Work on patching up Conduit House in Albert Park was completed a few weeks ago. What started as a simple project to re-lime the joints became more complicated. This picture shows that patching was needed, and wall ties.

Conduit House is not far from Trinity Church and is older. Trinity Church was opened in 1875, the year Conduit House last acted as a cistern to collect water from natural springs and conduit water to the residents of Ock Street.

The ancient building belonged to Abingdon Abbey – which closed in 1538, and was passed to the current owner, Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon, in 1553.

Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon laid out £31,000, the major part of the cost of the remedial work. The work was also funded partly by the Oxfordshire Buildings Trust, a charity that gives grants to maintain ancient buildings in Oxfordshire. ‘The Oxfordshire Buildings Trust was established to help preserve Oxfordshire’s historical, and architectural heritage. It also offers grant aid, advice, and campaigns on heritage and conservation issues. If you have an ancient building (not a church) you could try them. Churches have their own charity – the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust.

7th October

The Abingdon evening schools commence next week. Despite the rapid advance of education in recent years and the fixing for school leaving at 14 years, most lads and girls can benefit from continuation classes.

A fortnight’s Church mission commenced in Abingdon last Saturday, and terminates Monday next. The Missioner is the Rev. Canon Ragg, the newly appointed Oxford Diocesan Missioner. The Missioner is assisted by several Women of the Diocese and several Oxford Undergraduates. Besides the several services in St Helen’s and St. Nicholas Churches, mission services will be held in the Corn Exchange, and at the factories in the town.

The Abingdon Golf Club held its annual meeting in the Roysse Room, on Wednesday evening last week, when a very satisfactory report and balance sheet was produced by the Secretary, Mr E. Woodbouse. The President presided, and is to present a trophy to the Club to be played for the members. The accounts showed balance the year’s working of £20 17s 4d. The number of members were given as 68. of which number 18 were ladies.

Abingdon Town Football Club went to Banbury where they met Banbury Athletic F.C. in the preliminary round of the English Amateur Cup. and lost by 3 goals to 1.

The Borough Court magistrates present on Tuesday were Councilors H, T. Clarke, R. W. Langford, and Mr J Ricketts, Several landlords public houses made application for extension of hours during the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair on Monday and Tuesday next. The magistrates decided to grant extensions from 2.30 to 4.30 on the afternoons of the fair to those who applied on Friday.

At the Abingdon Cattle Market on Monday the supply of sheep was small but other fat and store stock was well represented.
14th October

The Abingdon Michaelmas Fair was held on Monday and Tuesday this week and was reminiscent of pre-war days as regards its size. The incoming of the traction engines with their strings of lorries and caravans, chiefly from stands in the Culham and Marcham roads, was witnessed by a large number of people. And the rapidity with which the huge stands were erected excited great interest. Most excitement centred around the chair-of-plane, which paid its initial visit to the town, and was staged at the lower end of Ock Street where it found many patrons. The lorries and living vans were stationed in adjacent streets and early on Sunday morning, the showmen were ready. On Monday morning, the children on holiday from schools were earliest abroad to explore the amusements. And shortly afterwards, there was a large influx of country folk and passengers by the Oxford motor buses of which there was an augmented service. Conjuring by an ‘Indian Prince’ attracted a large crowd. And if only the Chancellor of the Exchequer could produce sovereigns by waving his hand in the air as this prince did the national debt would quickly disappear. The usual freaks and monstrosities were hidden behind canvas walls, while vendors of cheap jewellery, gaudy ornaments, and various other articles were prominent. The majority of the stores boasted signs, which conveyed the meaning that they gave something for nothing. But those who parted with their money found this was not so in every case. The switchbacks and roundabouts were kept busy, but money was not so free as formally. The crowds on Monday and Tuesday nights were very orderly. And there were no charges arising from the fair before the bench, which sat on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Most of the shows and roundabouts remained for the second day, but were roused early on Wednesday morning by the police sergeant with orders to ‘get a move on.’ And as early as 9:30 am the streets have been cleared of the lorries and cleaned of the refuse. The only accident at the fair occurred on Mrs Bird’s roundabout on Tuesday evening. A young lad named Wells was riding on the roundabout when the pole snapped and threw him on the road—having been seen by the Doctor he was allowed home, having received a severe shaking.

