Medieval Burials and Roman Relics Under Abingdon Car Park

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A team of archaeologists from Thames Valley Archaeological Services have dug six trenches and uncovered Medieval and Roman artifacts, including pottery, human remains, and a wall linked to a bell tower from the former Abbey, during improvement works at Abingdon’s Cattle Market car park.

These walls and the cemetery site will be preserved and have led to a small delay. The archaeological ditches have been covered over and part of the car park has re-opened in the run up to Christmas. The project will now be completed in March 2025.

The car park project, funded by Thames Water, aims to enhance usability and sustainability through resurfacing, improved lighting, and a rain garden.

Councillor Mark Coleman, Vale of White Horse District Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Waste, said: ‘It’s exciting to discover more about the fascinating history of Abingdon and the Abbey.’

Thanks to the Thames Valley Archaeological Services for the first picture.

Is Taping a Banana to a Wall Art?

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Step into a certain local hair salon on Stert Street, and you’ll find more than just stylish haircuts. There’s a work of contemporary art: a banana, suspended mid-wall by a strip of duct tape.

The inspiration came from the world-famous duct-taped banana by Maurizio Cattelan, which sold for $6.24 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York last Wednesday.

While the Abingdon version might not get such a price tag, it’s priceless for sparking laughter and conversation among customers.

Abingdon’s Christmas Extravaganza – 2024

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The day began with the Bath Street Christmas Market, featuring crafts, charity stalls, foods, and gifts. Meanwhile, in the Bath Street Performing Area, the Abbey Brass Band added to the atmosphere by playing Christmas Carols.

On the Market Place stage, there were performances from the Abingdon Dance & Fitness Studio, the Marion Flanagan School of Irish Dance, the Amanda Alder Dance Academy, the Strawberry Fayre Majorettes, and the Abingdon Rock Choir.

The Community Shop at 24 Bury Street, run by Girlguiding Abingdon, provided a space for Christmas crafts.

At noon, the parade marched through Abingdon’s town centre led by the Oxford Caledonian Pipe & Drum Band. The parade also contained the other performing groups (mentioned above),

the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers,

The Mayor (Councillor Gabby Barody) and Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council,

and Father Christmas thanks to Abingdon Lions. He went on to sit in his grotto where there was a long queue to see him.

It was a mild and sometimes sunny day but Acreedo Tattoos provided a little snow with the help of a machine.

There was more snow and a reindeer at The Book Store. Next Saturday they have a book signing with Pam Ayres and her book ‘Doggedly Onward: A Life in Poems.’

As the sun set, the crowd watched FREE 4 ALL.

At some time before 6:00 PM the lights were switched-on. I wasn’t there for the actual switch on but got there soon after. I expect Duncan Brown, the MC, did the usual count down 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and everybody cheered.

FREE 4 ALL then played a lot of well know Christmas pop songs.

The Extravaganza was organised by the Abingdon Events Partnership.

St Ethelwold’s Garden – November 2024

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While some of us have put away the lawnmower for the year, the volunteers at St Ethelwold’s continue clearing and replanting the garden in late November.

The peace pole (added early in 2024) stands near the flooded River Thames, a symbol of tranquillity in turbulent times.

There is usually a robin or two to be heard in the garden and if you are lucky they can be seen as well.

Can you believe it? Roses still blooming in late November!

Less surprising are the dried seed heads kept as much for their beauty as to reseed next year, like this honesty.

Today and tomorrow two hundred trees (already allotted) are being given out from St Ethelwold’s Garden as part of a tree growing initiative. They include: Hazel, Hawthorn, Wild Cherry, Wayfaring Tree, Spindle, Birch, Crab Apple, French Maple, Guelder Rose, and possibly others.

This weekend, there will be wreath-making workshops (already booked up). These festive creations will incorporate aromatic dried oranges and limes. All proceeds from the workshop will go towards an accessible toilet at St Ethelwold’s. The profits from the monthly coffee and cake events during 2024 also supported this project. However, in December the proceeds will go to the Abingdon Food Bank and Crisis at Christmas to help those in need at Christmas.