What’s On: Art, Craft, Theater, and Fireworks

Leave a reply


Discover the latest works from dozens of Abingdon Artists (including my wife) at the Abingdon Artists’ Autumn Exhibition (includes a range of original art and cards, and live demonstrations).

Browse the handmade crafts at the Abingdon Traditional Craft Fair in the Abbey Buildings (with 69 artisans).

There will be Ukrainian arts and crafts at St Ethelwold’s House.

Join the Abingdon Operatic Society for a performance of “Guys and Dolls” at the Amey Theatre.

There are three public firework displays being advertised around town. The Nags Head also has an event with a light show and fireworks on November 1st.

The clocks will go back in the UK on 27 October 2024 at 2am
Half Term is 28 October – 1 November.
Halloween is Thursday, 31 October 2024.

The Fall and Clearing of Leaves in Abingdon Town Centre

Leave a reply


The winds and rain on Sunday brought a lot of leaves down on the Market Place resulting in piles of wet leaves during the Abingdon Marathon and Monday Market. However, today, the town council staff cleared away the fallen leaves on the Market Place, which is their land.

There is a regular litter sweeper near the town centre, probably employed by the district council. Additional staff members have been deployed to assist with the sweeping and clearing operations with the extra task of fallen leaves.

There are not as many leaves underfoot at St Helen’s Wharf today as during the marathon on Sunday. But leaves continue to fall, and there are lots more to follow.

How Leaves Fall in Autumn
After the tree re-absorbs nutrients from its leaves, hormones cause a corky layer of cells, called the abscission layer, to form at the base of the leaf stem. This weakens the leaf’s connection to the tree. Eventually, a leaf falls due to its weight or helped by wind and rain and frost. Leaf fall helps trees save energy during the winter.

A Glimpse of Abingdon’s Lost Cross

2 Replies


The Market Cross that once stood in Abingdon’s marketplace was erected in the 1440s by the Fraternity of the Holy Cross. The cross was destroyed by Parliamentarian forces in 1644 for whom it would have been an afront. From 1640, there were acts of parliament  and a parliamentary Committee for the Demolition of Monuments of Superstition and Idolatry which included stain glass windows and Market Crosses.

The original appearance can be guessed from studying the Coventry cross (above), built between 1541 and 1545. The Coventry cross was modelled on its Abingdon counterpart.

The painting, located on the south end of Long Alley Almshouses, is a rough plaster artwork and, according to Agnes Baker, depicts the cross in its altered state, having undergone significant restoration in 1605. Perhaps some of the more risky statues were removed.

The details of the sculptures on the cross are sketchy.  It is believed it featured figures of kings and saints, together with shields, and vanes representing prominent citizens who contributed towards the cross. Behind the cross are Long Alley Almshouses, St Helens Church, a bridge, and other buildings, all of which were constructed with the help of the Guild of the Holy Cross.

Information from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_Cross
Agnes Baker (1963) Fifty-Three Articles (Chapter on Francis Little)
Julie Spraggon (2000) – Puritan Iconoclasm in England 1640-1660

Image of Coventry Cross from The Mirror (1824)

Abingdon Marathon 2024

Leave a reply

Despite the cancellation of the Great South Run in Portsmouth due to stormy weather, the 40th Abingdon Marathon went ahead at 9 am. The event began with light rain at Tilsley Park, and winds increased by the early afternoon but were not too strong.

Matthew Kunov, from Reading, had an early lead in the men’s race, at the Oxford Road roundabout, just a half-mile into the race. He went on to win by about 4 minutes.

Rebecca Piggot, the women’s race winner, with number 1129, can be seen at the front of this group.

The main pack followed behind and took a few minutes to pass. Among them was Jack Dugan, representing Abingdon A.C..

Harrison Read, wearing number 18, was the first Abingdon A.C. runner to finish in 10th place. He is seen here, running along St. Helen’s Wharf, approximately 4.5 miles into the race.

James Clayton, another Abingdon A.C. athlete got 39th place.

Simon Webb, of the Stragglers Running Club, is seen here with Oli Bowers, his guide runner, in East St. Helen Street.

Spectators lined the Market Place and other view points and cheered the runners on and made many smile.

There was a 6-hour time limit for the race. Abingdon A.C.’s Helen Nash crossed the finish line with over half an hour to spare.

990 runners completed the race within 6 hours, and one runner came in with 6 hours 9 minutes. The event’s organisation, as always, deserves high praise. Volunteers were enthusiastic, offering encouragement and instructions to runners throughout the course. They waited patiently for the last runner (the officials could allow an extra 15 minutes).

P.S. Let me know if I got anything wrong. Thankyou  to https://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-83087# for the results.