This is the bridge I referred to on New Year’s Day as ‘The Abingdon Sword Bridge’. It doesn’t resemble a sword in shape but has a connection to the Abingdon Sword.

The Abingdon Sword, discovered in the River Ock in Abingdon, is now held by the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, with a replica on display at the Abingdon Museum. It’s a fine example of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship, believed to have belonged to a prince or wealthy nobleman.

If you step back and view the bridge from the riverbank, you’ll notice its outer panels feature floral or leafy designs, copied from the handle of the sword. The artist Richard Farrington was commissioned to create these special panels when the bridge was erected in 2007 as part of the Thamesview development.

The inside panels of the bridge show creatures. On one side, the central panel shows the four surrounding panels in miniature. These are thought to represent the four gospel writers, traditionally symbolised as:
* Matthew: A man
* Mark: A lion
* Luke: A calf
* John: An eagle

See if you can see which is which.

On the opposite side are creatures (maybe serpents or dragons) intertwined in the knotty way often seen in Anglo Saxon craftwork.

You might also notice padlocks attached to the bridge cables — left as symbols of modern day romantic relationships. There were more padlocks, but some have been removed and new ones added.

This and other art works round Abingdon can be explored using The Abingdon Art Walk, just one of several walks available from the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society. Paper copies can be found in Abingdon Library and the Information Centre.

Last night and this morning, strong winds swirled around Abingdon. They turned to steady rain by about 11 am — the start of the Boundary Walk from Abingdon Market Place. Despite the rain, a group of about 25 people turned out for this historic walk.

Leading the walk were the town crier, the Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Gabby Barody, and two town councillors.

In case the weather got worse, the leaders decided to reverse the usual route. That way at least one boundary stone could be seen.

The walk followed the 1556 borough boundary, marked in places by boundary stones. Setting off, walkers first crossed the River Thames, where they saw a boundary stone embossed with an “A” for Abingdon near Abingdon Lock. Tradition called them to beat the stone with sticks to ensure the boundary had not been tampered with.

From there, the group made its way back through the Thames View estate, pausing to discuss landmarks such as the Abingdon Sword Bridge.

The mayor and councillors shared stories along the way. At the stone near John Mason School, they learned that the original stone had been replaced by a parliamentary boundary stone in 1870. There were rumours that the present stone could have been created by John Mason School pupils, as it had no inscription.

Throughout the walk, the town crier rang his bell, inviting people at home to join in. “Step away from watching repeats of Strictly Come Dancing or Wallace and Gromit and come celebrate the boundaries of Abingdon-on-Thames — a far more memorable way to spend the first morning of 2025!” He ended each proclamation with, “God bless Abingdon-on-Thames! God bless the King!”

At Albert Park, the Mayor told the walkers how the charity, Christs Hospital of Abingdon, looked after the Albert Park and as Mayor she serves as a governor of Christs Hospital.

The walk concluded at St. Helen’s Wharf, where about 20 of the original group remained. There, they learned that a chamberlain used to be sent to swim across the river to inspect the stones on the far bank. Nobody volunteered to swim.

Those stones bear both an ‘A’ boundary marker and a parliamentary marker.

By the end of the walk, spirits were high despite everyone being soaked. Some people went for a hot chocolate or coffee; others headed home for a well-earned warm bath. It was a wet but memorable way to welcome in 2025, and honour the heritage of Abingdon-on-Thames.

Royal Visit to Radley College
Motoring from Didcot via Abingdon, the Prince of Wales visited Radley College yesterday to open a new library. During his visit, he inspected the College Officers’ Training Corps, played squash, and had tea with the prefects before returning to London.

Clerk Resignation
Mr. C. A. Pryce, Clerk to the Borough Magistrates, has announced his resignation from office, effective at the end of the year.

Christmas Window Contest
The Abingdon Chamber of Commerce has arranged a Christmas window contest, offering £3 10s in prizes. Voting cards will be issued, and judging will take place from December 15th to the 20th. The competition is limited to one window per shop, with participation extended to all surrounding villages.

Rev. Wilfred H. Bourne to Preach
The Rev. Wilfred H. Bourne, formerly the general secretary of the local branch of the Y.M.C.A., will preach at the Congregational Church on Sunday. Since leaving Abingdon two years ago, he has entered the United Methodist ministry and now serves the East Dereham Circuit in Norfolk.

Railway Tragedy
Henry James Goff, a Great Western Railway guard from Abingdon, tragically lost his life at Radley Station when struck by an express train. Mr. Goff had been in the service of G.W.R. for many years, rising from a lad porter at Abingdon to become a guard. A prominent churchman, he was a sidesman and server at St. Michael’s. He leaves behind a widow and four children. The inquest revealed that strong winds may have contributed to the accident, and a verdict of accidental death was returned.