A cordial invitation to all ex-Servicemen to attend the smoking concert organised by the Abingdon Branch of the British Legion to be held in the Clubroom, the ‘Barley Mow.’

The rainfall in Abingdon for the past nine months is reported as registered at 22.01 inches, whilst that for the past month was 1.42 inches.

The proceeds of the Abingdon Baptist Church Harvest Festival were given to the furnishing funds of the Baptist Hall, lately acquired. The amount was over £12.

Monday being Michaelmas Fair day, the supply of stock was somewhat short.

Saturday’s Football for Abingdon teams included a match on the Town ground between Abingdon Town F.C. and Culham College Students in the North Berks League. The match was clean and well contested, but the home team eventually won by 3 to 1. The Pavlova team on their ground met Sutton Courtenay in Berks and Bucks Junior Cup, the Pavlova winning by 9 goals to 3.
21st October

The second (or run-a-way) Michaelmas Fair was held on Monday last, when the Market Place was filled with stalls, the chief attraction being the Chair-o-planes and Wilson’s Switchbacks.

The Abingdon branch of the Farmers’ Union held their monthly meeting at the Lion Hotel, Abingdon, on Thursday evening last. Mr Pullen presiding. Several new members were elected, bringing the number up to 130 members. The question of wages was discussed, and the meeting agreed to a weekly wage of 25s per week till the end of next month. The high charges for thrashing corn were also debated, the price being 50s per day. It was decided to ask for a revision of the charges on a basis of 40s per day including two men. The enforcement of the Rookery Act, of 1918, which allowed farmers to enter rookeries to destroy rooks was strongly supported, and it was resolved to petition the Executive Council on the subject.

A mental defective youth named Cecil Glover, an inmate of the Abingdon Union, was allowed to visit Abingdon Fair in the charge of a warder with three other inmates, when Glover absconded, but was soon found. He was brought up Friday in last week at the Borough Court, the magistrates sending him back to the Workhouse pending being sent to a home.

Mr J. Roff, Spring Road. Abingdon, for 16 years superintendent of the Abingdon Wesley Sunday School and formerly nearly 20 years in the Oxford circuit, has been awarded by the S S Union with a Diploma of Honour, in recognition of his valuable S S work.

28th October

On November 1st four members of the Town Council terminate their present period of service and speculation is rife as to whether any fresh faces will be seen around the Council table on Mayor-choosing day.

The Mayor (Councillor Claude Rippon) at the request of a large number of townspeople agreed to be nominated as Mayor of Abingdon for a second year. In politics the Mayor is Conservative.

At the Abingdon Police Court on Thursday last, Frederick Innes, of Shippon Abingdon, was brought up in custody for being drunk and disorderly in the Market Place the previous day. The accused said he was a war pensioner and had had shellshock. On promising to leave the drink alone he was discharged.

The Abingdon Rural District Council at a meeting last week, decided to reduce the roadmen’s wages from 30s per week to 25s ,viz, 2s 6d per week from Oct.2lst.and another 2s from the following week.

The Mayor of Abingdon opened the winter programme of the Abingdon Literary and Debating society at the Social Club room, Ock Street, on Monday, with a very interesting lecture on ‘Self-preservation amongst butterflies and moths.’ There was a good attendance.

At St. Helen’s Church, Abingdon, on Thursday in last week, the interesting marriage took place of the Rev. Lionel A Howe, of Brattlebury. Lincs, and Miss Hebe Morland. only daughter of the late Major G. Morland, of Abingdon, and grand-daughter of Alderman J. T. Morland, Abingdon, who gave the bride away. The Church was nicely decorated for the occasion, the service was choral, and there was a large congregation

At the County Bench on Monday, Harry Wigley farmer, Long Whittenham, was fined £1 in each case for failing to deliver a movement order in respect of 40 and 17 pigs, and was also fined £2 in each case for removing them contrary to the Swine Fever Regulations. The pigs had been removed from the Reading Market

At the Borough Police Court,, George Young, of 3 Start Street, Abingdon, was charged with using his dwelling house for the purposes of betting, and William Higgs, for abetting the defendant. The Court was crowded, both defendants being well-known in the town. The police made a raid on the premises and found betting slips and monies etc. The Bench, after a lengthy hearing, convicted them in both cases, Young being fined £20 and Higgs £5, including costs.

