Abingdon Remembers: Poppy Appeal 2025

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This year’s Poppy Appeal was highlighted on the Market Place this morning with a table selling poppies, and two vintage military vehicles.

One was an ex-US military ambulance, the other a jeep with a folding motorcycle on the front and a spray of poppies in the gun turret.

There will be a Poppy Ball at the Hilton Garden Inn on Friday 7th November, organised by Clare Oldfield from Abingdon Royal British Legion Club. Re-enactors from the Redline Home Guard will greet guests, with music from Abingdon’s own 20-piece SwingTime orchestra and floral displays by The Abingdon Flower Club.

Tickets (£10) are available from the Royal British Legion Club on Spring Road, the Hilton Garden Inn, Frend the Jeweller, and The Bookstore.

Clare said,  “This is my 10th year as Abingdon’s Poppy Appeal organiser, and I’m determined to make it count. Abingdon has always taken the poppy to its heart, and this ball will not only raise funds for this amazing charity but also celebrate all that’s good in the town.”

Two Pubs Reopen

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The Broad Face in Abingdon, which closed in August while seeking new management, has now reopened. A new team took over and the pub has been open again since Monday — with live music this evening.

The Old Anchor Inn also closed for a few days but is open again tonight.

Banners Out for a Busy Week in Abingdon

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Abingdon’s noticeboards and railings are filling up as we head towards November. There are plenty of big events over the next couple of weeks. I have just space for the next week, and will cover more separately in a few days’ time.

Saturday 25 October – Poppy Appeal Launch
This year’s Poppy Appeal will be launched on the Market Place with stalls and military vehicles.

Now Open – Christmas Card Shop
The Christmas Card shop has opened in St Nicolas Church, raising funds for a range of charities.

Tuesday 28 October – Agnostics Anonymous Discussion
The next Agnostics Anonymous Open Discussion asks: “Why do Christians bother with the Old Testament?” It takes place at the Parish Centre, opposite the main door of St Helen’s Church.

Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November – Hello, Dolly!
Abingdon Operatic Society present the musical Hello, Dolly! at the Amey Theatre. Their big productions are always popular and a highlight of the Abingdon year.

Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November – Abingdon Artists Autumn Exhibition
At Christ Church Barn, Northcourt Road, this exhibition features recent work by local artists, with cards and artworks for sale and live demonstrations during the week.

Friday 31 October – Sunday 2 November – Abingdon Traditional Craft Fair
At the Abbey Buildings, alongside a wide range of crafts for sale, there’ll be live demonstrations and ‘have-a-go’ sessions for visitors.

Saturday 1 November – The Oxford Waits
The period-instrument group The Oxford Waits bring 17th-century songs, dance tunes and readings – all in costume – to St Helen’s Church.

Caffé Opens on Bath Street + and other shops ‘Opening Soon’

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There’s a new caffé on Bath Street, adding another touch more Italy to the street. (In Italian, caffè  means coffee, but it’s also used to refer to a coffee shop or café.) Delicatessen Caffè has been open for about three weeks and offers freshly made bagels with a variety of fillings, stone-baked pizzas, pasta dishes, croissants, puddings, and all the usual hot drinks. You can find out more at delicatessencaffe.co.uk.

Across the road, another shop is being worked on. Three weeks ago, a sign in the window promised a ‘Grand Reveal — Opening Soon: TEN 10.’ That may or may not be a clue, but the balloons that decorated the window have now gone as more fitting out continues.

On Stert Street, another business is ‘Opening Soon’. The sign in the window shows a gold monogram with the letters ABC, and below are the words ‘Aesthetics By Clouds.’ It looks likely to be an aesthetics / beauty clinic.