This evening, to celebrate how far the project has come and to build momentum for the year ahead, the chair of the Abingdon Abbey Buildings Project, Gregory Bensberg MBE, gave an update in the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM, and the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli. He thanked his predecessor, Bryan Brown, chairman from 2015–23, along with the trustees and supporters whose work has brought the project to this point.

Mrs Glasgow praised the Friends of Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust for the progress made, saying it was important to acknowledge how far the project has come. She highlighted the years of care, fundraising, and dedication invested in the Abbey Buildings, noting that the original founders of 1944 would be proud of what is being achieved 80 years on.

She described how, once restored, the Abbey Buildings will for the first time be fully accessible, open all year, and serve as a community hub and performance space at the heart of Abingdon. Speaking on behalf of His Majesty the King, she expressed thanks for the dedication in preserving such an important part of our heritage.

Reflecting on a recent Remembrance service, she said: “We are all called to serve – some in the military, and some to fight for our country. But even if we’re not called to fight for our country, we are called to fight for a country worth fighting for, and giving your time and talent to make something like this happen achieves that ambition for us and for Abingdon.”

Architects are already preparing the RIBA Stage 4 procurement documents, with tenders for the main repairs and upgrades due to go out in the New Year.

Gregory Bensberg outlined the works planned:

* New leaded windows in the Long Gallery (two had already been installed and authorised)

Improving access
* A platform lift between the Lower Hall and Upper Gallery
* A new staircase linking the same floors
* Level routes throughout the building
* Raised floor in the undercroft for level access
* New entrances connecting the undercroft to the theatre

A welcoming entrance
* A new glass-fronted foyer (into the undercroft and to the theatre)
* Accessible toilets
* An accessible changing area for the theatre

Improving the Unicorn Theatre
* Level floor (with a smaller front pit retained)
* Gradual raked seating with new theatre seats
* Improved fittings

Heating / environmental improvements
* Replacement of old heaters with hot – and cold – air ventilation in the theatre
* New heating across the buildings

Alongside the building works, the Trust is developing a community activity plan to ensure the restored buildings are at the heart of the Abingdon community.

Mr Bensberg said that the total project cost is £5.4 million. With the National Lottery Heritage Fund providing £4 million, the Trust needs to raise £1.4 million in match funding. Of this, £1.1 million has already been secured, leaving approximately £300,000 still to raise by the end of the year to allow the project to begin next summer and be ready by the summer of 2027.

To help reach the final target, the Trust was launching a Patrons Scheme:
* Platinum — £5,000 contribution
* Gold — £2,500 contribution
* Silver — £1,000 contribution
* Bronze — a smaller contribution (need to check if interested)

Platinum to Silver patrons will appear on a Patrons Board and be invited to special events.

People can support the project with donations of any size. For details or to donate, visit: abingdonabbeybuildings.co.uk.

The Abingdon Traditional Craft Fair returned to the Abbey Buildings this weekend. It is one of Abingdon’s autumn traditions.

The fair brings together makers, not resellers. There was a strong showing from the Oxfordshire Craft Guild and about a dozen local makers, including The Abingdon Honey Co.

and The Abingdon Distillery.

Some crafts people come from further away, such as Tony Morgan of Morgan Leather from Lancashire. He was in the under croft.

The real star, though, is the venue. The Craft Fair began over fifty years ago to raise funds for the Abbey Buildings and still helps support them.

Major refurbishment work is due to start soon, helped by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, other grants, and local donations. Because of this, next year’s fair will have to move elsewhere. Plans for the work were on display at the Abbey Buildings Trust stall.

The Town Crier was out announcing the fair. Behind him, one window showed a glimpse of the future.

Traditionally, the window openings have been covered with opaque canvas and not glass. One has now been replaced with new leaded glass, made to fit the uneven opening. Each opening is different. Though not double-glazed, the windows will make the building warmer and more weather-proof, part of the work to make the building more accessible and usable.

It is hoped that the work will be fully funded and approved by heritage experts and completed in time for the craft fair in 2027.

An announcement was made today at the Abbey Buildings in Abingdon of the award of a £4 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Pictured at the event are Felicity Dick, Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire; Gregory Bensberg MBE, Chair of the Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust; and Cllr Rawda Jehlani, Abingdon’s new Mayor, elected yesterday.

The grant will fund a three-year project to restore and modernise the 13th-century Grade I listed buildings – the Unicorn Theatre, Checker, Undercroft and Long Gallery – making them accessible and usable all year round. Plans include windows to fully weatherproof the Long Gallery, installing a lift, creating level floors, and enhancing facilities including a glass lobby, retractable seating, and disabled toilets in the Unicorn Theatre.

Gregory Bensberg said, ‘These buildings are part of Abingdon’s story and central to our community. Making sure that everyone can access these, all year round, is the reason this project is needed.’

The Abbey Buildings Trust, formed from the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society, has already raised over £1.2 million from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, the Wolfson Foundation, the Historic Houses Foundation, the Pilgrim Trust and the Oxfordshire Buildings Trust and will now launch a public appeal to complete the funding. Works are hoped to begin in summer 2025.

A planning application P24/V1831/FUL has been submitted for the Abbey Buildings enhancement project .

A proposed extension in front of the Unicorn Theatre will serve as a lobby, with accessible toilets for visitors and an accessible changing room for performers. The planning application also covers adding windows to the Long Gallery.

Also in the project but not requiring planning permission is a four-way platform lift between the Lower and Long Gallery, with access from the Undercroft (which could serve as a cafe).

The theatre’s floor will be aligned with the stage, level with the entrance. Retractable seating would be added.

All aspects of the design have been shared with Historic England who are reported to be enthusiastic about the changes so far but will require attention to detail.

The changes are particularly important for older audience members and those with disabilities, as they address access and accessible toilets.

Proposed leaded windows in the Long Gallery will follow 16th-century glazing practices, and could be removed without damage in future (openings are currently open to the elements and covered with blinds). Windows will help make the building easier to warm and use during the colder months.