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.