Abingdon’s New Vicar
It was announced in the Abingdon churches that the Bishop of Oxford had appointed the Rev. R. C. MacKeown as Vicar of Abingdon, succeeding the Rev. C. S. Fleet, who is leaving to become Rector of Newquay, Cornwall.
Mr. MacKeown is no stranger to Abingdon, having been ordained in 1912 and appointed a a curate in the town. He quickly became popular through his good work and genial nature.
During the First World War he served as a Chaplain to the Forces from 1915 to 1919, seeing action on the French and Belgian fronts, including the Somme. He was mentioned in dispatches by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.
Returning to Abingdon after the war, he became active in parish affairs before being appointed Vicar of Fenny Stratford in 1922. He is expected to take up his new duties in Abingdon in October 1926.
Abingdon Territorial in Camp
The two Abingdon platoons of the Royal Berkshire Regiment arrived at Chiseldon Camp on a Sunday afternoon, having travelled by train and then marched two miles from the station.
The men were pleasantly surprised by the camp’s facilities. The huts, one for each company, had electric lighting, good washing facilities and lockers shared between two men — a considerable improvement on the bell-tents used in earlier years.
Camp life began early, with reveille at 6 a.m. and parade at 6.30. After breakfast the men cleaned their huts before heading out at 9.30 for field exercises on the surrounding hills. These included attacks on positions held by other companies and outpost duties, with the “enemy” identified by white cap-bands and coloured flags.
After returning to camp, the men had the afternoon largely to themselves. Some visited Swindon or Chiseldon village, while others spent time at the YMCA or NAAFI. Letter-writing was a popular occupation, particularly as the post arrived twice a day, at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
With good weather and plentiful food, the Abingdon men were expected to return home fit and thoroughly browned by the summer sun.
Telegram links Abingdon to Tragedy
A grim tragedy in a remote cottage in East Hertfordshire had an Abingdon link. Mrs Halse, aged 45, and her three children were found hanged. Mrs Halse had been separated from her husband in 1919 and was living alone with the children.
Under the couple’s separation agreement, her husband, who lived in Devon, had the right to have their two older children stay with him for a month each year. He had not exercised this right in previous years and was due to have them for the first time in 1926. He sent £10 for their travelling expenses. A telegram from a bank in Abingdon had been sent to Mrs Halse, telling her that her husband was insisting that the children should come to him as arranged. But on Saturday he received a telegram from his wife handed in at Abingdon, saying: “Impossible Monday; cannot change cheque in time. Writing.—Madge.” Mrs Halse’s names were given as Mary Magdalene Gertrude.
The father revealed that he did not know of the existence of the third child. The coroner believed this may have been the key to the tragedy. If the two older children went to Devon, their father would discover that they had a younger sister, whose existence had been kept from him.
There was a further exchange about the Abingdon telegram – signed Madge. A neighbour said Mrs Halse was not out of the village, where she lived, on the Saturday when it was sent. The neighbour was asked if he knew who had handed it in at the Abingdon Post Office. He said, “I have no idea. I don’t know where Abingdon is.”
The jury concluded that Mrs Halse had murdered her three children and then taken her own life, finding that she was of unsound mind at the time.
Abingdon Horticultural Show
The Abingdon Horticultural Show, which was held in the Abbey House grounds was again attended with success.
The perpetual silver challenge cup, given by the Society for the School gaining the highest number of points in the industrial section was won by Wootton School.
The silver challenge bowl, presented by tradesmen of Abingdon, was won by Mr H. Drew, of Longworth.
Mr. H. Westbrook was awarded the challenge cup presented by Major Ralph Glyn, M.C., M.P., for the best collection of vegetables, fruit, salad and flowers grown by a holder of an allotment of not more than 20 poles within half a mile of the Abingdon Borough boundaries.
There was also some very good exhibits in the rabbit and pigeon sections.
Numerous side shows and attractions had been arranged, and the Abingdon Town Band was in attendance. Dancing took place in the evening.
Abingdon Board of Guardians
Mr G. Saxby presided at Monday’s meeting of the Abingdon Board of Guardians when the Master reported that there were 107 inmates in the workhouse, the number for the corresponding week of last year being 100.
Thirty-six men, two women, and two children had been admitted to the casual wards during the past fortnight, this being a decrease of 32 on the corresponding period of last year.
An invitation had been received from the Secretary of Abingdon Horticultural Society for the inmates to visit the Show and about 30 had been able to go and much appreciation was expressed.
A visit to Quaint Little Abingdon
The staff of the Theatre Royal, Leamington Spa, enjoyed their annual outing in August 1926, visiting Oxford and Abingdon.
The party travelled by boat along the Thames from Oxford to what the Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth & District Daily Circular described as “the quaint little town of Abingdon.” They enjoyed a trip up the river and tea in the town before returning to Oxford for dinner.
Golf Club Pavilion Break In
George Ballard, 26, of Court 16, No. 2, Ock Street, Abingdon, and William Arthur Woodley, Court 3, No. 11, West St. Helen’s Street, were brought before the Abingdon County Bench charged with breaking into the pavilion of the Abingdon Golf Club at Shippon.
