Abingdon Police Court
On Tuesday, Stanley Ironmonger, 32, of Bath Street, Abingdon, was summoned for riding a motorcycle without a light on Bridge Street, Abingdon, on May 23. The defendant pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed, with the court giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Stratford-on-Avon Charges
At the Stratford-on-Avon Petty Sessions on Friday, Percival John Farmer, a coal merchant formerly of West St. Helen Street and now of Boxhill, Oxford Road, Abingdon, was committed to the Warwick Assizes on a charge of manslaughter. This followed the death of Thomas Holton, a foreman maltster at Flower and Sons’ Brewery, Stratford-on-Avon, resulting from a motor accident on Easter Sunday on the Shipton-on-Stour road. After a lengthy hearing, the Bench determined that a prima facie case had been made out. Bail was allowed.

Bowling Club Match
On Thursday, Abingdon Bowling Club visited Wantage Bowling Club and played on four rinks. The Abingdon teams emerged victorious with a score of 95 to 71. Mr. F. Taylor, the Wantage captain, warmly welcomed the Abingdon team and expressed his pleasure in hosting them.

Housing Issue
At the Abingdon Rural District meeting last week, Chairman Mr. L. Stevens reported that the newly appointed Road Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector, Mr. Earwaker, could not start his duties because a house could not be found for him. Mr. Earwaker may have to relinquish his current position unless accommodation is secured.

Death of Mrs. Burgess
Mrs. Burgess, a well-known resident of Abingdon, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 75 after a long illness. She was the widow of Mr. Burgess, a printer and stationer who died last September. Mrs. Burgess was actively involved in the Conservative League societies for many years.

County Bench Proceedings
On Monday, Stanley Dunsden of Radley pleaded guilty to riding a motorcycle without a light and failing to produce his license to P.C. Goddard on May 11. He was fined. Frank Harper, a farm labourer from Chawley, Cumnor, was fined for shooting two owls in violation of the Wild Birds Protection Act.

Golden Wedding Anniversary
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. George Rickard of Deloraine, Manitoba, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on May 26. They were married in Abingdon in 1874. Mr. Rickard moved to Winnipeg in 1883 and then to Deloraine the following year, where he homesteaded. Mrs. Rickard and their four children joined him later.

Girls Club Event
The Girls Club held a “market” on Wednesday afternoon, opened by the Mayor, Mr Rippon. The event included competitions, teas, and a musical performance in the evening, raising nearly £50.

Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak
An outbreak of foot and mouth disease was discovered on Sunday morning in a meadow on the Oxford Road among cattle belonging to Mr. A. Revell. Officials diagnosed the disease and ordered the immediate destruction of 19 cattle.

Bowling Club Match
The Abingdon Bowling Club hosted the South Oxford Club on Thursday, resulting in an exciting game that ended in a draw with both teams scoring 78 points each.

Vicar’s Resignation
At the Abingdon Church Council meeting on Monday evening, it was announced that the Vicar of Abingdon, the Rev. H. A. Kennedy, intends to resign in the autumn due to health reasons. Mr. Kennedy, who has been in Abingdon since 1914, will exchange livings with a younger priest in the diocese of Truro.

Church Fundraising Bazaar
Church members are raising money for the church hall building fund by organizing a scenic bazaar representing a Palestinian village. The event, held on the grounds of the Square House, will feature a replica of an Arab village using 9,000 feet of timber and 18,000 square feet of canvas. Highlights include a gateway resembling the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem, costumed stall-holders, tea and refreshments, donkey rides, and a Bedouin encampment.

Baptist Church Activities
The Abingdon Baptists have been actively involved in foreign missions. Led by Miss Smallbone and Miss Argyle, a recent initiative to create items for hospital use and dolls for native children has been successful. These items were displayed in the Baptist Hall, Ock Street, and will be sent to the London Baptist Mission House for forwarding to San Salvador, Congo.

