Category Archives: Christmas

Looking for Peace at Christmas

8 Replies


The Abingdon Peace Group held their usual vigil by the war memorial early this Monday Morning. The vigils began at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and continues during the Gaza crisis.

The Gaza Crisis Appeal is prominent in the Oxfam window in Abingdon.

In Bethlehem, Christmas is muted this year. There are few tourists and pilgrims. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has made it difficult for people to travel and celebrate. In solidarity with Gaza, church leaders in Jerusalem and the Bethlehem city council have decided to cancel or scale back Christmas celebrations. This has left many businesses in Bethlehem struggling, as they rely on the holiday season for a large portion of their income.

(ref https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2023/1217/1422481-bethlehem-christmas/)

Church in Abingdon carol singers on the Market Place

Leave a reply


There was carol singing on Abingdon’s Market Place today from 10 am to noon. Over 100 people gathered to sing carols, led by Sally Mears. A tuba and percussion instruments provided accompaniment for the singers. There was also a crafting table with an Advent theme.

A pop-up nativity scene offered a photo opportunity for people to capture the Christmas spirit. Some of the Abingdon Street Pastors, who will be patrolling the streets tonight from 10:30 pm, were having their photo taken.

Abingdon Street Pastors is a volunteer-led charity that patrols the streets of Abingdon on Saturday nights to offer support and care to people having a night out. They work with the police and local businesses to create a safe and positive atmosphere in the town. They have been doing this since 2011.

The carols finished with We Wish you a Merry Christmas, which you can hear here.

Christmas Lights on Medlicott Drive and beyond

1 Reply


As Christmas approaches, Medlicott Drive is adorned with Christmas lights, and attracts many visitors. Half the houses in the road are transformed into a winter wonderland because of this annual tradition. Lights can also be seen in nearby Nash Drive. They are on the Tithe Farm & Ladygrove Estate in South Abingdon.

Thomas Medlicott was the Recorder of Abingdon from 1675 to 1686 and 1688 to 1689, a Governor of Christ’s Hospital, and the M.P in 1689. The surname used to be spelled Medleycott or Medlycott. There is a long entry about him in https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/abingdon_people/thomas-medlycott.

The Tithe Farm & Ladygrove Estate holds an annual advent window display, similar to the one held at the Workhouse Estate. This house on Bridges Close, adjacent to the community room used by the local community association, also features an impressive display. The room was full of people when I took this picture so they could have been meeting this evening.

Community Advent Calendar on the Workhouse Estate

1 Reply


The workhouse estate, built on the site of the Abingdon Union Workhouse, comprises Abbott Road, Theisiger Road and a section of Oxford Road. The day 1 window for the Workhouse Estate Community Advent Calendar is easy to see on Oxford Road in Abingdon.

More windows will appear as we get nearer to Christmas. Day 5 with Paddington Bear was a popular window.

The Advent Windows Campaign, as well as giving pleasure, supports Helen & Douglas House, the hospice. People who enjoy the windows can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/page/workhouse-est-abingdon-1699198961316.

The residents of the Workhouse Estate worked particularly closely together during the 2020 COVID pandemic when they came together to support each other.