News from Nags Head Island

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I was walking around Nags Head Island when somebody asked whether I had seen the otter. He said one visits there.

What I did see was a sunken boat called Wreckless, with a notice fixed to the cabin that began: ‘NOTICE TO REMOVE SUNK, STRANDED OR ABANDONED VESSEL.’

Beneath Abingdon Bridge the water was swirling – dull brown with carried mud. The river is running higher than yesterday and has spilled over the banks in places.

I was also told this evening that Abingdon Bridge is to close for a few days in March. For some, that will mean finding another way to work at Culham that doesn’t involve driving across the bridge. The structure has already seen long restrictions: first with a lane closed during the Covid shutdown, and later when strengthening work was carried out on one of the arches. This time, I understand, inspection work is planned for the other arches.

Lodge Hill Slip Roads Progress (and overnight A34 closures)

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The Lodge Hill interchange works are intended to improve access to the A34 from north Abingdon and reduce traffic going through Abingdon town centre. There will be south facing slip roads, two roundabouts to control traffic on and off the A34, mitigation measures intended to limit any increase in rat-running through nearby villages, and improvements to existing lay-bys along the A34.

Work continues on creating the south-facing slip roads. The view from the footpath bridge towards Sunningwell, looking north, shows the line of what will become the new off-slip road.

Most of the slip-road route looks muddy as the land has been cleared and levelled. One mature oak tree has been kept and surrounded by fencing to protect its roots during the works.

Looking from the A4183 bridge (without the aid of a drone), extensive yellow fencing marks out walkways and other protected areas. Beyond them, the start of the new south-facing on-slip can be seen.

To allow the installation of narrow lanes — needed for the safety of the workforce — sections of the A34 are being closed overnight between the Hinksey Hill and Marcham interchanges. Closures will be in place from 9pm to 6am on the following dates:
* Southbound only: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January
* Northbound only: Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 January

Residents and local politicians from Abingdon have long campaigned for these slip roads. The scheme was made possible through funding made available as a result of the large-scale housing developments in North Abingdon. The view south from the Sunningwell footpath bridge shows some of the housing and how close it is to the A34.

Welcome all Puzzlers

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A notice in Abingdon Library reads: ‘Welcome all puzzlers to our Community Jigsaw’ and in smaller type ‘Please supervise children at all times and respect the work of previous puzzlers.’ and ‘Not suitable for children under 3.’

By Tuesday the road, pavement and most of Roysse Court were complete, and the bushes. The remaining building pieces had been sorted into the box lid or tried out on the board.

By Friday the buildings, including St Nicolas Church and the Guildhall, are complete. Visitors come and go, stopping to add a handful of pieces – possibly none, as it gets harder. Only the featureless sky is left to do.

The image is titled Stadtzentrum von Abingdon — ‘Abingdon town centre’ — and comes from a 1,000-piece puzzle by the German company Lais.

Community jigsaws have become a familiar sight in Abingdon (and other) libraries in recent years. They offer an activity that anyone can join, away from phones or computer screens.

What’s On in Abingdon-on-Thames (15–24 January 2026)

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The town is beginning to emerge from the New Year hibernation and there are a few events being advertised on notice boards in Abingdon next week, and even more coming in the following week, which I will return to.

Thursday 15 January – 7.00pm
Conversations with Martin Wackernier
Venue: Garden Room, St Ethelwold’s House

The third in a series of conversations hosted by Duncan Brown. This free evening features Martin Wackernier, a Belgian rock guitarist turned photographer, whose work has taken him around Abingdon and beyond. Martin will reflect on his journey and creative life. Cost: Free. Places are limited. You can try reserving a seat by calling the number but it may be too late. Donations welcome.


The Snow Queen – by Ron Nicol (based on Hans Christian Andersen)
Dates & Times: (see poster)
Venue: Unicorn Theatre, Checker Walk, Abingdon OX14 3JB

Abingdon Drama Club presents a stage adaptation of the classic fairy tale. Cost: £15 (£12 concessions). Tickets are available from The Bookstore, 15 Bury Street, or online via the Abingdon Drama Club website.


Thursday 22 January – 7.30pm
Getting Abingdon Moving: Cycling & Walking Route Improvements
Venue: Abingdon Baptist Church

A talk on proposed cycling and walking improvements in and around Abingdon over the next five years. The speaker is Robin Tucker, Abingdon co-chair of COHSAT and the Coalition for Healthy Streets & Active Travel in Oxfordshire. Hosted by Abingdon Carbon Cutters, Abingdon Liveable Streets, and One Planet Abingdon. Cost: Free. All welcome. Limited parking; disabled parking only.


Friday 23 January (Doors open 6.30pm; quiz starts 7.00pm)
Mayor’s Quiz Night
Venue: The Crown and Thistle, Abingdon

A fundraising quiz hosted by the Mayor of Abingdon in support of The Mayor’s Charities. Cost: £8 per person (maximum of 8 per team).

This is also the night of the annual Church in Abingdon quiz at Abingdon Baptist Church, where each church may enter one team, and two teams if there is room.


Saturday 24 January – 6 pm arrival
Abbey Lodge Burns’ Night
Venue: Hilton Garden Inn, Abingdon

An evening celebrating the life and work of Robert Burns, featuring traditional piping, recitals of Burns’ poetry, and live music from a blues band. Proceeds will be donated to Against Breast Cancer. Cost £38 per person

Here is the final verse of To a Louse by Robert Burns …

O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
It wad frae mony a blunder free us,
An’ foolish notion…

(Would some power give us the gift
to see ourselves as others see us.
It would free us from many mistakes
and foolish ideas.)