in the morning. The swimming pool was open and there were people making the most of the early Bank Holiday. There was early morning sunshine, lighting up the trees and the water.

The early light looked particularly good filtered through the tree leaves.

There were still some flowers to be seen, although the display was less spectacular than in the earlier months. The season is changing, with burrs and other seed-bearing fruits noticeable.

I walked along the Millstream early in the day and returned later as the sun was setting. August is over and there are only four months left of the year.

The schools will soon be back, bringing a change in pace to Abingdon and its traffic. For some, this will mean taking the next big step in life: starting a new school, college, university, job or something entirely different.

And the Millstream carries on flowing as slowly as ever – even more slowly with the build up of reeds and fallen trees.

Abingdon United celebrates 80 years

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Abingdon United Football Club celebrated its 80th anniversary today, bringing together football, music, memorabilia and family entertainment at the Northcourt ground.

The club’s story began in 1946, after the end of the Second World War, when a group of ex-servicemen established a new football club in Abingdon. Abingdon United entered the North Berks League Division One for the 1946–47 season.

On the pitch, Abingdon United Ladies were in action against Keynsham Town in an match which United won 3–2.

There was a funfair and food van in one corner of the ground and an inflatable room inside.

Inside the clubhouse, an exhibition brought together old Abingdon United memorabilia, newspaper cuttings and football programmes.

Music was also part of the celebrations, with local band Hazey Rock playing in the Northcourt Bar.

Rain and Puddles

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We had heavy rain today. We had 10.75 mm of rain, and about half of that fell between 1:30 and 1:45 pm. That may not sound remarkable until you consider that we had just 0.2 mm throughout the whole of July.

The Local Excellence Market went ahead. But the Goldwing Treffen club didn’t go ahead with the 5 pm multinational ride-through Abingdon. There were still some people who turned up to watch, and they cheered when a delivery motorcycle went past.

Otherwise, we got something unheard-of for this summer: puddles.