There wasn’t that much on event-wise in August, but now September has arrived there is enough to put together a What’s On in Abingdon. This did not involve a lot or research. I have probably missed a lot.

Thursday 3 September – The Lost Notes
7.15pm, St Helen’s Church
The Lost Notes, a five-piece Folk/UK-Americana band from Moseley, Birmingham, bring their show to St Helen’s Church. The band, who have been featured on BBC Introducing, are known for their three-part vocal harmonies. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets £15.

Thursday 3 September – How Awkward: An Evening of Improvised Comedy
8pm, The Tipsy Mercer, High Street
The Awkward Actors bring their comedy show back to Abingdon every month. Every scenario is created on the spot from audience suggestions, so the show is different every time.  Tickets £5.

Saturday 5 September – Abingdon Healthfest
10am–2pm, Market Place
A chance to meet local groups working to improve health and wellbeing in Abingdon. There will be information, advice and activities from organisations including Healthy Abingdon, Abingdon Parkrun, the Green Gym, local cycling groups, Age UK Oxfordshire, Healthwatch Oxfordshire and others.

Saturday 5 September – Autumn Show
2–4pm, Northcourt Centre, Northcourt Road
The Abingdon Horticultural Society holds its Autumn Show, with flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit on display. Refreshments available. Admission £2.

Sunday 6 September – Abbey Brass & Acappella Harmonies Annual Concert
2pm, Trinity Church, Conduit Road
Enjoy an afternoon of music from two Abingdon ensembles – Abbey Brass Band and Acappella Harmonies. Doors open at 1.30pm.

Sunday 6 September – Piano Recital
3pm, St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Park Road
Acclaimed Austria-based concert pianist performs music by Bach, Schumann and Debussy. Huw has family links to Abingdon and has performed here previously. Tickets £15. Refreshments available.

Saturday 12 September – Stand Up in Abingdon
7pm, The Amey Theatre
WCB Comedy presents an evening of stand-up comedy headlined by Rory Bremner, known for his political satire and impressions. He is joined by Ross Smith and Tal Davies, with Justin Panks as MC.

Abingdon was given an unexpected display this evening when a procession of brightly lit Honda Goldwing motorcycles made its way through the town centre.  We first became aware of them when we heard a succession of motorcycle horns outside in West St Helen Street. Stepping outside, we saw the procession of brightly lit motorcycles.

They continued round the one way system before gathering at the Market Place.

There they were welcomed by the Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Andrew Skinner.

The riders are taking part in the ‘British Treffen‘, the annual international gathering of the Goldwing Owners Club of Great Britain, which is being held in Abingdon this weekend. The event is based at the rugby club, with 240 motorcycles and 400 riders and passengers.

‘Treffen’ is German for a gathering or meeting. Goldwing clubs across Europe hold their own Treffen events, with British riders travelling to European gatherings and overseas riders coming to the British Treffen which moves to a different location each year.

There will be another motorcycle parade in Abingdon on Saturday at around 5pm, for 20 minutes, when the overseas riders will parade through the town carrying European flags to show where they come from, and the British riders will follow the Union Jack.

But for tonight it was ‘Welcome to the Honda Goldwing Light Parade Abingdon 2026.’

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.

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.