League of Nations Meeting
The Rev. H. A. Kennedy chaired a meeting in the Abingdon Congregational Schoolroom last Thursday evening, discussing the Draft Treaty of Mutual Assistance in connection with the League of Nations Union. Colonel Borden-Turner explained the treaty and answered questions from the audience. A vote of thanks was extended to the Colonel.

Rodeo Participation
Henry Ellison of Abingdon participated in the amateur bronc riding competition at the Wembley Rodeo on Saturday. Although he was thrown from his horse after ten seconds, his effort was witnessed by a crowd of 77,000 people.

After the same event the R.S.P.C.A. decided to prosecute the promoter of the Rodeo at Wembley for cruelty to animals owing to an accident which resulted in one of the steers in the roping contest breaking a leg.

Nonagenarian Celebration
Mr. T. Tripp, a furniture dealer from West St. Helen’s, Abingdon, celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday. Known as “Major” Tripp from his days with the Abingdon Volunteer Force, he has vivid memories of political and municipal events from the early 1880s and received many congratulations.

Bowling Club Match
The Abingdon Bowling Club hosted the Cowley St. John’s team of Oxford on Thursday. The final scores were Abingdon 63, Cowley 52.

Thames Conservancy Bill
At the Abingdon Borough Council meeting last week, Alderman Preston reported that the Thames Conservancy Bill had passed the House of Commons. A rate levy on riparian authorities was rejected, replaced by a halfpenny rate. This means Abingdon will pay about £60 annually, with proportional rates for other areas such as Marlow, Goring, Taplow, Reading, and Oxford. Wallingford escaped the levy due to its rateable value.

Sources were the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive, The North Berks Herald from the Abingdon Library microfilm. Thanks to the Daily Chronicle on the BNA for the first advert, the North Berks Herald for the Palestine advert, and for people selling things on Ebay for the other three.

It appears that May 2024 in Abingdon was a busy one! Here is a trip back in time to see what locals were up to:

Local News

The annual May fair was a modest affair, lacking the usual roundabout and music.

The Abingdon Croquet Club kicked off their season with a successful AGM and re-elected their committee.

Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club started their season with mixed results, losing against Faringdon.

The annual spring stock sale at Brewery Meadow, off Ock Street, saw a good turnout and strong prices for cattle.

Mr. C. D. Adkin, a respected auctioneer and community leader, passed away.

The Council Schools held a concert to raise funds for a music festival.

A rummage sale organized by Miss Estridge raised over £14 for the upkeep of Abingdon New Church Hall.

Lady Rucker of Newbury demonstrated how to make footwear from string at the Northcourt Women’s Institute.

A whist drive was held at the Pavlova Canteen to benefit the National Institute for the Blind.

Courtroom Drama

A farmer sought to evict a tenant whose filthy habits rendered the cottage uninhabitable.

A tramp confessed to setting fire to a hayrick at Lodge Hill, claiming hunger and wetness as his motives.

Community and Culture

The North Berks Scouts held a rally in Albert Park.

Mr. Coxeter, the long-serving Chief of the Fire Brigade, stepped down, and Mr. Joseph Gib— was appointed his successor.

The Salvation Army announced the departure of their successful Commanding Officers, Ensign and Mrs. Berry.

A United Service at the Primitive Methodist Church drew a good crowd.

A Local Author Gets Recognition

Abingdon resident Oswald J. Couldrey’s book “South Indian Hours” received a glowing review in The Times, praising its cultural depth and evocative writing. It was chosen as book of the week.

Sources were the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive, The North Berks Herald from the Abingdon Library microfilm, The Times archive accessible from Abingdon Library online. Thanks to the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette on the BNA for the pictures.

Abingdon Flower Show: This year’s Abingdon Flower Show will be held in the Old Historical Abbey Grounds.

Town Band Concert: The Abingdon Town Band gave a successful concert in the Abingdon Corn Exchange.

