Category Archives: flowers

Abingdon Marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day (Poppies, Cornflowers, Dandelions)

1 Reply


At 12 noon today, residents of Abingdon gathered around the town’s war memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The ceremony brought together townspeople, veterans, local dignitaries, members of the Abingdon Fire Service, police, and Scouts.

The town crier began with a formal proclamation. He remembered the celebrations in 1945, when the United Kingdom and its allies celebrated the end of the war in Europe, and spoke of Abingdon’s commemoration as a tribute to those who gave so much for the cause of freedom.

A two-minute silence followed. The flag of the Royal British Legion was lowered in respect.

Wreaths of red poppies were then laid at the base of the memorial, joined by bunches of blue flowers, including some cornflowers. In France, the blue cornflower, known as the “Bleuet de France,” serves as the national symbol of remembrance, similar to the poppy in the UK.

Another flower, the dandelion, is the flower of military children. Some of them have shared their writings with the Royal British Legion in Abingdon. Here is one that Clare sent me:

In folklore, blowing dandelions is believed to carry your dreams, wishes and thoughts. This is why I feel it is a perfect flower for military children.

When I see a dandelion, I wish for peace for the world. I pluck it by the stem, hold it to my lips and blow. As the wind gushes past, I watch the fairies fly in different directions, carrying my wishes and thoughts into the sky. At this moment, I feel like my dad is right by my side. I want to reassure him that I am OK. I don’t want him to worry about me as he has an important job to do. I think about how much I love him and how much I miss him.

My mind wanders away from my own life and I start to think about what it would have been like for children in World War II. Would they have had the same hopes and wishes? I think they would but their main wish would probably have been that their dads survive the War. I never want this to be my main wish and that is why I am grateful that I am not a child of war.

The Easter Garden at St Helen’s Church

Leave a reply


The Easter Garden, in the West Porch of St Helen’s Church, first happened during the pandemic. With church services suspended and indoor gatherings restricted, the garden provided a symbol of hope for passers-by.

Now an annual tradition, it will be on display throughout this Holy Week, from 11am to 3pm. With Easter falling late in 2025, finding spring flowers was a challenge.

The garden features three simple wooden crosses representing the scene of Calvary, with a stone symbolising the tomb. On Easter Sunday, the stone will be removed, and a small tealight will be placed inside the tomb to signify the resurrection.

The display is filled with moss, greenery, and a variety of flowers. Pansies in shades of purple and yellow, pale blue forget-me-nots, along with small white blossoms, came from the garden of Sue, the creator. Despite the Monday Market shifting to summer bedding plants, Sue found pots of Calibrachoa; their tiny purple and white flowers trail at the front. She also found pots of late daffodils, and hopes they’ll last until Easter Sunday.

Council’s Floral Munificence (and open garden)

1 Reply

The town’s floral displays are a testament to the work of the town council. They maintain the colourful arrangements in the town centre and at town entry points, all of which require regular replanting and watering. (The district council cares for the blooms in Abbey Gardens.)

Roysse Court is overflowing with floral munificence.

A long line of planters with trailing plants decorate St Helen’s Wharf.

The stand out floral displays in Broad are up again this year

as are all the flowing baskets of leaves and blooms around Abingdon Market Place.

Along Stratton Way, one flower bed was the subject of a planning a application. The town council objected ‘this application concerns a public open space which the town council has maintained for the benefit of residents for 47 years.’

I cannot see any decision on this plan and it is 48 years now.


P.S. After taking a break last year, the garden of 53 Springfield Drive is once again open on 17th August 2014.

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now

3 Replies


Walking into the Abbey Gardens, first you see Magnolia

and then a line of trees in blossom.

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough
(from Shropshire Lad by A E Houseman)

The Abbey Grounds are transformed into a wonderland of white.

Trees, both near the Cattle Market Carpark and around Abbey House, are hung with blooms. The small leaves are just appearing.

Even yesterday’s strong winds haven’t marred this yet. The trees are at the height of a Spring celebration.