The mural in the Stratton Way underpass — depicting episodes from Abingdon’s history — has been defaced with black spray paint for some time. Today, the underpass was closed off for cleaning.

This evening the black spray paint had been removed. The mural was re-painted in 2007 with an anti-vandal coating, which helps make graffiti easier to clean off without damaging the artwork beneath.

Thanks are due to the Town Council for arranging the removal. One curiosity remains: a patchy white accretion, like hard foam, still clings to parts of the mural. It’s also been there for a while — possibly the result of vandalism or another phenomena.

For now, though, the figures of Abingdon’s past are again clearly visible.

The Town Crier had been out promoting Artweek and stopped by St Nicolas Church to see the art and jewellery on show by the Abbey Group.

Inside the church, artworks were arranged at the back, over some of the pews, and round the pulpit.

At the far end of the church, a scaffold tower was in place as the lights were being replaced with energy-efficient ones. More scaffolding surrounded the Blacknall’s tomb, which was built for John Blacknall and his wife, who died ‘at one instant of time’ in August 1625 — four hundred years ago.

Two restorers were at work, repairing missing plaster and touching up the paint round the monument. A special service is planned in August to mark the 400th anniversary.

Oxfordshire Artweeks in the Abingdon area has started with a preview of an exhibition by Oxon Artmakers — a group of local artists presenting a diverse mix of paintings, drawings, and sculptures.

Their exhibition is the first use of the relocated community free space, now next door to Unit 24, which is currently undergoing refurbishment. The exhibition reflects the artists’ varied backgrounds and inspirations, from Oxfordshire landscapes to Ashmolean-inspired pieces. The artists share a tutor from Abingdon and Witney College. Their exhibition will be open from 10-18 May 2025.

For information about this or other exhibitions in Abingdon and beyond during artweeks see artweeks.org or pick up a leaflet at a venue.

The Abingdon Artists Spring Exhibition shows work from around 50 artists. Co-chair Jonathan Leach praised the impressive breadth and depth of work on display. The exhibition runs from Monday, 10th March, to Saturday, 15th March, at St Helen’s Church.

Cllr. Alison Rooke, Honorary President of Abingdon Artists and Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, attended the exhibition and enjoyed viewing the artwork.

Marion Owen is pictured with three of her paintings, among the many pieces on display. Each artist can submit up to three works.

In addition to artwork and cards, visitors can enter a raffle to win Spring Fever, a Chinese ink and watercolour painting by Tricia Wormald. Depicting a rooster — a symbol of prosperity and bravery in Chinese culture — the piece is inspired by the artist’s two decades of keeping chickens.