A Swan Family and Lone Cygnet

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In Abingdon, a swan family has been growing up this year. They travel between the River Thames above Abingdon Weir and along the Mill Stream by the Abbey Meadows.

At first there were two adults with eight cygnets. Then the family became one adult with seven, and now just six remain, guarded by the lone parent.

One cygnet has gone its own way, and can often be seen from Wilsham Reach and St Helen’s Wharf.

But life, apart from the family, is not easy. A gang of adolescent swans now dominates that stretch of the Thames. In past years an adult ruled there with its family, chasing off rivals. This year the younger birds have taken charge, and the solitary cygnet is seen off whenever it ventures where they want to go, like the slipway where they like to preen.

Work Starts on West St Helen Street Building

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Work has begun to take down the end wall of the scaffolded building near the top of West St Helen Street.

The scaffold was erected in October 2024 after widening cracks led the district council’s Building Control team to act on safety grounds.

The situation has affected many people. Pedestrian access has been restricted, which has been particularly difficult for disabled and elderly people. It has also closed off rear access and parking for some residents and blocked the rear access to the Grapes pub (currently under refurbishment). Residents of the flats above moved out, and Pappy’s Jamaican restaurant was forced to vacate the building.

No timescale for completion has been announced, although Pappy’s put up a ‘Coming Soon’ banner a few weeks ago.

Appeal to Save Abingdon Royal British Legion Club

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The Abingdon Royal British Legion Club has launched a £20,000 crowdfunding campaign to avoid closure and secure its future. Run by volunteers, the club has supported veterans, service families and the wider community for decades but now faces rising costs and falling footfall. Funds will cover essential running costs, repairs and improvements.

While operating independently under licence from the Royal British Legion, the club does not receive financial support from the national charity. Funds raised locally through the annual Poppy Appeal are sent directly to the charity’s national operations.

Donations can be made directly via the crowdfunding page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-abingdon-royal-british-legion-club.

Sunshine and Smiles at Abingdon Healthfest

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Abingdon Market Place hosted a highly successful Healthfest, organised by Healthy Abingdon. The annual event brought together more than 20 local groups dedicated to improving health and wellbeing. Helped by some sunshine and an interactive programme, it drew a steady stream of visitors from 10 am to 2 pm.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli, toured the stalls and met organisers. Here she joins Dance Creative, who run ‘Dance for Life’, seated dance classes every Tuesday morning at Trinity Church’s Conduit Centre – a gentle, sociable way to stay active that is great fun.

Abingdon Surgery highlighted some of the many services they offer to their patients.

Abingdon Town Amateur Boxing Club invited young people to try their hand at the sport of boxing.

Abingdon Parkrun volunteers, fresh from that morning’s event with 455 participants, were on hand to explain how to get involved.

Visitors also enjoyed live music from Abingdon’s own ‘André Rieu,’ Ben Heaney. Ben runs age and dementia friendly Moving Music events in the area. His was one of many talented services promoted through Age UK Oxfordshire.

There were some exciting hands-on opportunities. SCAS (South Central Ambulance Service) had an ambulance and were teaching first aid, from practising CPR and the use of an AED (defibrillator), to applying a tourniquet on a nasty looking wound.

The Muse Art School invited people to have a go at making a papier-mâché pear, to give a flavour of their creative classes in Abingdon.

Alongside the demonstrations were stalls from The Abingdon Bridge (TAB), Reducing the Risk, Abingdon Green Gym, Active Communities, UCARE (urology cancer research), Friends of Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool, Oxfordshire Mind, Abingdon Good Neighbours, Healthwatch Oxfordshire, Dementia Friendly Abingdon, Kennington Memory Club, Mumby’s Live-in Care, Scottish Country Dancing, and Bellevie Care.