Coco’s of Abingdon opened at Coxeter House at the start of September.  This cafe also has a soft play area for toddlers.


Work is supposed to start on strengthening the historic arches of Abingdon Bridge in October 2022. The tailback from Abingdon Bridge to the town centre causes knock-on problems.

Traffic has been busy over the last few days in Abingdon. Rush hours in West St Helen Street have been busy. That is usually caused by problems on Drayton Road.

As to the Lodge Hill Interchange, the County Council website says ‘Phase One currently consists of submitting a planning application in September 2022’. We should soon know more.

Abingdon Town Council has applied for 20 MPH limits in the residential areas of the town and a reduction of the ‘ring road’ to 30 MPH. Oxfordshire County Council is now consulting on the new limits between 31st August and 30th September at https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/abingdon_2030mph2022.

Many other areas in the county, the country, and the world are going through the same process to reduce severe road casualties and encourage cyclists and pedestrians by making it feel safer.

The 30 MPH limit was introduced in urban areas in March 1935, as reported above in the Birmingham Gazette of 19th March 1935. Thanks to the British Newspaper Archive for the copy.

There is a book of condolence in the Guildhall in Abingdon and another in the library.

The blog will be back after the Queen’s state funeral.

St. Michael’s Dog Cafe, which operates every Sunday morning from 11-12 in Park Road, caters for dog walkers and their pooches in Albert Park. The home-baked dog treats (using a recipe from the Battersea dogs’ home!) are free; tea, coffee, and cakes are sold to owners.

It was launched at the end of April and got off to a good start,

A costume presentation of music, song and spoken word, with early and modern instruments, will take place at The Unicorn Theatre on 15th May. The Shepherd’s Calendar follows the festivities of the rural year from winter through spring and summer to harvest-time, with the words of Thomas Hardy, John Clare and the Dorset poet William Barnes introducing songs and instrumental music.