Category Archives: Events

Inspired Setting for Abingdon Drama Club’s 1984

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Faces look out from the window of Abingdon Drama Club on Marcham Road.

They make you stop and wonder what plays they belong to. Soon, Big Brother could be joining them with his all-seeing eye.

Abingdon Drama Club will perform George Orwell’s 1984 at All Saints Church, Sutton Courtenay, from 28–31 October. The production will transform the church into the world of Big Brother.

Written just after the end of WWII in 1948, Orwell’s warning about the manipulation of truth still feels relevant: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”

With the Unicorn Theatre being revamped, Abingdon Drama Club has moved to an unusual but very fitting setting for 1984. Nearby in the churchyard lies Eric Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell.

His gravestone is simple and partly hidden by rose bushes. On top are coins and small tokens left by visitors from different countries. Other mementoes have been placed in a box behind the gravestone to keep it looking tidy.

Behind Blair’s grave is the slate-grey gravestone of David Astor. Following Blair’s wishes, Astor arranged for him to be buried in an English parish churchyard rather than anywhere grand.

A Few Things to Do in Abingdon this August

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Looking at the town’s noticeboards for things to do in August? There is not much in the way of drama or concerts since it is the summer holidays. But here are a few things I spotted.

Steve Moodey is once again opening his garden to visitors at 53 Springfield Drive, Abingdon, OX14 1JF. To see his collection of tropical and rare plants, go between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, 22nd August. Entry is by donation to charity, with a plant sale and refreshments also available.

Abingdon Baptist Church is holding a fun morning on Saturday, 15th August.

Bridge House sometimes holds events to invite the community in, and there’s one on 14th August. There will be music, stalls and entertainment from a circus act.

Make Music Abingdon has acts lined up at the Loose Cannon Taproom on 20th August.

This isn’t actually an event, but a chance to submit your pictures of the wild spaces around Abingsdon and see them in an exhibition at Abingdon County Hall Museum.

But with temperatures rising again this week, Cakes at St Eths has been put back from 12th August to 1st September.

The Oddballs are Back in Abingdon

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Seeing The Mystery Machine parked outside the Co-op made me realise that the Oddballs are back in Abingdon.
The Oddball rally is held every August at Abingdon Rugby Club, attracting lots of people with scooters, motorbikes and campervans. Many camp at the site over the long weekend, which runs from Thursday.
Each year has a different theme, and this year it was Day of the Dead, the Mexican festival celebrating and remembering those who have died.
There is usually plenty of music, with live ska, punk and alternative bands performing in the music tent. The rally also raises money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Paint Abingdon Pink 2026

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Abingdon’s Market Place was full of colour today for the annual ‘Paint Abingdon Pink’ event, organised in support of the Abingdon-based charity Against Breast Cancer. First launched in 2009, this event raises both awareness and funds for breast cancer research. This year’s event had a lively atmosphere, colourful stalls, a full programme of entertainment and lots of memorable characters,

starting with the Chair of Trustees of Against Breast Cancer – recognisable in his pink hat and bow tie, with a clip board to make sure things happened in time and order.

The Grim Dark Gaming Society, based at Paws and Play, also helped promote and organise the event. Here is one of their members with the bubble machine.

The first act I saw was belly dancing.

One vehicle caught my eye. At first glance I thought it was a police car for children to explore, but it turned out to be a look a like car from the film ‘Hot Fuzz’, with look a like actors.

There were also visits from other galaxies, like Darth Vader

and Chewbacca, seen here with two earthlings collecting money in pink buckets.

There were Mr Hemmings’ Traditional Abingdon Morris Dancers who have their day of dance around the town centre next Saturday.

Ashnah Tribal Dancers brought colour and energy with their performance.

Local favourites, The Undercovers, were on stage for an hour with a set of cover songs.

But the day was about much more than fun and entertainment. Fiona, who runs the Compassionate Café, read a series of poems reflecting the experiences of women living with breast cancer, those who had survived, and those who had not. It was a reminder of why everyone had come together: to support a charity dedicated to funding research that will help more people survive in the future.