From 10:30am, friends from the Lighthouse Church, who meet at the Guildhall, filled the Marketplace with music. At 11:00am, they were joined by a group from Christchurch.

Meanwhile, in the Roysse Room, Eben Lark had transformed the space with vintage finds. Frank — pictured here with his daughter, who runs Eben Lark — summed up the morning: “It’s all happening in Abingdon.”

Adding to the mix, the Oddballs Rally continues over at the Rugby Club, with bikes parked on the Market Place and others roaring by the County Hall.

August can be a quieter month for events as lots of people are away, but the board in the Abingdon Information Centre has a variety of events.

Here are two highlights and some other events:

VJ Day 80th Anniversary – 15th to 17th August Abingdon will mark 80 years since VJ Day — the end of World War II — with a series of commemorative and community events organised by the Abingdon Royal British Legion and supported by the Town Council.

Friday 15th August: A ceremony will take place at the war memorial at 12 noon, honouring the 56 local men and 47 Abingdon School alumni who lost their lives.

Saturday 16th August: “Party on the Pitch” at Abingdon Rugby Club will feature Aunt Sally, a rifle range, bun-throwing, food, drinks, and live music. Bring your own picnic (no dogs allowed). To enter the bun-throwing contest (teams of four), email: abingdonrblvevj@gmail.com.

That evening, Wildflower Whisky will perform country music at the Royal British Legion on Spring Road from 9pm.

Sunday 17th August: A VJ commemorative tea dance will take place at Preston Road Community Centre, 2:00–4:30pm.

West Side Story – 22nd & 23rd August DIY Theatre Co, a youth theatre group based in Sunningwell and East Oxford, will perform West Side Story at the Amey Theatre. This production brings together young performers from DIY with dancers from Grenoble, actors from Bonn, and a 36-piece orchestra including musicians from Leiden and Oxfordshire — reflecting Oxford’s twinning connections.

The musical — based on Romeo and Juliet — features music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, including songs like Maria, Somewhere, and I Feel Pretty.

Also in August:

Wednesday 6th August from 7pm Hiroshima Exhibition and Lantern Floating at St Ethelwolds House and St Helen’s Wharf.

Saturday 16th August from 7:30pm: The tribute band Strictly UB40 will be playing at the Northcourt Centre.

Sunday 17th August from 10am: There will be a community litter pick in Southern Town Park.

Sunday 17th August at 3pm: The Tessera Viol Consort will give a concert of early English music at St Michael’s Church, Park Road.

Tuesday 19th August from 7:00pm: Atom Society Talk – Dr Andrew Molyneux will give a talk titled “Granny’s had a Stroke; shall we call the Doctor?”, informing people about what can be done to treat a stroke.

Thursday 21st August from 7:30pm: A monthly live music event (3rd Thursday) at the Loose Cannon Tap Room — an evening of local bands hosted by Make Music Abingdon.

Saturday 23rd August from 2:30 to 4:30pm: Cream Tea at St Michael’s Church, Park Road.

The board also looks ahead to a few events already planned for September, including Heritage Open Day and the Breast Walk Ever in support of Against Breast Cancer.

It began with rain — a rare sight and, while welcome for the thirsty grass, not ideal for the morning of Fun in the Park. Thankfully, by lunchtime the skies cleared and warmer weather arrived just in time for a picnic held by members of Host Abingdon. They are seen behind Deputy Mayor, Councillor Andrew Skinner.

Throughout the day, between showers and sunny spells, entertainment continued on the stage. The Project Band performed during the lunchtime lull in the rain.

Food stalls, drink vendors, and a variety of community groups were out in force — including the Abingdon Town Amateur Boxing Club, who had a stall to promote their work.

Fun in the Park concluded mid-afternoon, making way for Music in the Park, a ticketed event (free for under 18s, £12.50 for adults). A light drizzle returned just as Country Bound took to the stage.

Councillor Neil Fawcett introduced the acts. He described The Undercovers — who played two lively and well-known sets — as ‘one of the best things to come out of Abingdon.’

The crowd agreed, dancing and singing along. Lead singer George gave a shout-out to Your Life Your Choice, where she volunteers, and several members of that group were among the audience.

Bringing the evening to a close were New Jovi, a Bon Jovi tribute band who gave it everything — from Livin’ on a Prayer to You Give Love a Bad Name.

Here’s a “What’s On” based on posters seen in town:

Tuesday 24th June 2025: With species vanishing at alarming rates, can Christianity help?

Meet Abingdon’s very own super-star children’s author and illustrator, Rob Jones, known for his brilliantly quirky books.

Wednesday 25th June 2025: Beavers — once extinct in Britain — are now making a comeback thanks to rewilding efforts.

There will also a town council meeting on Wednesday at the Guildhall at 7 pm.  The town council will discuss writing to the Environment Agency to ask when they will do something about the weir walkway + normal council business.

Saturday 28th June 2025: Tea and Scones in a beautiful setting

Celebrate six decades of music-making with a special performance from the Abingdon Town Band.

Celebrate love, inclusion, and community spirit.

Also browse local produce and crafts from independent traders in the town centre at the Summer Craft Local Excellence Market on Saturday 28th June.