Cafe has reopened with new focus

Leave a reply


The Gathering Space opened on March 2nd, occupying the former Lounge Bar premises, which closed after its proprietors retired.

Situated next to The Clockwork Dragon, The Gathering Space is a board games café offering a dedicated venue for sociable games. The popularity of face-to-face gaming has been growing in recent years, with similar activities seen at Willows Shake and Preston Road Community Centre.

As well as board games, it hosts The Abingdon Sunday Social (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM), a  space to meet friends, family, or make new connections.

Craft groups also hold sessions here. For example, on April 17th, there’s an evening of spring wreath-making.

From May, a regular Whist group will begin there.

Six Months and Counting: Pavement Closed

Leave a reply


It’s been six months since the pavement near the top of West St Helen Street was first blocked off (see blog on 9th October 2024), due to an unsafe building. People using wheelchairs and mobility scooters still have to make detours to get around it, or go in the road.

The Co-op was the first to put an advert on the fencing around the area. I would guess their business is impacted. Now there’s also one from a Jamaican café. The Jamaican café used to be in the building that became unsafe, and had to close because of it. I think it’s probably the same people.

It looks like repairs will be costly, and whoever is responsible may still be sorting things out — possibly with insurance. But there haven’t been any clear updates, and nothing has been put in place to help pedestrians and wheelchairs.

Martin Wackenier’s Photographs on Stert Street

1 Reply


Photographer Martin Wackenier is using the former Added Ingredients shop as a pop-up gallery throughout April, showcasing and selling his photographs. A new business is expected to take over the space from May.

Martin began his photography journey with a Box Brownie at a young age, and that early camera — along with others from his collection — is part of the display.

Meanwhile, Jill Carver continues to host wine and cheese evenings from the premises.

This Weekend in Abingdon: Cinema Reopens, Record Breaking Morris Dance, Easter Fun & River Clean-Up

Leave a reply


After more than six months away, The Abbey Cinema returns to its main auditorium in the Abbey Hall from Friday 11th April 2025. Their final screening in The Old Magistrates Court took place on 6th April. Now that the RAAC roof repairs are complete, it will soon be back to comfy seats and candle-lit tables. The first film will be Snow White.

On Saturday 12th April, Duncan will be dancing in Abingdon Market Place from 5 in the morning, aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Morris dance — over 11 hours. He’ll be in full Morris dress and bells, supported by dancers from around the area, raising money for The Mayor’s Charities: One Planet Abingdon and the Abingdon & District Volunteer Centre.

Also on Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM, The Nasio Trust is hosting a family-friendly Easter event at the Abbey Buildings. Expect an egg hunt, egg and spoon races, and a game of ‘pin the tail on the bunny’.

Also on Saturday, 10 AM – 1 PM, a group of volunteers will be meeting at Abingdon Lock to help clean the River Thames and riverbank near Abingdon. Litter pickers, high-vis jackets, and gloves will be provided. If you’d like to help, you can just turn up on the day, or email events@abibinit.org for more details.