Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council - Abingdon on Thames Town Council

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Abingdon-on-Thames is a vibrant market town with a population of over 33,000. Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council is a parish council under the Local Government Act 1972 and is the successor authority in terms of parish functions to the Abingdon Borough Council. The Town Council is responsible to the residents of Abingdon-on-Thames for a wide range of services. In this section of the Abingdon-on-Thames website we outline these services, as well as information about council meetings, committees, councillors, budget spending and the civic calendar.

The Council’s Vision is “to develop an inclusive community so that Abingdon is the place where everyone wants to live and where the wellbeing of residents is prioritised. In developing this community, the town will be one which is environmentally sustainable, vibrant, resilient and safe.” This is core to delivering and developing our services. The Council has adopted four key strategic objectives in order to acheive this Vision:

1 To respond effectively and speedily to the climate emergency.

2 To develop a resilient, sustainable town which will provide a home for residents now and in the future.

3 To manage the Council’s assets efficiently and effectively to meet for the needs of the community now and in the future.

4 To work with community partners to support those who are vulnerable and in need and to create opportunities to increase social inclusivity.

Find our contact details on the contact us page.

Christmas Inspiration at a genuine Crafts Market

Christmas Inspiration at the Craft Market this weekend

This Saturday 13th December the Market Place at Abingdon-on-Thames is the setting for a quality Christmas Market featuring genuine craftspeople and offering workshops and demonstrations.

Talented potters, woodworkers, bakers and painters will be joined by stalls full of lovely hand-made jewellery, clothing and soaps. So many unique and interesting gifts and stocking fillers to take away to complete your Christmas shopping…and the satisfaction of supporting craftspeople and young entrepreneurs from your own area with just some of your Christmas budget. When you’ve finished wandering around the market have a look in some of the great independent shops on Bridge Street, Stert Street, Bury Street and Bath Street.

We’ve got Chocolate-Craft workshops and Have-a-Go Woodwork sessions going on throughout the day (until half an hour before the market ends) as well as Mince Pies and Mulled Wine on sale for charity.

Come into Abingdon this Saturday for a traditional Christmas shopping experience in a traditional market town.

Great independent shops
Coffee and tea shops close by the market
2 hours free parking in town centre car parks
Unique gifts and genuine local crafts
Meet the person who actually made the gift you are buying
Order bespoke items or commission something really special

Extravaganza Crowds watch the fireworks. Photograph by Lawrence Harman

Christmas Lights today!

Today is the day the Christmas LIghts are switched on, but before that lots of entertainments and activities going on all around the town centre, including Ruby’s Vintage Fair at the Guildhall from 10am to 4pm and the Fireworks around 5.30pm (Ceremony from about 4.45pm) For more information click here

Remembrance Day in Abingdon-on-Thames

The Annual Remembrance Day Parade and Service will take place today with the church service commencing at 10.00am in St Helen’s Church, moving to the War Memorial for 10.40am followed by the Parade to the Guildhall after 11.00am. The Mayor and Council of Abingdon-on-Thames extend a warm welcome to all who wish to attend any part of this act of remembrance.

New Town Crier Magazine now being delivered

Town Crier Magazine coming your way

The latest edition of the Town Crier magazine is now being delivered to every home in the parish. The magazine gives information about what the Town Council and other organisations have been doing and is also full of information about upcoming events including important dates for next year.

If you haven’t received one please email enquiries@abingdon.gov.uk

The magazine is a special 1914 Remembered edition with the centre pages devoted to looking at the ways the town got involved in the centenary of the First World War this year. If you enjoyed the atmosphere of the WWI re-enactment Heritage Day back in September, take a look at the great photos taken on the day or read the book review about the new Abingdon in the Great War publication produced by a local researcher, Bob Frampton.

One of the scriptwriting talents behind the Vicar Of Dibley will be your quizmaster

Quiz Tickets Selling Fast

The Mayor’s Charities Quiz Tickets have been on sale for the month of September and are looking like they will sell out this month. There are 45 unreserved tickets left to sell so well past the half way point.

People who reserved tickets should make payment before the end of October.

For more information about the event click here

The fairground rides light up the Market Place

Fairs Return to Town

The annual Michaelmas Fair will be operating on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th October, with the Runaway Fair following on the week after.

For more information about the fairs, and traffic diversions which will be in operation from Sunday 5th, please click here

Flagging it Up

Residents and businesses alike have told the Town Council how much they enjoy the sight of Abingdon, St George and the Union flags flying from lamppost fixings around the town. Sadly wind and weather do take their toll and the present set of flags are now being taken down. Anyone wanting to claim possession of one of these flags can request one by emailing the town council. A donation of £5 to the Mayor’s Charities will be asked for.

Reading of the roll at sunset in St Helen's Church

Lights Out in Abingdon-on-Thames

Abingdon-on-Thames is participating in the nation-wide Lights Out commemoration on August 4th.

“The lamps are going out all over Europe: we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary, August 1914

Making one simple and very powerful statement the evening will start with a vigil and reading of the roll of those Abingdonians who went off to war in 1914-18. This will be taking place from 6.30pm onwards in St Helen’s Church with members of today’s local community reading out from the list.

Cllr Mike Badcock is encouraging more members of the community to come forward to take part in the public reading of the roll.

At 10.15pm the focus will move to the War Memorial in The Square. Abingdon Town Band will play music and from 10.30pm a Service of Commemoration will be held concluding with the Last Post and the Lights Out moment at 11pm.

All members of the public are welcome to any part of the Abingdon-on-Thames Lights Out commemoration. To understand the purpose and meaning behind the nationwide commemoration visit the Lights Out website

For more information please contact Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council via enquiries@abingdon.gov.uk or 01235 522642

Abingdon Traditional Morris men waiting to hear the results of the ballot

Midsummer Mayor

The annual Election of the Mayor of Ock Street resulted in a shock result today with a new “mayor” (mock mayor really) crowned by our “real mayor” Cllr Angela Lawrence. Are you confused yet? Abingdon-on-Thames rejoices in a tradition going back hundreds of years, to when Ock Street was the poorest part of the town and the people who lived there something of an underclass. In true Abingdon style they used to elect a person to stand up for the rights of these common folk against the authorities of the town, this person being dubbed the Mayor of Ock Street. Mock Mayors exist in a few other towns, but are a rarity, and most of the others are in the West Country. At some point the Election of the Mayor of Ock Street became closely connected with the Abingdon Traditional Morris dancers, who always dance with a set of Ox Horns on display referring back to their legendary winning of this post-barbecue trophy after a set-to with the boys from the other side of the town. So election day now involves something of a marathon of Morris Dancing, with guest sides coming from near and far to join in the festival atmosphere.

The shock result? Roger Cox, after a reign of several years, gives way to Harry Knight as the new Mayor of Ock Street, after Harry’s victory of 95 votes to 67. Residents of Ock Street and the adjacent areas still make up the voting population along with the members of the Abingdon Traditional Morris side. Harry’s new duties will include being carried around shoulder-high in a be-flowered sedan chair, mastering the donning of the complicated double sash and taking good care of the ceremonial sword and goblet.

Craft Market on Saturday

You’ll be supporting your local town centre and keeping genuine British crafts alive by taking some time out in Abingdon-on-Thames town centre this Saturday between 9am and 3pm. With live music from clarinets and voices, the atmosphere should be mellow and the pace relaxed. Come and join us for coffee in the Market Place, take in the stalls and lovely, locally-made craft products, and enjoy Abingdon Market Place at its best.