May 15th is Conscientious Objectors’ Day, when Quakers, and Peace Campaigners remember the men who refused to take up arms.

One such man was Roland Caudwell ( 1880-1982). He will be remembered by some in Abingdon as the retired builder who lived at 52 Thesiger Road. He will be remembered by others as a Deacon at Abingdon Baptist Church. There are earlier pictures of him serving as a soldier in the Boar War where he looked after the horses. But during World War I, he had become a man of conscience who refused to fight or kill, and is listed as a Conscientious Objector.

In 1916 he was Clerk of the Abingdon Quaker meeting. Like many Quakers (or Friends) he held pacifist beliefs. He was exempted Military Service at a tribunal in July 1916 not only on grounds of conscience but also because he was a farmer – a reserved occupation.

Mr Caudwell reached the grand age of 101, and there are reports of him as a centenarian in the Abingdon Herald. The reports say that he made hundreds of blankets for Oxfam.

When Mr Harry Downey retired from running Bailey Shoe Repairs, the Oxford Mail reported Shoe Repair Shop Ties up Trade.

Sorry to say that Harry is no longer with us and his funeral is at 2pm on Monday 24 February in St Helens Church – all are welcome. Thanks to Elizabeth for three pictures taken when Harry was nearing retirement in March 2010.

Bailey’s opened in 1903 and celebrated 100 years of customer satisfaction in 2003.

They were located in what was the site of the stables behind the Rising Sun Hotel – now Barclays Bank.

Harry joined Baileys at age 15, became the owner in 1984, and retired in 2010 at the age of 70.

The Abingdon Town Flag above the County Hall is flying at half mast out of respect for Keith Hasnip, the Mayor of Abingdon for the year 2004-5. He passed away yesterday, at the age of 84
 
Keith lived in Abingdon for nearly sixty years, and was a teacher at Abingdon School for 40 years, and Head of Modern Languages. The languages came in very useful during twinning visits. He also served as a Governor at Carswell School.

(Thanks to the Town Crier for the picture above.)

Keith had a great interest in history, and with Audrey, his wife, organised Heritage Open Day, and made it the event it is today. He was also Chairman of the Museum Committee, and in 2004 organised a successful fundraising campaign to buy the Anglo-Saxon ring seen above which was found in Abingdon.

All our sympathy to Audrey and family.