News

Premier’s Daughter Recuperating
Miss Sheila MacDonald, the youngest daughter of Ramsey MacDonald, the Prime Minister, is recovering from a severe illness at Wick Hall near Abingdon. She is staying with Mr. William Docker Drysdale, a Berkshire magistrate. Despite differing political opinions, the families are close. Sheila is 13 years old.

Abingdon Division Polling Place
Mr. E. A. Lessing, the Member for the Abingdon Division, has taken action to address the lack of polling facilities in the widely-scattered division. He has reached out to the chairmen of all parish councils and meetings, highlighting provisions in the Act of Parliament and offering support to improve voting facilities.

Court Hearings

Motor Car Obstruction
In the Borough Police Court, Robert Stanley Godwin was summoned for obstruction after leaving his motor car in Stert Street, Abingdon, on the 12th of the month. A police constable testified that the car remained parked in the narrow street for an extended period, causing an obstruction to the main entrance of the town. Despite not appearing in court, Godwin acknowledged the offense in a letter. As a result, a fine of 10 shillings was imposed.

Cigarette Machine Theft
In the Borough Police Court, Albert William Goodenough, an 18-year-old labourer from Abingdon, was charged with stealing cigarettes from an automatic machine owned by Joseph E. Gibbens, a tobacconist in Abingdon. The prosecutor had noticed tampering with the machine, including the insertion of foreign coins and farthings instead of sixpences. Upon catching Goodenough in the act, he said, “I am sorry. I put a dud in. I did not mean to.” The accused’s grandfather vouched for his good character, stating he was employed at 21s. per week. Despite complaints about such machines being outside shops and a great temptation, Goodenough was bound over for 12 months, with his grandfather as surety.

Order for Eviction
At the County Bench, on Monday, Harold E. Alden, of Oxford, farmer, and butcher, applied for an order of eviction against Isaac Buckingham, the occupier of a farm cottage at Fyfield, belonging to the complainant. The Bench made an order for eviction within 28 days.

Social Events in Abingdon

Dance for Charity
A dance was held in the Council Chamber on Saturday evening in aid of the Home for Blind Babies. The music was supplied by Mr. F. B. Rawlinson’s band.

Literary and Debating Society
In connection with this society, a lecture was given at the Roysse Rooms on Monday evening by the Mayor of Abingdon (Mr. C. Rippon) on “How a modern newspaper is produced.”

Annual Social by Liberal Association
The Abingdon District Liberal Association held their annual social in the Corn Exchange. Mr. A. E. Lessing, M.P., was present and received an enthusiastic reception.

Conservative Social Gathering
A large number of members and friends attended the annual social meeting of the Abingdon and District Conservative Association. The event took place on Wednesday last in the Abingdon Corn Exchange, featuring a lively programme and an address on the political situation by Major Glyn, the Conservative candidate for the division.

Slate Entertainment
The Wesleyan Trinity Slate Club hosted a successful social evening, with membership nearing 150. They also initiated a holiday fund with weekly contributions. The “Graham Concert Party” provided enjoyable musical entertainment, with gratitude expressed by Rev. N. E. Dando, the Wesleyan minister.

Sunday School Tea
Congregational Sunday school scholars had a delightful tea and entertainment event. Mr. L. A. King entertained the children with magic tricks, and musical performances by various individuals were well-received. Buns, and oranges were distributed.

Abingdon Citizen’s Party
The Abingdon Corn Exchange on Friday evening was filled with happy young people at a children’s party given by Mr. A. E. Lessing, Liberal M.P. for the Division.

Miscellaneous

Deaths in Abingdon
During the month of January, the number of deaths in Abingdon borough was eleven. The ages ranged from 26 to 89 years.

Exam Success
Mr. Reginald Stacey, a resident of Abingdon, achieved success in the December examinations of the London Association of Accountants, passing the final examination. His educational journey began at the Abingdon Charity School, where he earned a scholarship at Roysse School. Subsequently, he gained valuable experience as a clerk at Messrs. Challenor and Son, solicitors in Abingdon, under the guidance of Mr. John Cowburn, an experienced Poor Law Clerk. In recent years, Mr. Stacey has been employed in the Taxation Department at the Oxfordshire County Hall in Oxford.

