Healthy Abingdon — the group behind the annual HealthFest on the Market Place — have added a new section to their website all about Green Spaces in Abingdon. The aim is to encourage people to enjoy local parks and open areas to boost both physical and mental wellbeing.

Today I visited Boxhill Woods by the River Stert.

There are currently 13 green spaces featured on the site. Each one includes a map, directions, a short description, photos, and links to health walks that connect them. More spaces will be added soon.

The organisers say: “We still have more to do, but are giving you a chance to see what we’ve done so far and to share your comments or ideas to help us improve.”

The project is funded by Active Oxfordshire, who aim to make it easier for people to discover and enjoy local green areas.

You can explore the new pages at: https://www.healthyabingdon.org.uk/green-spaces

Abingdon Market Place hosted a highly successful Healthfest, organised by Healthy Abingdon. The annual event brought together more than 20 local groups dedicated to improving health and wellbeing. Helped by some sunshine and an interactive programme, it drew a steady stream of visitors from 10 am to 2 pm.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli, toured the stalls and met organisers. Here she joins Dance Creative, who run ‘Dance for Life’, seated dance classes every Tuesday morning at Trinity Church’s Conduit Centre – a gentle, sociable way to stay active that is great fun.

Abingdon Surgery highlighted some of the many services they offer to their patients.

Abingdon Town Amateur Boxing Club invited young people to try their hand at the sport of boxing.

Abingdon Parkrun volunteers, fresh from that morning’s event with 455 participants, were on hand to explain how to get involved.

Visitors also enjoyed live music from Abingdon’s own ‘André Rieu,’ Ben Heaney. Ben runs age and dementia friendly Moving Music events in the area. His was one of many talented services promoted through Age UK Oxfordshire.

There were some exciting hands-on opportunities. SCAS (South Central Ambulance Service) had an ambulance and were teaching first aid, from practising CPR and the use of an AED (defibrillator), to applying a tourniquet on a nasty looking wound.

The Muse Art School invited people to have a go at making a papier-mâché pear, to give a flavour of their creative classes in Abingdon.

Alongside the demonstrations were stalls from The Abingdon Bridge (TAB), Reducing the Risk, Abingdon Green Gym, Active Communities, UCARE (urology cancer research), Friends of Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool, Oxfordshire Mind, Abingdon Good Neighbours, Healthwatch Oxfordshire, Dementia Friendly Abingdon, Kennington Memory Club, Mumby’s Live-in Care, Scottish Country Dancing, and Bellevie Care.

There were about 18 stalls on Abingdon Market Place for the annual Healthfest organised by the charity Healthy Abingdon.

The Reducing the Risk charity was new at the Healthfest. They help people who are experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse. They offer support, advice, and resources. They were the Mayor’s charity last year and are working to make Abingdon a safer place for everyone.

Dance Creative offered a free dance class. They specialise in helping older people and those with health conditions. Dancing can be fun, healthy, and a great way to meet new people.

The South Central Ambulance Charity raises money to help the ambulance service. They also support volunteers called Community First Responders. These volunteers help people in emergencies until the ambulance arrives.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Rawda Jehanli, was talking to stall holders and was impressed by the Healthfest.

The Abingdon Good Neighbour Scheme helps people by visiting them, running errands, and listening. They have been operating since 2010 and won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2018

The Friends of the Open Air Pool wanted to know what people thought about the pool this year. Most people really liked it. They said the pool is warm and there are lots of activities to do. The only problem is that it’s not open during June and July – often the best part of summer. The Friends want the pool to stay open longer. The last day is Sunday 8th September. The last session is for dogs. It is already fully booked.