Thank you for the extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive.

Adverts and the story of the fair are brought to you with help from the Nork Berks Herald.

From 13th to 15th October in The Barn at Christ Church, Abingdon, people celebrated the richness and depth of African History.

In previous days there has been poetry, storytelling, drama and history. Today the Pearly Gates Church, Abingdon (who meet at Fitzharry’s School) gave a history presentation about Ghana and the Asanti Empire, followed by a drama where the Asanti King and Queen judged a dispute.

The King and Queen then watched the Adowa dance from Ghana. Afterwards, there was a chance for everybody to learn some steps and hand moves.

Alongside the stage was The Caribbean Living Room, showing how people lived in the 1950s and 60s after the Windrush and other ships brought people to the UK from the Caribbean.

The exhibition included biographies of great Africans, books, memorabilia, and African art and craft.

2nd September

The only cases before the Abingdon Police Court on Tuesday were Cyril Brett, West St. Helen Street, fined for riding a bicycle without a light on 17th August, and Arthur Fathers, fined 6s, and Charles Wheeler, fined 7s for “committing a nuisance in a public thoroughfare”.

There was a good supply of stock at the market on Monday. Fat beasts made up to £36 5s: calves £9 2s 6d; fat sheep £5 7s; lambs £4 6s; store lambs 44s; fat hogs £1217s; porkers £6 10s.

On Thursday last Wantage bowls club played their return match, with Abingdon Club on the latter’s ground. The scores were Abingdon 69 points, Wantage 44.

Mr W. J. Lawson, secretary of the Abingdon Trade and Labour Council has resigned from that office, and Mr E. Bedford has been appointed to succeed him. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Lawson.

The Abingdon Wesleyans and the Primitive Methodists joined together in their Sunday School treat on Thursday last week when the party enjoyed a river trip to Wallingford. Tea was served in the Wallingford Town Hall.

On Wednesday evening a boy, the six-year-old son of Mr Bartlett, of 96 Ock Street, Abingdon, fell off Abingdon Bridge into the river, when Edward Webb, of Gaol Yard, pluckily jumped off the bridge and rescued the lad, before the current had taken him. He was none the worse.

The funeral of the late Mr F. O. Townsend took place on Wednesday last week in the Abingdon Cemetery. The deceased was the son of the late Mr T. M. Townsend, formerly owner of the Abingdon Tower Brewery. He was educated at Abingdon Grammar School, and afterwards articled to Dr Galpin, solicitor, of Oxford. The deceased was 48 years of age and was for several years a member of the Abingdon Town Council, and also of the Berks Yeomanry. He was on active service in East Africa during the war. He was married to the elder daughter of Mr E. Robson, of Stockham, Wantage.

9th September

Sir F. Gore-Browne, K.C. died while asleep. The deceased was a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Abingdon County Bench. The medical evidence at the inquest at Oakley House, near Abingdon yesterday showed that death was due to suffocation. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned. Lady Gore-Browne stated that her husband enjoyed good health. On the morning previous to his death he was playing golf. He had made arrangements to go to the South of France and Switzerland early this month. He had a glass of milk before going to bed. A manservant stated that he took a cup of tea upstairs on Saturday morning and received no answer to his knock, but went in and up to the bed. The deceased was lying on his left side in a straight position, with his left nostril against his finger. His face was above the clothes. There was no sign of any disturbance. Dr Woodward attributed death to suffocation, due to the deceased’s hand partially covering his mouth and his thumb covering his left nostril.

Early on Saturday Morning last, the death occurred at his residence in Bath Street of Mr Frederick William Ballard, head of the widely known firm of Ballard & Son, iron founders and agricultural implement agents. No townsman could be more highly respected, his gentle and unassuming manner bringing him many friends. He was forty -eight years a valued member of St Helen’s Choir.