Societies

The Royal British Legion
During the annual meeting of the Berkshire County Council of the British Legion, Major-General Sir W. de S. Cayley reported significant progress in the county, with a total of 29 branches. New branches were established in various locations, including Burghfield, Maidenhead, Thiele, Twyford, and Lower Whitley. The Didcot branch, previously inactive, was successfully reorganized and was now thriving. However, branches in Abingdon, Woodley, and Pangbourne were at risk of disappearing. Efforts were particularly focused on saving the Abingdon branch, with the Council making vigorous attempts that could lead to success.

Philanthropic Institution Report
The annual report of the Abingdon Philanthropic Institution had increased giving to the “meritorious poor” in the borough.

League of Nations Union Meeting
A meeting of the Abingdon local group of the League of Nations Union were addressed by Professor Gilbert Murray who focused on the League’s efforts to prevent war and protect small nations.

Sport

Football Match Report: Wantage vs. Pavlova
Wantage Town faced Pavlova in the Reading and District League, Division 1, at Westfields, Abingdon. Despite a valiant effort, Wantage Town suffered defeat with a final score of Pavlova 3, Wantage 2.

Disciplinary actions
Reports emerged of disciplinary actions in various matches: C. Harris was censured for misconduct in a Stevenson vs. Drayton match, while R. Wootton received a 14-day suspension for misbehaviour in a match between Brightwell and Aston at Aston Tirrold. Furthermore, J. Erricker of Berks’ Mental Hospital was suspended indefinitely for kicking and striking a player after being ordered off the field in a match against Moreton in the North Berks League.

Local Billiards Match
The Abingdon Young Social Club hosted a billiards match against Pavlova, and won all four matches, and so kept up the club’s reputation of producing talent in the sport.

Thank you for the news extracts and adverts from the Reading Standard, Reading Observer and Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette in the British Newspaper Archive. Also, thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in Abingdon Library for the adverts.
Other pictures were:
Abbey Gateway in Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 19 February 1924
Premier’s daughter in Leeds Mercury – Thursday 14 February 1924
Anglo Saxon Jewellery from Abingdon in the Illustrated London News – Saturday 16 February 1924

Abingdon High Street, from a postcard, dated Oct 9 – 1905. The message says ‘Dear Hilda, I hope you will like this one fore your collection this street is full up with the fair this morning. With much love from Louis.’ It shows Cheapside House above what is now Howden Insurance (corrected).

Abingdon High Street 2024. Can you spot any differences?

P.S. Click here to see how other City Daily Photo bloggers illustrate the theme of “street corner.”

Board of Guardians Abingdon Union:
The Master, Mr. Charles Howard, reported 110 inmates in the house, as against 96 in the corresponding period of last year. The officers and inmates thanked the Guardians for the extras provided during Christmas when they had a very enjoyable time.

Abingdon Borough Court:
Frank Ride of Ock Street, Abingdon, was fined £5 for riding a bicycle without lights in Ock Street on Christmas Eve.

Feast of Epiphany:
On the Feast of Epiphany (Sunday), a very devotional and excellently rendered service was given in St. Helen’s Church in the afternoon, and a large congregation assembled. The choir was a mixed one.

New Management at Messrs. Brind Gillingham & Co., Ltd.:
New management has taken place, whereby Mr. George F. Palmer, Stert Street, Abingdon, has taken up the position of Chairman of directors, with Mr. H. Brind as vice-chairman and secretary.

Board of Guardians Abingdon Union:
The Abingdon Guardians have been somewhat perturbed in consequence of the report of the Ministry of Health on the costs of indoor maintenance of various Unions in the districts. The report stated that the average cost was 10s. 8d per week per inmate, but that Abingdon Union had the second-highest cost per inmate on the list of Unions in the Central Division, which was 14s. per week per head, with Oxford City topping the list at 14s. 8d. A special committee was appointed to consider the subject.

Bowling Club Dinner:
The annual dinner of the Abingdon Bowling Club took place at the Lion Hotel, High Street, on Wednesday last, when Alderman J. E. Cottrell presided in the absence of the President (Alderman A. E. Preston) due to ill-health. The visitors included members of the Oxford City and South Oxford Bowling Club. The toast of “Success to the Abingdon Bowling Club” was proposed, and club prizes presented for the past season.

Trinity Wesleyan Church Services:
At both services at Trinity Wesleyan Church on Sunday, sympathetic reference was made to the great loss Methodism had sustained in the death of the Reverend Granger Hargreaves. The Reverend gentleman was a favourite preacher at Abingdon. After the evening service, the congregation stood while the organ played ‘O rest in the Lord.’

