Albert Park Through the Year: August 2025

5 Replies


The last day of August brought a mix of sunshine and showers, marking the end of a month that began dry and finished with rain. This Rowan with leaves turning yellow and brown, and berries, shows autumn’s on the way.

Flowers were scarce in August. Only in the last couple of days has the first autumn crocus appeared.

Nuts are plentiful this year, and acorns have been falling from the oak trees since early August.

A squirrel climbs here among the beech leaves to gather beech masts – though one wonders whether the harvest has arrived too early to last through autumn and winter.

Other trees display their seeds. The wonderfully twisted Golden Rain tree next to the Albert Monument is covered with bladdery seed pods.

Among the newly planted trees, a young Dawn Redwood, dedicated to a former park keeper, is struggling; its browned leaves stand in contrast to the other more healthy newly planted trees.

The Bowls Club has been active throughout the summer. The green is so fine – like felt on a snooker table.

A rainbow appeared yesterday, seen here from the park looking out toward Trinity Church.

Here is a sunrise with pink clouds showing one of the park’s broad paths and the many trees.

As evening came, crows gathered near the tops of the tall fir trees, cawing loudly to announce their arrival at their roosts.

Local Excellence Market in Abingdon

Leave a reply


There was a Local Excellence Market on the Market Place in Abingdon today. The morning began with blue skies streaked with cloud.  One stallholder said they expected rain by about 3 pm and hoped it was not earlier.

A new addition this time was a stall offering dog massage. The stallholder explained that, just like people, dogs can carry tension in their shoulders. Massage helps to ease stiffness, improve circulation, and even speed recovery from injuries — and most dogs seem to enjoy the experience.

The Oxfordshire Independent Authors Group were also represented, with four writers sharing a table and showcasing books by a dozen local authors. In the picture are:
* Another Mother’s Child by Mary McClarey
* Sangre de Toro by Rachael Adam
* Murder at the Manor by Colin Wade
* Stick or Twist by Edward Christie

At a corner of Martin Wackenier’s photography stall, Chris was knitting and displaying toys. Her corner adds colour. She has taken up macramé as well, and brought along some of her first handmade plant hangers.

Alongside these were the familiar regulars — arts and crafts, honey, samosas and various breads and cakes and cooked burgers, the fruit and veg stall, the chilli stall, and many more — together creating a busy and attractive event in town.

Meanwhile, over in the Guildhall, a craft and gift market was taking place. The organisers often arrange their market to coincide with busier market days, with helpers on hand to point visitors across.

Abingdon 100 Years Ago – August 1925

Leave a reply


ABINGDON HORTICULTURAL SHOW — The Abingdon Horticultural Society’s annual show on Thursday 14th August 1925 was a great success, with a high number of entries and strong quality throughout. The handsome challenge cup, presented by the tradespeople of the town for the best exhibit of cut flowers (open to all England), attracted only three entries, but the winning display by an Oxford firm was outstanding and became the chief attraction in the exhibition tents.

The recently added rabbit and pigeon sections showed increased support, and the judges praised the standard of entries.

Among other entertainments, a display of Morris dancing by children in costume proved especially popular. Their performance was carried out with precision, and their behaviour reflected credit on their trainers. The Ock-street Horns used in some dances were kindly lent by Alderman A.W. Morland.

ABINGDON SKIFF REGATTA — The Abingdon Skiff Regatta was held on Saturday 22nd August 1925 in the Wilsham Reach. Some very good racing was witnessed, with 57 events in the programme. During the afternoon and evening music was performed by the Abingdon Town Band. At the conclusion of the races the prizes were presented by the Mayoress, followed by dancing on the Nag’s Head Hotel tennis lawns.

ABINGDON LOCAL TERRITORIALS — The Abingdon Platoon of the 4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment – The Abingdon ‘Terriers’ – returned from Weymouth, where they had been in camp for a fortnight.

HOSPITAL SUNDAY — Abingdon Hospital Day was held on Sunday 23rd August 1925. There was a Church parade of friendly societies and other organisations in the afternoon, headed by the Abingdon and Didcot Bands, and the Salvation Army and Steventon Bands. In High Street the procession met the Mayor and Corporation, and then proceeded to St. Helen’s Church, where a service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. C. S. Fleet). Afterwards the parade again formed up and marched to the cenotaph, where a minute’s silence was observed, and two verses of the hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past were sung. In the evening a concert was given by the massed bands in the Abbey House grounds. (‘Roy’, the dog inset in the picture, was the most successful collector with £4 17s 4d. In total £57 12s 6d was collected for local hospitals.)

KINEMA.— The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the film production of Victor Hugo’s famous novel, was presented for six days commencing Monday, August 24th, 1925.

Probably never before has there been a picture of such magnificence – costing £300,000, exact in its detail, artistic in conception, and wonderful in the acting of the principals and in the handling of the vast mob scenes, in which more than 3,000 persons took part.

Lon Chaney, one of the finest interpreters of unusual character roles, gave a remarkable performance as Quasimodo, the hunchback bellringer of Notre Dame, with Ernest Torrence as Clopin, the underworld king, and Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda.

The film played to full houses throughout the six days. A talented orchestra, conducted by Mr R A Coole, played music specially arranged for this production.

Thanks to the Oxford Journal for the photographs of Abingdon events from the British Newspaper Archive. Also thanks to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette from the British Newspaper Archive for story details and the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library  for story details and the Kinema advert.

Drayton Road Gas Works Still Causing Delays

7 Replies


Drayton Road has long been one of Abingdon’s most congested routes.

A sign on Drayton Road warned of gas mains replacement works with multi-way traffic lights “for two weeks from 4th August.” The fact that the works are still ongoing has caught some people off guard, raising concerns that the delays might continue and get worse after schools return on 2nd September.

However, One.Network lists the schedule from 4th August 10:30 until 29th August 23:59 — nearly four weeks in total — so the works should finish before the new school term.

You can check the latest updates on the One.Network website.