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.

Fun in the Park and Music in the Park - 7 June 2014

Fun in the Park & Music in the Park 2014

The Council is again organising its annual Fun in the Park and Music in the Park on Saturday 7^th June.

Fun in the Park takes place in the Abbey Grounds from 11am to 3pm. Entrance to this event is free and attractions include sports taster sessions, arts and crafts, community groups and much more.

Later in the afternoon, the Abbey Grounds is transformed and the “Music in the Park” event takes place from 5.30 pm (gates open at 4.30pm). Music in the Park showcases performances by a variety of bands ranging from easy-listening through pop to rock. This year the event will be opened by The Undercovers, followed by Free for All; Prisoners of Katrina and Skin the Cat. The event concludes with the traditional “Proms in the Park” performed by Abingdon Town Band with the Mayor, Cllr Angela Lawrence as the soprano soloist and Abingdon Community Choir followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Following the success of last year’s events, when record crowds attended both Fun in the Park and Music in the Park, preparations for both events are proceeding well. Music in the Park sold out in 2013 and this year tickets are selling even quicker, with almost half the tickets now sold. If you want to attend this popular event, you are encouraged to get your tickets now. They are on sale from the Council’s Information Centre, which is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5 pm and Saturdays 10am to 3pm. Tickets cost £5 (adult), £2 for those aged 5 to 17. Those under the age of five are free, but still need a ticket.

For further enquiries please contact the Town Council on 01235 522642, e-mail enquiries@abingdon.gov.uk

Flood Fair – What You Can Do In The Event Of A Flood

The Town Council is organising a Flood Fair, with the aim to let people know What You Can Do In The Event Of A Flood. There will be participants from a number of agencies and organisations, with information and display stands with helpful suggestions on how to protect you, your family and your home.

The event will take place from 6.00pm to 8.00pm on Thursday 24^th October 2013 in the Guildhall (the Roysse Room).

County Hall Museum and a ride from the Fair

Abingdon-on-Thames Michaelmas Street Fair 2013

As the Michaelmas Fair arrives in town the atmosphere gets livelier and the young people flock into town for the evenings of fun and excitement.

For information on road closures and access during the Michaelmas Fair please click here

For information about the event click here

Mayor’s Annual Fishing Competition

The Mayor hosts an annual fishing match at the August Bank Holiday, arrangements and whether there is a juniors competition depend on the height of the Thames.

Pictured is a presentation to Tom Hobbs who won the Mayor’s Cup with perch and roach catches in a past year. It was an excellent match with a good turn out of 40 top local anglers. First was Tom Hobbs with 2 lbs 9 ozs of perch and roach which was about 70 fish.

The River Thames is in good health. People in possession of a rod licence are able to bring in an existing permit to be stamped from 8th June. Purchase a permit for one day or for the season 16th June to 14th March. Please enquire about availability to info@abingdon.gov.uk No permits are issued during the closed coarse fishing season. 15th March to 15th June each year no angling allowed.

Town Guide and Maps

Abingdon-on-Thames publishes its Town Guide with information about the services, shops and major activities going on in the town. A copy has been delivered to every household and there are also copies available at the Visitor and Community Information Centre.

Click here to download a PDF of the Town Guide. Abingdon-on-Thames Visitor and Community Information Centre is currently located on the Ground Floor of the Roysse Court Offices, Bridge Street, OX14 3HU. Staffed 09:30 am until 3.00 pm Monday to Saturday. Printed town centre maps are available here or by email info@abingdon.gov.uk

Please note since the town guide was produced there has been an election and a change of Councillors, for an up-to-date list of Councillors please see here.

Fun in the Park 2013

The annual Fun in the Park drew thousands of people into the Abbey Grounds for an afternoon of fun. The young and old had a chance to have a go at the variety of activities and games which were freely available. The stage performances included dancers, choirs, cheerleaders and singers.

The event was once again captured by Abingdon based family photographer, Harriet. You can view the photos at www.harrietphotography.com just click on ‘client login’ at the top of the page and use your email to create your account (email addresses are for your access to the images only, and will not be used by anyone else).

A scorching Music Festival

The hottest day of the year so far but the crowds were certainly treated to energising performances by Abingdon’s young people on the Market Place today. The Youth Music Festival, organised by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, showcased diverse talent amongst Abingdon’s young musicians and singers. Groups and individuals from the Vale and Abingdon Music Centres, Abingdon’s secondary and primary schools – folk, rock, jazz, and musical ensembles – provided three hours of inspiring entertainment while the crowds basked in the sunshine.

Beautiful plasterwork ceilings in the historic rooms of the Guildhall

Visit The Guildhall

Guildhall was the civic heart of Abingdon-on-Thames in the 18th and 19th centuries. Part of the front of the building dates from 1400 and the Roysse Room was a school at the time of Mary Tudor, established in 1556. Restored to its former status since transferring back to the Town Council in 2010, the glorious baroque rooms have been in use for receptions and public events.

The team which runs the Abbey Cinema in the 1960s extension to The Guildhall and the Unicorn in the Abbey Buildings manages the Guildhall facility on behalf of the Town Council. The venue is available fr bookings from corporate events to weddings and christenings. As a historic building, there are more than fifteen varying floor levels so access has been improved and a lift has been installed.

The Guildhall restoration included refurbishing the kitchen to professional standards and there are now two resident chefs to cater for everything from bespoke wedding receptions to food during films. There are exciting plans for pop up supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and film themed food events as well as numerous events organised by Abingdon’s thriving clubs and societies.

To find out more information or to send a booking enquiry please click here to access the dedicated website for The Guildhall.

fireworks lighting up the night sky above the trees of the Abbey Grounds

Music in the Park sell out success

There was a great turnout yesterday evening for the Music in the Park event run by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council. All three thousand tickets were sold, and the lovely weather saw a full house gather with their picnics in the Abbey Grounds.

The audience ranged from 8 months to 80, and fuelled by the twin delights of candy floss and Loose Cannon’s finest ales, they sang along and danced enthusiastically to the various acts including Blues Brothers and Michael Buble tribute acts and local bands the Prisoners of Katriona and Elkie.

The evening was rounded off by the Abingdon Band, accompanied by three choirs, reprising the Last Night of the Proms and the grand finale was the fantastic firework display lighting up the sky above Abbey Meadow.

Conductor in Union Jack waistcoat leading the audience singing the National Anthem

Music in the Park sold out

Music in the Park tickets are now sold out so there should be a great atmosphere tonight at the Abbey Grounds. HAVE A GREAT EVENING!