Three Men in a Pub:
Three men were seen in a public house in Abingdon on Monday night whose combined ages totalled 248. Their individual ages were 95, 81, and 73.

Death of Master of Abingdon Union:
The death of Mr. Charles Howard, Master of the Abingdon Poor Law Institution, took place after a short illness on Friday morning at his residence. The deceased was able to attend the Board of Guardians on the previous Monday and presented his report as usual, and then seemed in his usual health. He fell ill on the same evening, and he developed double pneumonia. The deceased was 43 years of age and leaves a widow and three children. Deceased had held the post at Abingdon for nearly four years, having taken up his duties in April 1919, his wife became Matron. During the war, this Union was used as a V.A.D. hospital, and deceased joined the R.F.A. and went to France and Italy. Deceased was respected in his official capacity and was by his kind and courteous nature liked by the inmates of the Union. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Cemetery. The wreaths numbered over 50.

The British Empire Cancer Campaign:
Miss B. Challenor thanks all who contributed to the above fund. The amount collected was £11 14 shillings, and this has been forwarded to the British Red Cross Society, Berkshire Branch.

Unity Sunday:
Next Sunday is known as Unity Sunday among the free churches. The outward and visible sign of this locally is seen in the exchange of pulpits. Next Sunday, Reverend E. Dando goes to the Primitives, Reverend J.P. Morris to the Wesleyans, and Ensign Berry to the Baptist Church. Due to special circumstances, the Congregational Church will not join in the movement next Sunday, but it is hoped that arrangements will be carried out later with another church.

Children’s Fancy Dress Ball:
Organized by Miss M. Challenor, in aid of the local Boy Scouts Association, the ball was held in the council chamber on Saturday afternoon. With over 60 children present, games and dancing were indulged in. A fancy-dressed competition was held, judged by Lady Norman and Mrs. Cooper. Geraldine Docker was awarded the first prize in the girls’ section for an excellent representation of a Hawaiian. Maureen Stone, a dainty little fairy, was judged worthy of the second prize. In the boys’ section, Michael Austin gained premier honours as a Dutch boy, while Norman Challenor was successful in obtaining the second prize as a red Indian. Special prizes were awarded to Mickey Thorburn (blue elf on a silver moon), John Viney (duckling), and Winnie Long (Jackie Coogan). Other contestants worthy of note were Pearl Belcher (tent), Miss C. Fletcher (Viking), and Miss C. Belcher (Reckitt’s Blue).

Abingdon Pavlova 0 Abingdon Town 4:
The local derby between Abingdon Town and Pavlova played on Westfield last Saturday ended in victory for the town by four goals to nil. Pavlova lacked the service of some players, which necessitated much alteration in the team.

North Court Women’s Institute:
On January 4th, the members of the Institute gave a Christmas party, with all North Court children up to 14 years of age, irrespective of whether their mothers belong to the Institute or not. Miss Tathum gave a Christmas tree with toys for the children, and all members received a bag of sweets. The members amply provided refreshments, and the surplus was sent to the Abingdon Union Institution to provide treats for the little children.

Regarding the Railway Strike:
Cullen Stores informed us that they’ve made complete arrangements for road delivery of goods from all parts, thus assuring the public adequate supplies. There’ll be no increase in prices, with any extra cost of transport being borne by Cullen’s.

Post Office Annual Dinner:
About 40 members of the postal staff sat down under the chairmanship of Mr. Fisher, sub-postmaster, to a dinner at the Assembly rooms on Saturday. The dinner was followed by an excellent musical program.

Death of an Old Inhabitant:
There passed away during the week one of Abingdon’s oldest and most respected inhabitants, Mr. George James Vickers. The deceased was in business for many years in Ock Street and was well-known in the town and neighbourhood. He had been a member of the Wesleyan Church for 54 years, until recently acting as a sidesman. Some years ago, he retired from business, and although he had attained the great age of 83, he had enjoyed good health until the last month or so.

Thank you for the news extracts and adverts from the Wiltshire Herald and Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette in the British Newspaper Archive. The photographs came from the Oxford Journal Illustrated. Also, thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in Abingdon Library for some stories and adverts and the cartoon.

