Tour of Ancient Abingdon
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
Sad news regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Michaelmas and Runaway Fairs
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:
- The Abingdon Michaelmas and Runaway Fairs are hiring (or “mop”) fairs which have their origins in the labour problems which prevailed after the Black Death pandemic of 1348/9.
- The right to hold the Fairs is now consolidated in the Oxfordshire Act 1985 where it is stated in section 38 that “subject to the provisions of this section, the Town Council shall continue to hold the fairs customarily held in the town at the commencement of this Act” and this includes the Michaelmas Fair (or Hiring Fair) on the Monday falling first before 11th October and on the following Tuesday and the Runaway Fair on the Monday next following the Michaelmas Fair.
- This year the relevant dates would have been: Michaelmas Fair 5th and 6th October and Runaway Fair 12th October 2020.
- The requirement to hold the Fairs is contained in local legislation. However this legislation is itself subject to the overarching requirements of primary (national) legislation , pertinent in this case being public health requirements and the Coronavirus Act 2020.
- The last time the Fairs were cancelled was during the Second World War, 1939 to 1945.
Issued by the Town Clerk, 10th September 2020.
Food stalls – Monday market on 30th March
The traditional Monday market will take place as usual this Monday, 30th March. However in line with current restrictions on retailing activity and in line with other local markets, this will be a food only market. The traders will be arriving early to supply you with your everyday needs and there will be the usual fruit and veg, bakery goods, pet food, meat and olive stalls. (We are awaiting news as to whether the fish stall is attending.
The Monday market is an important part of the food supply chain for many local people and you are encouraged to support it.
We are looking to spread the stalls round the Market Place to make best use of the space and therefore your usual favourite might not necessarily be in the same place as usual.
If attending the market please adhere to the rules on social distancing and keep at least 2 metres between you and the next person. In order to reduce unnecessary numbers on the Market Place we are requesting, as are other retailers, that you shop on your onw rather than as a couple or a family if that is at all possible.
Give driving a miss for a day and be in with a chance to win a prize
Sunday 22 September is World Car Free day and South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils are offering drivers in the districts the chance to win a prize – if they give their vehicle a rest on that day.
World Car Free Day has been running for 25 years. Cities, towns and villages take the opportunity to raise awareness of air pollution and air quality by encouraging people to leave their cars at home for the day and choose alternative forms of transport.
Since Clean Air Day on 20 June both South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have been urging drivers to turn off their engines if they are stopped for a minute or more as part of their joint anti-idling campaign called Turn It Off. Now the councils are suggesting that drivers turn off their engines for a day!
If drivers in the districts pledge not to use their cars on World Car Free Day on 22 September and then tell the councils how they got around instead – on the train? bus? cycling? walking? kayaking? – they will be entered for a draw for travel vouchers worth £50.
TO ENTER
People simply click on https://survey.southandvale.gov.uk/s/Worldcarfreeday/ and show (using words and photos) what they did on 22 September without their cars. Deadline for entries is 5pm Monday 30 September.
Cllr Jenny Hannaby, cabinet member for the environment at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Air pollution in our districts is something you cannot easily see but it is a problem that affects us all. Evidence shows a lot of our air pollution comes from our cars.”
Cllr David Rouane, cabinet member for the environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “World Car Free Day offers everyone the opportunity to think about using an alternative means of transport and how that will benefit us in many ways, reducing congestion and improving air quality, as well as giving an opportunity for some healthy exercise.”
Abingdon Michaelmas and Runaway Fairs come to town!
Abingdon Michaelmas Fair will take place on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th October from 12 noon to 11pm each day.
The Michaelmas Fair is the longest street fair in Europe, running from the Market Place, through the High Street, The Square and the full length of Ock Street. This historic street fair has its origins in the shortage of labour following the Black Death of 1348/9. The Fair was a hiring fair, the equivalent of today’s employment agencies and online job websites. Men were hired for agricultural work at Michaelmas and the Fair provided an opportunity for staff to be hired for the next 12 months. The Fair remained, at least in part, a hiring fair until the early part of the last century.
