The Local Excellence Market enjoyed a sunny day on Abingdon Market Place. I made a short video from the County Hall roof, looking down on visitors browsing the stalls, meeting local makers and stopping for refreshments.

There was ice cream on offer from Tipple and Snow, made from Oxfordshire organic milk.

Visitors could also relax at tables outside the usual Market Place cafés.

The plant stall was popular as people tried to add some colour to their gardens.

Among those exhibiting was local artist Clare Cross, who had her new Abingdon Bag, decorated with local landmarks in silhouette.

Clare also had her ‘A–Z of Abingdon’ design. She has also produced an A–Z of Wallingford and is now working on the A–Z of Oxford.

Seeing Clare’s A–Z reminded me that I once put together my own A–Z of Abingdon on Instagram, using a different letter each day. Unfortunately Instagram insists on displaying the posts in reverse chronological order, so A–Z appears as a Z–A. You can still find it on my Instagram page if you don’t mind reading backwards through the alphabet https://www.instagram.com/abingdonblog/ and peculiarities of Instagram like being forced to sign in.

A Spring Craft Market took place this Saturday on Abingdon Market Place. The day was cool with spells of sunshine and the occasional shower, but there was a good turnout of visitors through the morning.

The Great British Mead Company were among the stallholders, offering what is considered the world’s oldest alcoholic drink. Sally Mears was talking to the Mead Company about a possible appearance at the Cakes and Ale Festival she is organising to mark St Edmund’s 850th Anniversary – on Saturday 16th May.

Abingdon’s own Recycloanalyst brought a mix of recycled artefacts, including steampunk lamps and jewellery.

Martin Wackenier of Devine Times Photography had a stall, though as he was away shooting a wedding, it was partly manned by his visiting brother – who was also selling a few of his own miniature garden creations, crafted from charity shop finds.

There were plenty of other stalls to browse.

A busker added some music during the afternoon.

Elsewhere in the town centre, a pothole repair crew have been out, and the large holes and ruts in the High Street have now been patched.

But Bath Street had sprung a leak.

There was a plant-based market with around 20 stalls arranged around the Market Place in Abingdon today. The event was organised by Kordia Events, which runs a travelling programme of vegan markets across the country, bringing together traders with plant-based foods, drinks and products. The market had previously visited Wallingford in February and is due to appear in Dorking tomorrow.

The stalls included several hot-food vendors (with queues at lunchtime), alongside drinks traders, cake stalls and deli-style stands offering food to take home.

One stall specialised in vegan cheezes.

Although the sky remained grey for most of the day, the weather stayed dry. It appeared to draw not only local residents but also visitors from outside Abingdon who had come specifically for the plant-based market.

Also to be seen on or near the Market Place were people flying a Palestinian flag, reflecting continuing concern about developments in the Middle East.

The Town Crier was there to announce the Local Excellence Market in town today.

The event usually comes around on the fifth Saturday, when there is one, with local, independent stalls, and sociable people. Around 25 stalls filled the square.

Visitors could buy everything from hot food and bread to cakes, pies, crafts and gifts from local producers. There were spells of sunshine, no rain, and little wind.

Alongside the market was the launch of the new What’s Happening Abingdon, Spring – Summer 2026, produced by the Abingdon Events Partnership, who also organise the market.