A wooden figure of a monk once stood on a traffic roundabout in Abingdon, serving as a greeting to visitors entering the town.
Following its collapse due to years of decay, only a modest stone representation of Buddha remains at this busy intersection on Marcham Road, near the Abingdon Tesco Extra store and Fairacres Retail Park.
Fresh Union Jacks and St George’s Cross flags have recently appeared again at the roundabout where Marcham Road meets Nuffield Way.
For motorists approaching from the A34 Marcham interchange, the stone Buddha figurine is among the initial sights greeting them.
However, the Buddha may not remain solitary for much longer.
Local councillor Gwyneth Lewis, who previously served as mayor of Abingdon, has indicated that arrangements are underway to restore a monk figure shortly. She stated that a monk would be brought back and noted that the plinth was already in place.
A durable wooden monk sculpture stood at the roundabout for many years before being taken away last year after it deteriorated and collapsed onto the ground, with no replacement installed as yet.
No formal statement has been issued regarding a potential substitute.
The wooden monk figure served as a visible reminder of a significant chapter in the town’s past, specifically the extensive monastery that operated until Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of monastic institutions in 1536.
The monk sculpture was erected in 2002 as part of a promotional initiative and swiftly became a well-known feature for drivers travelling toward the A34 Marcham Interchange or returning to the town after travelling elsewhere.
Last year, Alastair Fear, whose widely-read Abingdon Blog celebrated its 20th anniversary, disclosed that the wooden monk’s ultimate destination was Boxhill Walk Woods. Fear, a former town councillor, explained that the local authority had repurposed the monk as accommodation for insects, positioning it among naturally decomposing tree stumps within the woodland area.
The artwork was initially produced for a Britain in Bloom initiative, commissioned by the town council with financial support from Abbey Press. Residents would frequently adorn it for various celebrations.
It was also revealed last year that Abingdon’s historic Abbey Buildings had secured a £4 million restoration award from the National Lottery.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund contribution is anticipated to fund a significant portion of an extensive improvement scheme described as a once-in-a-generation undertaking.