Nowadays the Fair continues but as a fun fair. It includes some of the latest state-of-the-art fairground attractions which operate alongside more traditional rides, side-shows and refreshment kiosks. The smaller fair, held the following Monday week later and still called The Runaway Fair, provided the opportunity for unhappy employees to change their minds and contracts. Both of these Fairs are organised by a professional funfair operator, Bob Wilson’s Funfairs. Based in Birmingham, they are responsible for the organisation of many funfairs throughout the country. Like many of the showmen who attend Abingdon Fair, they have a long tradition of working in Abingdon which goes back many years.
The Michaelmas Fair starts setting up from 8.30am on Sunday, after which there are road closures and diversions to enable the traditional street fair to take place. There are also closures and diversions the following week for the Runaway Fair. Please see article here for more information on these road closures.
To mark the start of the Fairs, the Town Council is organising the traditional Fairground Service of Blessing and Dedication. This will take place at 8pm on Sunday 6th October 2018 on the Galloping Horses in the Market Place. All are very welcome.
Abingdon Flood Defences – Proposals for Temporary Flood Barrier
Abingdon Flood Defences – Proposals for Temporary Flood Barrier
Abingdon Town Council has organised a meeting with the Environment Agency (EA) at which the EA will update residents on their work in relation to Abingdon Flood Defences and outline their proposals for a temporary flood barrier. The meeting will take place in the Roysse Room at 7pm on Thursday 18th July 2019.
Chair of the Council’s Planning, Consultations and Highways Committee, Cllr Jeanette Halliday, stated “Many residents were badly affected by flooding in 2007 and with the climate emergency this is likely to get worse. The meeting with the Environment Agency gives concerned residents an opportunity to listen to the EA’s plans and ask questions. All interested residents are very welcome to the meeting.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Samantha Bowring, stated: “Flooding and how its potential impact may be properly managed and reduced remains a major issue for the town. This council is keen that residents should be fully engaged with all plans on matters affecting the town and so we are pleased that the Environment Agency is coming to speak directly with residents regarding their work and the plans which will directly affect them.
Music in the Park Saturday 1st June – Tickets Selling Fast!
With just over 2 weeks to go until our popular Music in the Park event make sure you get your tickets as soon as possible so you don’t miss out!
This year promises to be as good as ever with music from Local bands; Nevada, Fallen Angels, The Voodoo Penguins and Hope & Glory.
Concluding with the usual Proms Concert by Abingdon Town Band and a Grand Firework Display.
Throughout the evening there will be local Food Vans and Bars serving a range of food and drink for you to enjoy.
This year’s Music in the Park takes place in the evening of Saturday 1st June at 4:30pm, following on from the popular daytime event, Fun in the Park.
Wristbands for this year’s event cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. Under 5’s are free but will need a band for entry. No concessions.
Tickets are available online via the Abbey Cinemas Website: (https://theabbey.ac/web?event=5ca9bf3ee66ee35267f7b76b) and to purchase directly in The Abbey Cinema located in the Guildhall, Abingdon. Opening Hours: 10:00am – 9:00 pm Daily.
Music in the Park Wristbands
It is that time of year again when Tickets go on sale for the popular Music in the Park event organised by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council.
Wristbands for this year’s event will be on sale from Monday 8th April in the Abbey Cinema, Guildhall. Wristbands will cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. Under 5’s are free but will need a band for entry. No concessions.
Tickets are available online via the Abbey Cinemas Website and to purchase directly in The Abbey Cinema located in the Guildhall, Abingdon. Opening Hours: 10:00am – 9:00 pm Daily. (Payment Via Card only).
Please note this is a change of location from last year. Wristband sales and collections will only be available from The Abbey Cinema this year.
Music in the Park has taken place in the Abbey Grounds every year since its inception as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, attracting large crowds with 3,500 wristbands being made available in the spring.
This year’s Music in the Park takes place in the evening of Saturday 1st June, following on from the popular daytime event, Fun in the Park.
The evening event will start at 4:30pm with live music from local bands and concludes with a Proms Concert by Abingdon Town Band and a Grand Firework Display.