The break-in took place overnight on July 30–31, 1926. The men stole two pairs of shoes, a pair of field glasses, 23 packets of cigarettes, seven golf balls and quantities of whisky, beer and minerals, with the total value put at £7 17s 6d.
After initially being remanded in custody, both men made statements admitting the offence. They were each sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.
Bank Holiday
The holiday spirit was much in evidence across North Berkshire during the weekend, helped by fine, warm weather. Large numbers took advantage of the sunshine to get outdoors, with heavy traffic on the roads and plenty of cyclists and weekend campers about.
In Abingdon itself things were relatively quiet, as many residents spent the holiday elsewhere. Some travelled to Lockinge for the show or to Sutton Courtenay for the regatta, while the Gasworks sports at Oxford attracted others. Some travelled to the seaside on Great Western Railway excursions.
Closer to home, the tennis courts and bowling greens in Albert Park were well used, while the grounds of Abbey House offered a retreat for those seeking a quieter day. The Kinema reopened after its vacation, and a dance was held at the Corn Exchange by the Abingdon Men’s Constitutional Association.
There was particular success for Abingdon Athletic Club at the Lockinge Show Sports. They won the North Berks Championship and Sir Mortimer Singer Challenge Shield, defeating the holders, Wantage A.C., by 63 points to 18. Wantage had held the shield for four of the previous six years, making Abingdon’s emphatic victory a notable achievement.
Wedding with list of presents
At the Trinity Wesleyan Church on Tuesday Miss Nan Ricketts, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ricketts, Oxford Road, Abingdon, was married to Mr. Henry Palmer Tame, of Leek, Staffordshire, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Tame, of The Vineyard, Abingdon.
The Rev. N. E. Dando officiated, and Mrs. Dando was at the organ. Mr. H. Edgington carried out the duties of “best man.”
The bridesmaids were the Misses Joan and Barbara Ricketts (nieces of the bride), and the Misses Clara and Alice Tame (sisters of the bridegroom).
The bride was attired in a dress of white and silver metal brocade, with Juliet cap of orange blossoms and tulle veil, and carried a bouquet of white and pink carnations.
The Misses Tame were in eau-de-nil georgette, with beige crinoline hats, and carried bouquets of shaded pink sweet peas, and the Misses Ricketts wore green crepe-de-chine dresses with silver leaf hair bands and carried bouquets of sweet peas.
The start of the present list read as follows:
Bridegroom to bride—Mauve enamel and silver-fitted dressing-case.
Bride to bridegroom—Set of golf clubs and bag.
Bride’s mother—Silver tea-service, household linen and electric standard lamp.
Bride’s father—Cheque.
Bridegroom’s parents—Canteen of cutlery.
The Misses Tame—Brass candlesticks.
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Ricketts—Two-valve wireless set in mahogany case.
The Misses Barbara and Joan and Master Tony Ricketts—Oak and brass letter and newspaper rack.
Mr. G. F. Ricketts—Silver cruet.
Mrs. Moores—Silver fruit-dish.
Mrs. Mears (London)—Electric light-shade.
Mr. H. Edgington and Miss Appleton—Boot and shoe-cabinet.
Mr. and Mrs. Brackley (Watford)—Pair of framed pictures.
Mr. C. A. Pryce—Silver spoons.
Mr. G. E. Winship, A.M.I.C.E., and Miss Winship—Silver butter-dish.
Miss Carter—Cut-glass salad-bowl.
Miss James—Salt cellars.
Mr. and Mrs. Scarrott—Oak tea-tray.
Mrs. and Miss Broxup (Hastings)—Breakfast-set and tray.
Mr. Benbow (Leek)—Silver sardine-dish.
Mrs. Jackman (Leek)—Leather wallet.
Mrs. Ball (Watford)—Cheque.
Mr. and Mrs. Batty—Pair of flower-bowls.
Mrs. Salmon (Thame)—Fruit-dish.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith—Bag and cushions.
Mrs. Carter (London)—Silver vase.
…
Hospital Board
The Medical Officer reported that since the last meeting there had been 12 admissions — three of diphtheria, eight scarlet fever, and one of enteric. There were 15 patients in the Isolation Hospital and 22 in the Sanatorium.
The Matron reported that she had to thank the following for gifts: Miss Hooke, magazines; Mrs. Lowry, buns; Miss Mollie Langford, fruit; Mrs. Tatham, cake; British Red Cross Society, parcel of books; Waifs and Strays Society, flowers; Mrs. Ruby, books and papers; Primitive Methodist anniversary, jam and eggs; Police Sports, teas; Mrs. Ernest Langford, fruit, books and cakes; the Madrigal Quartette, a concert and fruit; Mrs. Duffield, flowers, magazines and sweets.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to the British Newspaper Archive for access to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette for some stories; the Dundee Courier for the story of the tragedy; the Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth & District Daily Circular for quaint Abingdon; to the North Berks Herald microfilm at Abingdon Library for additional stories and the advert; and to the Oxford Journal at Oxford Library for the photographs of the New Vicar, Fishing and Earl of Abingdon.
