Events in October

Abingdon is a great place to be at any time of year, but autumn brings some extra special activities. Here’s a taster of some of the fantastic events happening in and around the town this October.

Michaelmas Fair

Monday 10 October, 2–11.00pm

The historic Michaelmas Fair in Abingdon has its roots in medieval times, when farmworkers would gather at the fair in the hope of being hired. Named for St Michael, legend says that Michaelmas is the last occasion each year when you should pick blackberries because the Devil has cursed them!

Held throughout the town centre and along Ock Street, Abingdon’s Michaelmas Fair is one of the longest street fairs in Europe. It makes for a wonderful afternoon and evening out for all the family, with entertainment, food and drink, funfair rides and sideshows.

Runaway Fair

Monday 17 October, 12– 9.00pm

Another annual fair in Abingdon is the intriguingly named an equally ancient Runaway Fair, held just one week after the bigger Michaelmas Fair. Historically, farmworkers who found their employer not to their liking would run away and put themselves up for hire once more.

Based around the Market Place and High Street, there is family fun to be had once again with entertainment and rides for children. It’s a wonderful chance for townsfolk and people from the surrounding area to enjoy a late autumn evening get-together.

Abingdon Marathon

Sunday 23 October, from 9.00am

Whether you are taking part as a runner or simply turning out to cheer on those who are running this marathon, this is a fun day out

A flat, fast two lap circuit takes runners through Abingdon town centre and the surrounding countryside, starting and finishing at Tilsley Park athletic stadium. 

Tree Climbing

Monday 24 October, 10am–4.45pm

The Earth Trust at Little Wittenham near Abingdon is putting on a fantastic half-term event for children, open to all ages. This is a chance for them to get out in the fresh air and be adventurous, using ropes and harnesses to head for the treetops. Booking essential, via www.bigtreeclimbing.co.uk.

Mud Pie Monday

Monday 24 October, 10–11.30am

Pack your wellies and waterproofs for another half-term event at the Earth Trust at Little Wittenham, near Abingdon. Mud Pie Monday is a drop in event, where buckets of mud equals buckets of fun – a fantastic chance for children to get creative and messy!

Pumpkin Night

28 October, from 6pm

Halloween has become big news in the UK, and The Bear and Ragged Staff in Cunmor on the outskirts of Abingdon are putting on entertainment and fun for all the family in support of the Mayor’s Charities. The event not only supports the Mayor in this way but what many people love to watch is the election of the new Mayor of Cumnor, which concludes with a dunking in the village pond.

This year you can be sure of a fine time at The Bear, with fireworks, a magician and Morris dancing, plus the biggest pumpkin and marrow competitions. Then there’s a charity auction, raffle and spot prizes. You won’t go hungry either, with a pig roast and barbecue available, plus a chance to sample a beer or two from the beer tent. Why not dress up in your spookiest costume and join in the fun?

Abingdon: The Great British High Street

Abingdon-on-Thames is in the running for The Great British High Street, #GBHighSt, a competition that celebrates the innovations that support those working to revive, adapt and diversify high streets across the country. We have high hopes for our entry as a large market town, a status of which we are justifiably very proud. But we need your help!

How can you help?

Last year, The Great British High Street saw 230 high streets enter the awards, with 200,000 votes cast; this year the event organisers say the competition is ‘bigger and better’, and we’re hoping you’ll support us by saying why you believe our wonderful town deserves to win – simply go to #GBHighSt and make your voice heard on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or Pinterest.

But why is celebrating the Great British High Street so important?

According to research from the Economic & Social Research Council, derelict high streets are highly visible and provide graphic evidence of the severity of economic downturn. Its research shows that the number of empty property units more than doubled to 16.3% in late 2012 from 7% in 2008. This downturn was triggered by three key factors:

1. The progressive rise of online shopping.
2. The impact of competition from out-of-town ‘one-stop’ retail developments.
3. The rise of convenience culture.

In order to survive and thrive in 21st-century Britain, retailers need to change. According to the Digital High Street 2020 Report, a successful high street must be convenient, engaging, relevant, adaptive, diverse and experiential.

How does Abingdon fair?

There are many factors that make Abingdon stand out, and why it’s worthy of taking the top spot of Britain’s best high street:

Proud to be a market town

As well as having a town centre full of fabulous shops, Abingdon is famed as a market town. Encouraging local people to come together and share their wares, Abingdon, as is our heritage, hosts a variety of markets, including a traditional market every Monday, a monthly farmer’s market on every third Friday, a quarterly local excellence market, a regular country market and a seasonal craft fair. What a lot of choice!

Celebrating our heritage

How many other towns have a 400-year-old annual Bun Throwing Competition? With our claim as the oldest town in the country, Abingdon is steeped in history from medieval times, and has a wealth of buildings (did you know there are over 200 listed buildings in the town centre alone?) and places to visit that are reminders of days gone by, but which blend perfectly with the town’s modern, vibrant environment. 

A town with ambition

Our ambition far exceeds that of many town. With Abingdon BID (Business Improvement District) voted in this year, our town centre businesses are collectively investing in local improvements to enhance the trading environment which will enable businesses to be responsive to the changing needs on the high street. With the development of a comprehensive marketing strategy, work is in place to increase footfall and spend in Abingdon. A range of festivals and events will be developed, aimed at boosting local trade and showcasing what our town has to offer to local, regional and national visitors. And there will be a range of activities to improve such things as street signage and work towards improved town centre parking facilities. After all, according to a report published in The Guardian, for every £1 spent with an SME, 63p stays in the local economy, which is why such initiatives are so important.

So much leisure, so much pleasure

Abingdon’s town centre is always buzzing. There’s a fantastic range of shops with all the best high-street names, plus destination stores that you won’t find anywhere else. Our independent shops are some of the best in the land and well worth a visit – they are brilliant places to browse. Then there’s the fabulous café culture, wonderful gastro-dining, great pubs … you’ll never go hungry or thirsty here. And the River Thames flowing just yards from the town centre is a true privilege for all to enjoy, including the amazing Thames Path national trail.

As you can see, there’s so much more to Abingdon than may first meet the eye. . Please join us in keeping everything crossed for our town to take the prized title in The Great British High Street competition – and remember to add your support at #GBHighSt.