The Town Council needs to conduct a survey of the Abbey Hall roof. The Abbey cinema will be closed from Wednesday 2nd October to Tuesday 15th October inclusive. The Council greatly regrets any inconvenience that this closure will cause Abingdon residents.
This month the Abingdon Silver Group presented Abingdon Museum with a sterling silver plaque bearing their own mark, made with two punches in different sizes.
The Abingdon Silver Group was formed in 1989 as a follow-on from silversmithing evening classes. They are currently based at John Mason School and offer a work environment, specialist tools, advice and tuition to members. In 2021, the Group decided it should have its own mark for members to stamp their work with. The design incorporates the cross and shield from the Abingdon Town Crest, the letters “a s g” for Abingdon Silver Group, and a crescent moon, an alchemical symbol for silver.
The silver plaque is currently on display in the foyer of the Museum, in celebration of the continuing tradition of quality craftsmanship in Abingdon and the strong link between the Group and the Town, expressed in the design of the mark.
SUNDAY 1st MAY 2022
Join local archaeologist Jeff Wallis for a walk and discover the traces of ancient settlements, such as an early Bronze Age barrow cemetery at Barrow Hills in North Abingdon. Jeff is a silversmith with an archaeological and palaeontology background. He focuses on ancient Abingdon and points out key markers in the landscape that give clues to its history.
You might be surprised at the hidden archaeology nearby!
Booking Information: Tickets are available at the Museum Reception. Booking is essential as there are only 10 places available.
CONTACT US ~ Telephone : 01235 523703
email : abingdon.museum@abingdon.gov.uk
The specimen was discovered in a local gravel pit at Oday Hill in 1988 and its current display has been possible thanks to the conservation and curatorial staff of the Oxford University Natural History Museum.
The next time you will be able to see the so called ‘Abingdon Ichthyosaur’ you will notice a change in its display.
This week researchers from the University of Portsmouth visited Abingdon Museum to have a look at the Abingdon Ichthyosaur in the Attic Gallery.
A close look at the specimen with measurements and photographs revealed that some of the bones had been misidentified and wrongly placed. Scrutiny of the jaw bones revealed an interesting pathology with several bite marks, tooth marks and evidence of healing. This preliminary study resulted in a change to the layout of the ichthyosaur skeleton, which now better reflects the shape of the animal.
The study is still ongoing but it illustrates that the Abingdon Ichthyosaur is an important local discovery and we are still learning a lot about this specimen.
We will share more information about this research in the upcoming months.
The Abingdon Michaelmas and Runaway Fairs will not take place this year. The difficult decision to cancel was taken by Abingdon Town Council after much deliberation at a Council meeting last night (9th September 2020).
Working closely with the organisers, Bob Wilson Funfairs Ltd, in consultation with the Showmen’s Guild; and taking advice from other regulatory bodies, concerns remain about the impact the fair could have on the town, given the anticipated size of the crowd and the risk that poses to public health.
The disappointing news follows in the wake of the recent cancellation of St Giles’ Fair in Oxford, Witney Feast and the Thame Fair.
Abingdon Town Council would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts in trying to find a way to allow the Fairs to go ahead and looks forward to working together next year for successful outcome for 2021.
The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Charlie Birks, said: “It is frustrating that in such an unsettling and unpredictable time, our much loved and historic autumn fairs such have been added to the list of events cancelled this year but protecting large numbers of people in open spaces is challenging and complex, even when there is no pandemic to take into account. We know that the situation regarding the pandemic is ever changing, with the government announcing further restrictions yesterday. We are deeply disappointed to have to cancel the Fairs, it is a blow for the town and for the showmen whose livelihoods have suffered so much. All parties worked hard to see if the Fairs could proceed but we have come to the reluctant conclusion that we had to cancel this year. We hope the Fairs return to their rightful place in our town’s life in 2021.”
Notes for editors:
Issued by the Town Clerk, 10th September 2020.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the museum’s Blog!
The first blog post will be published on 8th May 2020, as a contribution of the museum to mark VEDay75.
The new blog section will be updated often and available on the menu bar located on the left side of the Museum Homepage.
MUSEUM JIGSAWS
Try out our our online museum jigsaw puzzles featuring photos from our museum collection and views here: https://www.jigsawplanet.com/AbingdonMuseum
MUSEUM CROSSWORDS
Crossword no.1 (download the PDF here) – Check the answers.
Crossword no.2 (download the PDF here) – Check the answers.
Crossword no.3 (download the PDF here) – Check the answers.
A Crossword on the Museum’s collection.
Download the printable PDF version here.
Check the answers.
Christmas Craft for Adults
2D Christmas Tree – a fun Christmas craft project for adults from leftover wrapping paper.
Click the image below, follow step by step instructions and have fun creating your own artwork!
Christmas Craft
This year Abingdon Museum Crafting Crew can’t be at the museum doing Christmas Craft with you all as usual.
However, this year we are all getting used to new ways of doing things and so here are some Christmas Craft ideas for you to try at home.
Click the image below, follow the instructions and have fun creating your own artwork!
October Half-term Actvity: Aboriginal Art
Abingdon Museum Crafting Crew has put together a new craft activity to try at home during October Half-term. Each one has a name, a picture, a list of items you’ll need and some instructions. Click the image below, follow the instructions and have fun creating your own artwork!
It would be great if you could send in photos of any Artwork of yours and we can put them onto the museum website!
MUSEUM QUIZ
Ready to test your knowledge?
This quiz is about the Bun Throwing celebrations! Download the printable PDF version here.
COLOURING ACTIVITY
We’ve uploaded some colouring sheets, have fun colouring the museum and its collection.
Download the printable PDF version here.
If you like to find out more about the objects visit our collection online here https://ehive.com/collections/4128/abingdon-county-hall-museum
Location: Sessions Gallery, Abingdon Museum
Time: 10am – 4pm Tuesday – Sunday
Admission: Free
Plan your visit: This gallery is located on the museum’s first floor up 37 steps and is not lift accessible.
This is a reminder that the Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Cllr Charlie Birks, will be holding his Civic Service at 3pm on Sunday 20th October in the Abbey Cinema at the Guildhall.
The service will be led by Pat Winslow, celebrant Humanists UK.
This service will be a secular ceremony which will be fully inclusive for all and seek to be an enjoyable celebration of many of the diverse aspects of Abingdon.
All are very welcome to attend.