The semi-finals and final of the Abingdon Bowling Club for the President’s silver challenge bowl came off Thursday last week on the Albert Park green when the weather was very propitious. The semi-finalists were Messrs C. H. Johnson (captain), L A. King (holder of the bowl), J. B. Greenwood and W. Thomas. The final was between the captain and the holder, with the result that Mr Johnson beat Mr King by 21—18. It was a very interesting and keenly contested game. The Mayoress of Abingdon distributed the prizes.
16th September

At the Baptist Church on Sunday morning, the Rev. J.P. Morris preached the annual Schisms Sermon which is required to be preached in that church by a provision made many years ago for the purpose of reminding succeeding generations of the attempt made towards the end of the reign of Queen Anne – 1702 to 1714 – to crush out non-conformists from the land by closing their academies for the education of ministers and forbidding any of them to act as school masters. The sermon preaching from Rev 2 v 13 ‘Thou holdest fast my name and has not denied my faith’ dealt in an original way with the history of the period and of the Queen who is described in history as ‘without ability and bigoted in religion.’

The Abingdon Pavlova Football Club commenced their season with a home fixture on Saturday last, meeting the Reading Temperance team.  Both sides showed some good form, but the home team were victorious by 2-1.

23rd September

Last Saturday the Abingdon Town F. C. opened their season with a match in the 1st Division of the North Berks League when they met on the Abingdon ground the R.A.0.C. Didcot, the home team being the victors by 3 goals to nil.

On Thursday afternoon and evening last week the Abingdon Branch of the Y.M.C A and Boy Scouts held a garden fete on the grounds of Sir George Dashwood, The Warren, Radley Road, Abingdon, The wet weather greatly interfered with the programme, the Scouts display having to take place in the garage.

The Rev. R C, MacKeown B A., for several years Assistant Priest, at St. Helen’s Church, Abingdon, has accepted the living of the Church of St. Martin, Fenny Stratford. Mr MacKeown was of Trinity College Dublin, ordained about 10 years- ago and licensed to Abingdon curacy. During the war, he was a chaplain to the Forces, on the French and Belgian fronts, and was mentioned in despatches by Field- Marshall Haig.

On Thursday last week, the Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary services terminated with an afternoon service in the Chapel, the preacher being the Rev. George Parkinson, of Croydon. In the evening the annual prize giving took place in the Schoolroom when addresses were given by the Rev. G. Parkinson, and the Pastor (Rev. Norman Dando, the newly appointed minister at Trinity Wesleyan Church).

Probate has been granted to Mr A. Harris, Surbiton, of the will of his late brother, the late Alderman Edward John Harris, and four times mayor of Abingdon, who died in January last, the gross value being £11,112 9s 10d with a net personality of £5,108 5s 2d.

The Abingdon Young Helpers League, in aid of Dr Barnardo’s Homes, have collected in boxes the sum of £13 8s 7d for the year’s subscription. The prize for the highest amount in the boxes was awarded to Miss Joan Stark, with a total of £1 7s 10d.

23rd September

Evidence of a plentiful harvest was to be seen in the churches on Sunday at harvest festivals. St Helen’s Church was strikingly decorated, noticeable features being the rood screen and the corner where the gifts of the Girls National School were placed.

St Michael’s was also beautifully decorated, especially the altar, which was a perfect study in colour harmony.

At St Nicolas, the decorations were pretty and plentiful. The collections at the three churches were in aid of local hospitals and amounted to £26 10s 7d.

The harvest festival at Trinity Weslayan Church saw the church tastefully decorated, the produce being sold on Monday and the money devoted to local hospitals.

At the Salvation army, a special structure was erected with a tier of shelves for the produce and goods, which was filled with plates of fruit vegetables bread etc. The platform was decorated with an arch covered with evergreen and hops.

30th September

A large crowd congregated on the towpath and on Abingdon Bridge on Monday afternoon to witness the swimming and water-cycle display given by Miss Zeta Hills, the channel cyclist. The cycle was her own invention and crossed the channel on August 16, 1920.

An interesting wedding took place in Abingdon Register Office on Saturday last, when Mr W H Turner, aged 77, a police pensioner, was married to Miss M Fruin, aged 64. On leaving the office the couple were met by friends who heartily congratualted them.

Thank you for the extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive.

Adverts and the story of Zeta Hills and the Harvest Festivals are brought to you with help from the Nork Berks Herald. The picture of Zeta Hills comes in a Pathe News feature at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihre_soGpoU.