Oxfordshire Artweeks is here!

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This three-week festival celebrates visual arts across the county, with the final week showcasing artists in South Oxfordshire, from May 18th to 27th.

Abingdon has a lot of artistic talent on display this year with about a dozen exhibitions and studios. Find all the details on the website https://www.artweeks.org/, in art trail leaflets, or in the full festival magazine.

One exhibition space that is new to me is the 3rd floor of The Charter, Broad Street, Abingdon. The Charter Studios is organised by Makespace Oxford who look to use underused buildings. Some of the artists have studios there and are displaying their work.

The 3rd floor can be reached by lift or stairs and it is interesting to look around and see the variety of artwork.

There are also the results of some community projects, organised by Makespace Oxford, such as a postcard project.

Trip to Wembley – Three Generations

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Thanks to Pete for this …

Three generations set off from Abingdon: Wendy & Pete with son Christopher & nine-year-old grandson James.

Nine-year-old James was impressed by his first sight of the vast arena.

This picture was before the game so I can’t imagine what James looked like after the game.

Oxford United secured a thrilling victory against Bolton Wanderers, winning 2-0, marking their return to the second tier of the English Football League after a 25-year absence. The jubilant Oxford fans could be heard around Abingdon, after their return, shouting “Yell-ows!” and “We’re going up!”

Come on You Yellows!

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Topsport on Wootton Road will close early at noon this Saturday to allow Steve, the owner, and his family to cheer on Oxford United in the League One playoff final against Bolton at Wembley!

Steve apologises for any inconvenience caused. A lifelong Oxford United supporter, he remembers their 1986 Milk Cup victory (he still proudly sports the horned hat!). He’s seen the Yellows through thick and thin, from the old First Division’s highs to the Conference League’s lows, and back up to League One.

Due to centralised stock sales from the Oxford United shop at the Kassam this year, Topsport cannot get Oxford United merchandise like scarves, hats, and rosettes, and so there is not a lot of yellow in the window. But it does say after his apology about closing early, ‘Come on You Yellows!’

His colleague Tim has made one window display for the all-Manchester FA Cup Final, and the other for EURO 2024, where England compete.

Topsport will be 50 years old in November 2025.

Annual Mayor Making, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2024

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Before the annual Mayor Making, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council met at the Guildhall to do ‘boring things’ such as deciding committee places.

The Council, led by the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Gwyneth Lewis, paraded down to St Helen’s Church to be welcomed by the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.

The Morris Dancers then danced around the Mayor-elect, Councillor Gabby Barody,

Councillor Gwyneth Lewis made a short speech about her year as Mayor and gave a cheque of £2,060 for her charity, Reducing the Risk. She also gave Abingdon Mayor’s Awards to members of the Community,

Judy Hashman, the secretary and organiser of the Abingdon and District Volunteer Centre, should have been first, but sadly since accepting the award, Judy had died, and the award was collected by her son and family.

There was an award for Frank Jordan who helps make Abingdon Lock the friendliest on the River Thames, and has been volunteering there for twelve years.

There was an award for Roger Baker who is one of Oxfam’s longest serving volunteers with 55 years of loyal and dedicated service

DAWN (Didcot, Abingdon, Wantage Talking Newspaper) also got an award. Members have been providing a service for 31 years for the blind and partially sighted.

Councillor Gabby Barody was elected the new Mayor and received the chain of office and Mayoral robes.

She signed the declaration of office and made a short speech. The theme of her year will be inclusivity. Her charities will be One Planet Abingdon and The Abingdon Voluntary Services.

The new deputy Mayor is Councillor Rawda Jehanli.

The ceremony ended with closing prayers from the Mayor’s Chaplain. Deacon Selina Nisbett was chaplain last year, and will continue as part of a multifaith chaplaincy with four people, including Father Jamie – Roman Catholic, Dr Hamid Al-Shejni – Imam, Ms Pat Winslow – Humanist.

The Abbey Brass  played the National Anthem. The Mayor and their party then stopped near the back to greet councillors and guests. Light refreshments were served.