Election Activities at Abingdon
Around 2 p.m. on Saturday, an aeroplane landed in the Abingdon Corporation Farm field near Abingdon, opposite Caldecott House, Caldecott Road. The machine’s pilot was Mr. J. Sperry, who recently arrived from America to tour in his aeroplane and currently serves as a messenger for the Liberals. He left a package for the Liberal candidate for the North Berkshire Division (Mr. E. A. Lessing) in his room. On Tuesday, a final rally was held in the Corn Exchange, Abingdon, with Mr E. A. Lessing, Chief Liberal and Free Trade candidate, as the main speaker. A concluding rally for the Conservatives took place in the Corn Exchange on Wednesday, led by Major R. C. Glyn, the candidate.

Football
Abingdon Pavlova lost to Slough by 6-2 in the Final Qualifying Round of the Amateur Cup.

Election Results
The polling in the Abingdon Division resulted in a Liberal triumph, with Mr. E. A. Lessing, who was defeated by 540 votes a year ago, securing the seat with a margin over Major Glyn, the Conservative nominee. (Major Glyn succeeded as the candidate after the retirement of Mr. A. T. Loyd, for health reasons.)

The figures were as follows:—
1923 election:
E. A. Lessing (L.) 10,932
Major GLYN (C.) 10,678
Majority 254
1922 election:
A. T. Loyd (C.), 10,501;
E. A. Lessing (L.), 9,967.
Conservative majority: 534.

Mr. LESSING, M.P., speaking after the declaration of the poll, emphasised that they had achieved victory in the cause of protecting the food of the people.

Major GLYN, addressing a crowd of supporters from the balcony of the Queen’s Hotel, expressed his appreciation for the work his friends had done.

Fatal Motor Accident
A tragic incident occurred on the Drayton Road near Abingdon late on Tuesday night. Mr. W. Shepherd, son of Mr. George W. Shepherd of Park Crescent, Abingdon, was fatally injured while going to fetch the police to a rick fire. The accident took place when a party from the Abingdon Fire Brigade was being driven in a private motor car to the same rick fire at Sutton Wick. Deceased, riding a motorcycle from the opposite direction, collided with the car, resulting in fatal injuries.

Confirmation
A Confirmation service was held in St. Helen’s Church, Abingdon, on Sunday afternoon by the Bishop of Oxford in the presence of a large congregation. The candidates numbered 80 and included several from the Girls’ High School and Abingdon Grammar School, and also from Marcham and Shippon.

Y.M.C.A. reopens
The Y.M.C.A. club rooms in West St Helen Street have been redecorated and reopened last week by the President (Mr. H. T. Clarke, J.P.). The proceedings included a musical program and addresses by the Chairman and others. Towards the cost of the renovation, subscriptions amounting to £20 7s. 8d. have been raised, but there is still a deficit on the current account of about £60.

Funeral
The funeral of the late Mr. A. H. Shaw, eldest son of Mr. A. T. Shaw, Stert Street, took place at the cemetery on Thursday afternoon in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends. The late Mr. Shaw was the senior partner in the firm of Shaw and Sons, outfitters, Abingdon, and was 52 years of age. Deceased was a member of the Fire Brigade, the Liberal Club, East End Slate Club, the R.A.O.B., and the Bowyer Lodge of Oddfellows; representatives of each society attended the funeral. The floral tributes were numerous.

Football
In the Reading Town Cup competition, Abingdon Pavlova won 4-1 against Caversham Rovers.
Abingdon Town won 4-1 against Wallingford in the North Berks Charity Shield.

Borough Bench
* Two men were fined £1 each for violating the Animal Removal Restriction Order. The order prohibits removing animals from the Abingdon Cattle Market without a license.
* One man was fined for riding a bicycle without a light.
* One man was fined for being drunk and disorderly in Stert Street.
* The renewal of a cinema licence was granted to Mr. Walter Thatcher for Stert Street, and a licence for stage plays at the Corn Exchange was granted to Mr. J. H. Viner on behalf of the Corporation.

Other News
* The Town Council has approved the acquisition of the remaining 11 acres of the Box Hill building site from the ministry of health.
* Members of the Congregational Church have raised £4 11s 10p for St Dunstan’s who help blinded ex servicemen.
* Christmas festivities at the Girls’ Council School were a resounding success with a party for the juniors and a dance and supper for the seniors.
* The isolation hospital and sanatorium were adorned with festive decorations, and Santa Claus delivered presents to young patients.
* The Mayor of Abingdon is recovering well from a recent operation.

Thank you for the news extracts and adverts from the Reading Standard and Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette and Westminster Gazette in the British Newspaper Archive. The picture of the aeroplane came from the Westminster Gazette. Also, thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in Abingdon Library for some adverts and the picture of E. A. Lessing.