Abingdon Union Workhouse Dispute
George Holt, John Bevan, Alfred Cooper, John Smith, and Walter Lewis were brought before a special sitting of the Borough Bench on a charge of refusing to work while inmates of the Abingdon Workhouse. Richard Denver Bushell, Master of the Workhouse, stated that the prisoners entered the workhouse on casual papers. That morning at 8:15, the witness went to the casual ward to ask them to do their task, but they replied they would not work until they had breakfast.

The Masters said they had already been given the prescribed breakfast, but the prisoners refused to eat it. Upon cross-examination, the prisoners complained about the gruel.

Sydney Lloyd, tramp-major at the workhouse, testified that the bread, margarine, and gruel met the requirements under regulations. He said there was nothing wrong with the gruel, which was made of pure Scotch oatmeal and prepared in his room the previous evening. He also said that some inmates of the ward ate it.

P.C. Shuff said he visited the workhouse that morning and heard complaints that the gruel was sour. He tasted it and, although he could not confirm it was sour, he believed it was salty. He said that if he had consumed more than a couple of spoonfuls, he would have been sick.

The chairman decided to discharge the prisoners.

Berks and Wilts Toy Guild
At a committee meeting in Hungerford, the Berks and Wilts Toy Guild reported a record collection of 1,202 toys, which were distributed to Poor Law institutions, hospitals, and homes across the counties.

Sports
Abingdon Town had no match on Saturday, so the players took the opportunity of going to Reading to witness the Reading vs. Darlington cup tie.

Abingdon Pavlova defeated Wantage Town 3–1 in the Reading and District League.

Abingdon Junior Imperials drew with Radley in the North Berks Cup competition.

Abingdon Pavlova triumphed over Tilehurst 2–1 in a replayed Reading Cup tie.

Accident on Oxford Road
A collision occurred near Bagley Wood due to dense fog. George Dilmott of Reading skidded while trying to avoid Edward A. Wall’s motor car, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles.

Memorial Service
A memorial service for the late Mr. H. J. Goff was held at St. Nicholas Church on Sunday afternoon, officiated by the Vicar, Rev. C. E. Fleet. A large congregation attended.

Foreign Missions Meeting
The annual missionary meeting took place in the Roysse Room, with the Vicar, Rev. C. E. Fleet, presiding. Revs. F. O. P. C. Clarke and C. Penn shared their experiences in India and Burma.

Boxing Night Entertainment
The Two Joys, vaudeville entertainers, performed at the Corn Exchange on Boxing Night in aid of the Church Hall. Their show included songs, dances, and mysteries, such as the “Selvit Cabinet Mystery” and the “Flying Lady.”

Funeral of Dorothy Harris
The funeral of seven-year-old Dorothy Harris, who succumbed to diphtheria at Abingdon Hospital, was held at Englefield Churchyard. A procession of schoolchildren, led by their teachers, followed the choir and mourners to the grave.

Culham Road Potholes
The Borough Council has raised concerns about the dangerous state of the Culham Road which is honeycombed with potholes. Despite notifying Oxfordshire County Council, no action has been taken. A letter will now be sent to the Ministry of Transport.

Excursions by G.W.R.
The Great Western Railway is offering excursions to Reading on Boxing Day for the Reading v. Swindon Town football match. Additional trains will run to Newbury Racecourse for steeplechases on December 30th and 31st.

Abingdon Flying Club Show
The Abingdon Flying Club will hold its first pigeon racing show on Boxing Day in the Assembly Rooms, featuring 15 classes. The BBC has advised listeners with aerials near pigeon lofts to make them visible to avoid harming the birds.

Free Church Council Service
A united service, organized by the Free Church Council, was held on Christmas morning at Trinity Wesleyan Church. Rev. N. E. Dando officiated.

Pavlova New Year’s Eve Dance
The Pavlova Athletic Club has arranged a whist drive and dance for New Year’s Eve, starting at 8 p.m. A prize will be awarded for the best fancy dress, and the Pavlova Band will provide music. Refreshments will be available at a moderate price.

Thanks to the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive and to the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library.  The picture of the Prince of Wales, The Easthampstead Union (another Workhouse in Berkshire like Abingdon’s), and the Cowley Poor Law Hospital are from the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette; the XMAS and Two Jays advert is from the North Berks Herald;

A team of archaeologists from Thames Valley Archaeological Services have dug six trenches and uncovered Medieval and Roman artifacts, including pottery, human remains, and a wall linked to a bell tower from the former Abbey, during improvement works at Abingdon’s Cattle Market car park.

These walls and the cemetery site will be preserved and have led to a small delay. The archaeological ditches have been covered over and part of the car park has re-opened in the run up to Christmas. The project will now be completed in March 2025.

The car park project, funded by Thames Water, aims to enhance usability and sustainability through resurfacing, improved lighting, and a rain garden.

Councillor Mark Coleman, Vale of White Horse District Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Waste, said: ‘It’s exciting to discover more about the fascinating history of Abingdon and the Abbey.’

Thanks to the Thames Valley Archaeological Services for the first picture.