Oddball Scooters and Mellow Tunes in Abingdon

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The Oddball Scooter Rally — now celebrating its 10th anniversary — is on this weekend at Abingdon Rugby Club. Every so often, the phut phut of a vintage motor scooter can be heard in West St Helen Street. Earlier, outside the Co-op, I overheard one rider say, “Not bad for 1958,” as he stood beside his machine.

It was a lovely, sunny afternoon. The petunias have filled out and cover the beds with colour.

The hanging baskets are at their peak — not yet straggly.

A regular street musician was playing in his mellow way. A few days ago, he was playing as four children danced in a line beside him — getting applause from their parents and the people at nearby tables. Today, he got quite a few coins from passers-by.

A Feast of Flowers and Clergy Changes at Abingdon-on-Thames Parish

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The front garden of St Helen’s Church Office is a joy to pass in any season. Its colourful, carefully tended flowers reflect the care and dedication found within the parish.

There are changes ahead for the clergy team. The Rev Dr Jennifer Brown, currently Associate Priest at St Helen’s, has been appointed Rector of Abingdon-on-Thames and will be licensed on Tuesday 21st October at 7 pm in St Helen’s Church.

The Rev Paul Smith will be retiring, with his final service on Wednesday 9th October at 7 pm in St Michael’s Church. We wish him the very best and are sorry to see him go.

Hiroshima Lantern Ceremony in Abingdon – 80 Years On

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On the evening of Wednesday 6th August, people gathered by the River Thames in Abingdon to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The event honoured the many thousands who died, those who gave their lives helping others, and all people currently living in places of conflict.

The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Councillor Rawda Jehanli, gave a moving speech in St Ethelwold’s Garden. Having visited Hiroshima herself, she spoke vividly about the exhibits in the Peace Museum, and urged those present to keep believing that peace is possible – even when it feels so far out of reach.

Poems were read aloud, followed by a shared silence of remembrance. Roger Baker then led a community affirmation of peace.

Lanterns — painted by children in Hiroshima — were carried down to St Helen’s Wharf.

They were lit.

And floated on the River Thames.

Their light served as a reminder of our shared humanity — and how fortunate we are to live in peace.

At the end of the evening, the lanterns were retrieved by canoe.

Summer Gas Works bring Drayton Road Delays

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Gas Mains replacement works near the Ock Bridge on Drayton Road are scheduled to run from 4th August 2025 for two weeks. Although the timing coincides with the Summer school holidays, when traffic is usually lighter, the introduction of temporary traffic lights is causing delays.

The impact has not been limited to Drayton Road. St Helen’s Wharf, Marcham Road, Ock Street, and surrounding routes are all seeing slower traffic than usual.

This is part of a wider programme of gas mains replacement work. Drayton Road is known to be one of the more sensitive locations for traffic disruption. Lets hope there is not an accident on the A34 that forces more traffic down that road.