VE80 – MGs on the Market Place

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Abingdon marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE80) with a display of classic MG cars on the Market Place. Alongside the cars, an exhibition told the story of how the MG factory in Abingdon helped the war effort during World War II.

When the war began, MG stopped making cars. Instead, the factory’s workers turned their skills to wartime production. They repaired armoured vehicles and built Crusader tanks. They also made engine parts for Lancaster bombers, wing sections for Tempest fighter planes, and other aircraft parts—such as units for Albemarle aircraft and panels for Hawker Typhoons.

One of the MG cars on display, a Magnette, had a special passenger: an 80 year old, soft toy duck called Quackers. Quackers was made during the war by the car owner’s Uncle Harry, who was seriously wounded in Italy and lost the use of his right hand. As part of his recovery, he taught himself to knit with his left hand and made Quackers who has stayed with the family ever since.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Gabby Barody, visited the display and spoke with the organisers. It is likely to be her final event as Mayor, as the town council will elect a new Mayor tomorrow.

P.S. This is the display currently at the bottom of Stratton Way. Thanks to Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council.

This Weekend at the Royal British Legion, Abingdon: “Overlord” Model Railway Layout

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This weekend, visitors to the Royal British Legion in Abingdon can view the impressive “Overlord” model railway layout, created by Chris Mead. Transported from Wakefield, the layout is so large that it has to be displayed in two sections to fit the available space.

“Overlord” depicts a busy dockside scene, inspired by the wartime ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. Grey naval ships — landing craft and destroyers — are moored in resin water. On the quayside, military trains connect the docks to the inland supply routes, while tanks and troops prepare for embarkation.

The layout represents the build-up to Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Among the many details are a captured German U-boat repurposed by the Allies, the PLUTO pipeline (used to supply fuel across the Channel), and sections of the floating Mulberry harbours that were vital to the landings.

This video gives a tour first of the Royal British Legion club with bunting and poppies and then the railway layout:

Oxon Artweeks Begins with First Exhibition in New Community Space

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Oxfordshire Artweeks in the Abingdon area has started with a preview of an exhibition by Oxon Artmakers — a group of local artists presenting a diverse mix of paintings, drawings, and sculptures.

Their exhibition is the first use of the relocated community free space, now next door to Unit 24, which is currently undergoing refurbishment. The exhibition reflects the artists’ varied backgrounds and inspirations, from Oxfordshire landscapes to Ashmolean-inspired pieces. The artists share a tutor from Abingdon and Witney College. Their exhibition will be open from 10-18 May 2025.

For information about this or other exhibitions in Abingdon and beyond during artweeks see artweeks.org or pick up a leaflet at a venue.

Abingdon Marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day (Poppies, Cornflowers, Dandelions)

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At 12 noon today, residents of Abingdon gathered around the town’s war memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The ceremony brought together townspeople, veterans, local dignitaries, members of the Abingdon Fire Service, police, and Scouts.

The town crier began with a formal proclamation. He remembered the celebrations in 1945, when the United Kingdom and its allies celebrated the end of the war in Europe, and spoke of Abingdon’s commemoration as a tribute to those who gave so much for the cause of freedom.

A two-minute silence followed. The flag of the Royal British Legion was lowered in respect.

Wreaths of red poppies were then laid at the base of the memorial, joined by bunches of blue flowers, including some cornflowers. In France, the blue cornflower, known as the “Bleuet de France,” serves as the national symbol of remembrance, similar to the poppy in the UK.

Another flower, the dandelion, is the flower of military children. Some of them have shared their writings with the Royal British Legion in Abingdon. Here is one that Clare sent me:

In folklore, blowing dandelions is believed to carry your dreams, wishes and thoughts. This is why I feel it is a perfect flower for military children.

When I see a dandelion, I wish for peace for the world. I pluck it by the stem, hold it to my lips and blow. As the wind gushes past, I watch the fairies fly in different directions, carrying my wishes and thoughts into the sky. At this moment, I feel like my dad is right by my side. I want to reassure him that I am OK. I don’t want him to worry about me as he has an important job to do. I think about how much I love him and how much I miss him.

My mind wanders away from my own life and I start to think about what it would have been like for children in World War II. Would they have had the same hopes and wishes? I think they would but their main wish would probably have been that their dads survive the War. I never want this to be my main wish and that is why I am grateful that I am not a child of war.