The Abingdon Sword: A Saxon Legacy in Oxford and Abingdon

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In 865 AD, a Danish army arrived in Britain, sweeping through the north and leaving destruction in its wake. As they advanced south, Abingdon Abbey was burned to the ground. An artifact from around that time is a decorated Saxon sword known as the Abingdon Sword.

Currently displayed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford on Level 2 (Gallery 41: England 400–1600), among the late Saxon artifacts, the Abingdon Sword is a fine example of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship. The label says:

100. Sword, iron and silver. c. 875, Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The blade of the ‘Abingdon Sword’ was produced through a process known as pattern welding, in which strips of iron were twisted together and welded into a pattern that gave the blade added strength. (AN1890.14)

The sword was discovered near Abingdon in 1874 and later acquired by the antiquarian Sir John Evans, who presented it to the Ashmolean in 1890. The Ashmolean holds many artifacts from Abingdon, though few are currently on display. They can be seen online through the museum’s digital collections. Just search ‘Abingdon’.

For those interested in seeing Anglo-Saxon history up close, a visit to Abingdon Museum is worth the climb if you’re able. A replica of the Abingdon Sword is on display. The museum also has a  display case, along with two drawers of Anglo-Saxon artifacts.

One of the most significant discoveries in Abingdon was the large Anglo-Saxon cemetery uncovered in 1934 during the construction of Saxton Road. This burial site revealed many inhumations and cremations, accompanied by grave goods such as weapons, tools, and jewellery.

Ladygrove ‘New’ Orchard

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Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council has obtained 30 fruit trees for planting in Ladygrove Meadow (the meadow near the Ock Bridge on Drayton Road). The planting took place yesterday, with community volunteers helping to plant and secure the trees using hessian ties and wooden stakes.

The event was organised by Abingdon Carbon Cutters, with support from the council’s Outdoor Team and Councillor Tom Greenaway.

The newly planted trees include apple, pear, cherry, hazelnut, and plum. Previously, some fruit trees had been planted nearby in what seems to be unofficial planting.

In addition to the orchard, the Town Council’s Outdoor Team has planted a new hedge around a gas relay station next to the orchard.

Thesiger-Oxford Walk

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Schools were closed for half term, and a child walked through the alley from Thesiger Road to Oxford Road in Abingdon.

There was a snake. It did not move.
There was a fox. It did not move.
There were giant footprints.

The child saw a mouse. A speech bubble over the mouse read, “There’s no such thing as a Gr——?”. The last word was too difficult to read. The child walked on.

At the end of the alley, there was something big — like a bear, but with tusks, orange eyes, and a wart.

It did not move. The child walked on.

 

Vale of White Horse Leisure Centre – Greener Buildings

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Work has begun on replacing the gas boilers at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon. The contractor has taken over the centre’s overflow car park.

The new heating will be Air Source Heat Pumps, powered by 600 new solar panels on the roof. The project is funded by the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Community Infrastructure Levy (developer funding), and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

There should not be much disruption to users as most of the work is outside or on the roof. Similar work will be carried out at the Wantage Leisure Centre. It is expected to be completed by March 2026, and the council estimates it will reduce overall carbon usage by over 25%.