Several Abingdon shop windows have bright Easter displays.

Helen and Douglas House is crammed with plush toys — rabbits, chicks, and ducks peeking out from every shelf — alongside “Happy Easter” signs and a few carrots and eggs.

Breckon & Breckon features entries to an Easter colouring competition. This is just a small sample of all the carefully coloured springtime scene with bunnies, eggs, and butterflies.

In the window of the Book Store, Peter Rabbit and his mother hold some eggs. There is also a nest with some speckled eggs.

The most featured decoration in Abingdon’s Easter shop windows in 2025 appears to be rabbits.

The Gathering Space opened on March 2nd, occupying the former Lounge Bar premises, which closed after its proprietors retired.

Situated next to The Clockwork Dragon, The Gathering Space is a board games café offering a dedicated venue for sociable games. The popularity of face-to-face gaming has been growing in recent years, with similar activities seen at Willows Shake and Preston Road Community Centre.

As well as board games, it hosts The Abingdon Sunday Social (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM), a  space to meet friends, family, or make new connections.

Craft groups also hold sessions here. For example, on April 17th, there’s an evening of spring wreath-making.

From May, a regular Whist group will begin there.

Photographer Martin Wackenier is using the former Added Ingredients shop as a pop-up gallery throughout April, showcasing and selling his photographs. A new business is expected to take over the space from May.

Martin began his photography journey with a Box Brownie at a young age, and that early camera — along with others from his collection — is part of the display.

Meanwhile, Jill Carver continues to host wine and cheese evenings from the premises.

Crossroad Grocery in Coxeters Yard, Abingdon, is now open seven days a week, right next door to the new fruit juice bar called Juice Corner. The grocery officially opened its doors on March 15, 2025, taking over the space once occupied by Seeneys Pet Supplies. I’m a bit late to the party with my visit,and this blog post.

The store’s got an impressive display of fresh fruit and veg. The shelves are packed with a range of goods and there is fresh bread and a meat counter.

Crossroad Grocery is run by Plamena and Biser, who also run Juice Corner. Some of their supplies come from Millets Farm.

If you’re in Abingdon, it’s worth visiting Coxeters Yard to check them out. Good luck to them.