Author Archives: Backstreeter

This Weekend in Abingdon: Cinema Reopens, Record Breaking Morris Dance, Easter Fun & River Clean-Up

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After more than six months away, The Abbey Cinema returns to its main auditorium in the Abbey Hall from Friday 11th April 2025. Their final screening in The Old Magistrates Court took place on 6th April. Now that the RAAC roof repairs are complete, it will soon be back to comfy seats and candle-lit tables. The first film will be Snow White.

On Saturday 12th April, Duncan will be dancing in Abingdon Market Place from 5 in the morning, aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Morris dance — over 11 hours. He’ll be in full Morris dress and bells, supported by dancers from around the area, raising money for The Mayor’s Charities: One Planet Abingdon and the Abingdon & District Volunteer Centre.

Also on Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM, The Nasio Trust is hosting a family-friendly Easter event at the Abbey Buildings. Expect an egg hunt, egg and spoon races, and a game of ‘pin the tail on the bunny’.

Also on Saturday, 10 AM – 1 PM, a group of volunteers will be meeting at Abingdon Lock to help clean the River Thames and riverbank near Abingdon. Litter pickers, high-vis jackets, and gloves will be provided. If you’d like to help, you can just turn up on the day, or email events@abibinit.org for more details.

Bury Street Square: Proposed Kiosk and Café Redevelopment

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The town council planning committee is meeting tonight to review several proposals, including one for redeveloping a small square in Bury Street, the one with the trees and kiosks. This area was left untouched during the previous redevelopment of Bury Street.

The proposed plans would demolish one kiosk (currently Phone Box) and build two new kiosks. It would combine and extend units 19a (currently Khush’s Brow Boutique) and 20 (currently Timpson) to create a café with outdoor seating.

The larger tree (a Maple) would be kept, while the smaller tree (a Cherry) would be removed and replaced with planters.

The plans also include new benches, planters – one with a sculpture, new paving, and a mural on the high wall above the store being used for prom dresses.

On Broad Street, a featureless brick wall would become a community wall featuring art by local people.

For more information see: P25/V0236/FUL

Abingdon Candidates for May County Council Elections

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Candidates have been announced for the upcoming Oxfordshire County Council elections on 1st May 2025. Abingdon’s representation remains unchanged with three county councillors. However, due to new boundaries, the total number of councillors across Oxfordshire will increase from 63 to 69.

Alison Rooke, who served for many years as a county councillor and is currently Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, has retired. Nathan Ley and Neil Fawcett are both standing for re-election.

Conservative candidates are standing under the banner ‘Local Conservatives’ to distance themselves from the national party.

This is likely to be the final election for Oxfordshire County Council in its current form, due to proposed reorganisation of local government into unitary authorities. The County Council has suggested a single county-wide unitary authority to retain services such as social care and transport. Meanwhile, West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, and Vale of White Horse District Councils have proposed a joint alternative: a new ‘Ridgeway Council’. Final proposals are due by 28th November 2025, with the new council potentially in place by 2028.

Peace, Twinning and Music at St Ethelwold’s

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A peace ceremony was held today in St Ethelwold’s Garden beside the Peace Pole, marking the first anniversary of its installation. The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Gabby Barody, took part in the ceremony.

Among those attending were people from Ukraine and Afghanistan, along with civic leaders from Abingdon’s twin towns, here for a Mayor’s conference – a reminder of how town twinning, which grew after the Second World War, was intended to foster peace and understanding by building personal connections across borders.

Former Mayor Councillor Gwyneth Lewis spoke about the peace process in Northern Ireland and shared a photo of the Peace Bridge in Derry. There was also a talk by a speaker from The Parents Circle — a group that brings together Israelis and Palestinians for dialogue and reconciliation, and another group of ex combatants for peace. Roger Baker, from the Abingdon Peace group, led people in an affirmation of peace.

After the ceremony, there was music played on the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian harp.

Coffee, cakes, and circle dancing followed, led by women in Ukrainian costume.

It was a lovely sunny afternoon.