Author Archives: Backstreeter

Hiroshima Lantern Ceremony in Abingdon – 80 Years On

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On the evening of Wednesday 6th August, people gathered by the River Thames in Abingdon to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The event honoured the many thousands who died, those who gave their lives helping others, and all people currently living in places of conflict.

The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Councillor Rawda Jehanli, gave a moving speech in St Ethelwold’s Garden. Having visited Hiroshima herself, she spoke vividly about the exhibits in the Peace Museum, and urged those present to keep believing that peace is possible – even when it feels so far out of reach.

Poems were read aloud, followed by a shared silence of remembrance. Roger Baker then led a community affirmation of peace.

Lanterns — painted by children in Hiroshima — were carried down to St Helen’s Wharf.

They were lit.

And floated on the River Thames.

Their light served as a reminder of our shared humanity — and how fortunate we are to live in peace.

At the end of the evening, the lanterns were retrieved by canoe.

Summer Gas Works bring Drayton Road Delays

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Gas Mains replacement works near the Ock Bridge on Drayton Road are scheduled to run from 4th August 2025 for two weeks. Although the timing coincides with the Summer school holidays, when traffic is usually lighter, the introduction of temporary traffic lights is causing delays.

The impact has not been limited to Drayton Road. St Helen’s Wharf, Marcham Road, Ock Street, and surrounding routes are all seeing slower traffic than usual.

This is part of a wider programme of gas mains replacement work. Drayton Road is known to be one of the more sensitive locations for traffic disruption. Lets hope there is not an accident on the A34 that forces more traffic down that road.

What’s On in Abingdon – August 2025

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August can be a quieter month for events as lots of people are away, but the board in the Abingdon Information Centre has a variety of events.

Here are two highlights and some other events:


VJ Day 80th Anniversary – 15th to 17th August Abingdon will mark 80 years since VJ Day — the end of World War II — with a series of commemorative and community events organised by the Abingdon Royal British Legion and supported by the Town Council.

Friday 15th August: A ceremony will take place at the war memorial at 12 noon, honouring the 56 local men and 47 Abingdon School alumni who lost their lives.

Saturday 16th August: “Party on the Pitch” at Abingdon Rugby Club will feature Aunt Sally, a rifle range, bun-throwing, food, drinks, and live music. Bring your own picnic (no dogs allowed). To enter the bun-throwing contest (teams of four), email: abingdonrblvevj@gmail.com.

That evening, Wildflower Whisky will perform country music at the Royal British Legion on Spring Road from 9pm.

Sunday 17th August: A VJ commemorative tea dance will take place at Preston Road Community Centre, 2:00–4:30pm.


West Side Story – 22nd & 23rd August DIY Theatre Co, a youth theatre group based in Sunningwell and East Oxford, will perform West Side Story at the Amey Theatre. This production brings together young performers from DIY with dancers from Grenoble, actors from Bonn, and a 36-piece orchestra including musicians from Leiden and Oxfordshire — reflecting Oxford’s twinning connections.

The musical — based on Romeo and Juliet — features music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, including songs like Maria, Somewhere, and I Feel Pretty.

Also in August:

Wednesday 6th August from 7pm Hiroshima Exhibition and Lantern Floating at St Ethelwolds House and St Helen’s Wharf.

Saturday 16th August from 7:30pm: The tribute band Strictly UB40 will be playing at the Northcourt Centre.

Sunday 17th August from 10am: There will be a community litter pick in Southern Town Park.


Sunday 17th August at 3pm: The Tessera Viol Consort will give a concert of early English music at St Michael’s Church, Park Road.

Tuesday 19th August from 7:00pm: Atom Society Talk – Dr Andrew Molyneux will give a talk titled “Granny’s had a Stroke; shall we call the Doctor?”, informing people about what can be done to treat a stroke.

Thursday 21st August from 7:30pm: A monthly live music event (3rd Thursday) at the Loose Cannon Tap Room — an evening of local bands hosted by Make Music Abingdon.

Saturday 23rd August from 2:30 to 4:30pm: Cream Tea at St Michael’s Church, Park Road.

The board also looks ahead to a few events already planned for September, including Heritage Open Day and the Breast Walk Ever in support of Against Breast Cancer.

Over the Weir – Despite the Signs

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This Sunday afternoon brought only a warm breeze under an overcast sky. Storm Floris is due tomorrow but is expected to affect mainly the North.

Setting out from Abingdon Bridge towards the lock, we hadn’t expected to cross the weir — diversion signs still warned it was closed. Music drifted from the Nags Head as we followed the Thames. A longboat selling Hasbeen Handbags was moored beside Happy Heron, a Viking cruiser up for sale.

Contractors were repairing two sections of riverbank — one unstable, the other worn into an inlet by flood flow. Several swimmers, a couple of generations older than those seen a month ago, were steadily crossing the river and back.

At the lock, three rowing boats from the Weyfarers Rowing Club in Weybridge passed through with a long way to go.

Further on, quite a few people were crossing the weir walkway. The warning boards had been pushed aside again. I don’t know how unstable the walkway is, but the Environment Agency, who put the diversion in place, clearly didn’t think it safe. (The fish pass has become overgrown since its closure).

Beyond it, the mill stream was clogged with reeds and bent trees. Large rhubarb-like leaves grow along the banks. It seems to be getting more overgrown year by year. Carry on like this, and the district council won’t need to repair the wooden bridge (featured on the blog a few weeks ago) — we’ll be able to walk across on dry land.