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.

Abingdon Clubs and Societies Day 2026

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The 2026 Abingdon Clubs and Societies Day took place today from 10am to 2pm across the Guildhall, St Nicolas Church (above), the Market Place, and Unit 24, Bury Street (below). It offered clubs and societies a chance to share what they do with the public, recruit new members, and connect with one another to see how they might work together. It offered the public a chance to find many activities happening in Abingdon, a bit like a freshers day at a university.

Previously held every two or three years, this year’s event followed just one year after the last. Another change was the use of four venues rather than two, allowing everything to be kept at ground level. This made the stalls more spread out and easier for visitors to explore. With around 60 groups taking part, I’m afraid I didn’t have time to feature them all, but here are just a few.

Outside the Guildhall on the grass, the Abingdon Scottish Country Dance Club were demonstrating some of  their steps. They meet at the Northcourt Centre and I was told it not only keeps you fit but is great fun too, with live music at least once a month. Sessions begin all together, before beginners break off for separate dances, then everyone comes back together at the end.

There was also the chance to have a go at hitting a ball through a hoop on the lawn outside the Guildhall with the Thames Valley Croquet Club. They play every Monday and Friday at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club.

Abingdon Vale Cricket Club had a particularly successful season last year, with three of their four men’s teams winning promotion. Since launching in 2022, the Abingdon Vale Women’s Team has also gone from strength to strength. They run youth teams too, from juniors aged 5–8 upwards. They were on the Market Place along with Girl Guiding, Abingdon Town Amateur Boxing Club, Kingfisher Canoe Club, Freewheeling Cycle Club, One Plant Abingdon, and Abibinit litter picking.

The Abbey Meadow Lacemakers meet at Preston Road Community Centre on the third Tuesday of each month from 9.30am to 3.30pm. It’s a welcoming group not just for lacemakers but for other needlecrafts too, including crochet, knitting, cross-stitch, and beading.

Abingdon Drama Club were there, with their next production, Things I Know to be True, due to go on sale soon.

Abingdon Green Gym has been running for over twenty years, helping people keep fit while caring for the natural spaces around the town.

Events like this are a reminder of just how much is happening in Abingdon.

A Changing Canvas at the Library

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There are regularly changing displays in the library, ensuring there is always something new to see. Alongside recommended books selected by library staff, Abingdon Artists also feature a different artist each month.

This month’s featured artist is Valerie Dearlove, who describes herself as a self-taught “primitive” or “outsider” artist working in oil on canvas. Her style is direct and colurful, unconcerned with formal conventions. The painting currently on display in the library shows a woman breastfeeding.

Morrisons Daily to Replace Budgens at Peachcroft Shopping Centre

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Morrisons Daily is to replace Budgens at the Peachcroft Shopping Centre in Abingdon.

Half the shelves in the Peachcroft shop are already empty ahead of its closure on Sunday, April 12. The store will then undergo a refit before reopening as a Morrisons Daily on Thursday, April 23 – St George’s Day. The reopened shop will retain the existing staff.

Budgens stores are usually independently owned but supplied through a national wholesaler. In recent years, Budgens has been owned by Booker Group, which is part of Tesco. The Peachcroft Budgens has stocked Tesco-linked own-brand products, such as the Jack’s range.

Abingdon will soon have almost every major supermarket, either as a large store, neighbourhood shop or petrol station outlet. That includes Aldi (large), Asda (petrol station outlet), Co-op (two stores), Lidl (large), Marks & Spencer Food (opening soon), Morrisons (opening soon), Tesco (one large and two neighbourhood stores), and Waitrose (large). Sainsbury’s is the exception.