Baptist Children Society Annual Egg Service: The Baptist CE Society held its annual egg services for juniors and seniors. The 240 collected eggs will be distributed among the sick and to the hospital.

Cottage Hospital: The matron thanks all those who donated eggs on Egg Day.

Birthday Gift for Rev. Morris: The Rev. J. P. Morris, pastor of the Baptist Church, Abingdon, was presented with a Christian Endeavor Hymnal by his congregation on the occasion of his birthday.

Good Friday Observance: Good Friday was observed quietly in Abingdon. The old custom of hot cross buns was still observed, but the cry of “One a Penny, Two a Penny” was conspicuous by its absence. Church services were held, and some people spent the day in the country or working on their allotments. The Salvation Army Band from Oxford also visited Abingdon and played at the Albert Park.

Easter Services: Easter services at St. Helen’s Church were well attended.

Abingdon Bowling Club: The Abingdon Bowling Club has issued its fixture card. The club has again entered for the Berks County Cup and the Preston Challenge Cup.

Police Court: William Fred Baylis of Oxford was fined for causing a nuisance in the Abingdon Market Place.

Football: Abingdon Town Club defeated Newbury in the Reading District League. Didcot lost to Childrey in the North Berks Cup Final. Both games were played at the Abingdon Town ground.

Liberal Victory Dinner: A celebratory dinner was held at the Abingdon Corn Exchange to mark the recent Liberal victory in the Abingdon Division. Earl Beauchamp, a former Liberal Cabinet minister, chaired the event. Mr. E. A. Leasing won back the seat for liberalism by a majority of 264. There were over 400 guests.

Excursions: The Great Western Railway Company announced special day excursions from Abingdon to Newbury Races. The Great Western Railway also offered cheap trips to the cup final between Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Death of Reverend Herbert Thomas Maitland: The Reverend Herbert Thomas Maitland passed away at the age of 78 after a long illness.

Housing Scheme: At the town council meeting on Wednesday evening, the council agreed to make an application to the Ministry of Health for sanction to raise by loan £8,705 for the development of the Box Hill site near North Court, on the border of the town.

New Workhouse Master: The Board of Guardians has selected the new Master of the Abingdon Poor Law Institution from a list of candidates. They interviewed three, and the credentials of each were excellent. The choice fell on Mr. Richard D. Bushall from Kingston-on-Thames workhouse, where he had been assistant master for nearly three years. Mr. Bushall, who is 32 years of age, has gained a master’s certificate in the Poor Law Board’s examination.

Death of Mr. William Aldworth: The death of Mr. William Aldworth, Baker, and Confectioner, at 15 West St Helen Street, Abingdon, occurred at his residence on Easter Sunday, at the age of 69 years.

Boy Scouts Performance: The Boy Scouts of the North Berks Local Association will be presenting scenes from Abingdon’s history written by Miss Agnes Baker. An opening scene will sketch the beginnings of the town, followed by three episodes based around the second Saxon Church of Abingdon Abbey. The journey will then delve into the many merriments of a medieval fair. In the closing scene, there will be a picture of Henry VIII at Abingdon, some 20 years before his unscrupulous policy brought about the dissolution of our Abbey and many other ancient abbeys.

Unemployment Returns: The number of registered unemployed people in Abingdon is 109.

Joint Hospital Board Meeting: No business was transacted at the monthly meeting of the Joint Hospital Ward at the Isolation Hospital due to lack of quorum.

Dinner at Railway Inn: A dinner was held at the Railway Inn. Mr. S. Long occupying the chair and 62 guests sitting down to an excellent repast with entertainment provided by the ‘Oxford Knuts’.

Whist Drive at The Hut: A successful whist drive was held at The Hut, North Court. The highest score was 174, made by Mrs. A. Gerring.

Thank you for the news extracts and adverts from the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette in the British Newspaper Archive. Also, thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in Abingdon Library for more adverts and news stories.