5th August

The Abingdon Cattle Market was somewhat thinly attended on Monday last, farmers being busy with the hay harvest. The following Monday is Bank Holiday and no market will be held.

The Abingdon Golf Club on Thursday last met at Frilford Heath in singles and foursomes. Frilford were victorious in both scores:
Singles: Frilford 16, Abingdon 2
Foursomes: Frilford 6½ Abingdon 1½.

The funeral of John Brown, an old Abingdon bellringer, took place in the Abingdon Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. For 50 years, he was a ringer in St. Helen’s belfry, having retired about seven years ago. A muffled peal was rung at St. Helen’s on the evening of the funeral.

The death took place in the Abingdon Isolation Hospital last week of a prominent local footballer, in the person of S. J Didcock, of Clifton Hampden, at the early age of 37 years. For many years he played for Long Wittenham as an outside right and last season he played at right half.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Abingdon, last Thursday evening, at the Abingdon Council Chambers, held an official reception of the members of the Berks Archaeological Society. There were addresses on the history of the borough by Mr James Townsend, and the mace, and the borough plate by Revd P. H. Ditchfield. There was also a visit to the grounds of the late Bishop of Reading, in which extensive excavations are being carried out. For almost a hundred years, after the dissolution of the Abbey, the area had been used as a sort of stone quarry. So thoroughly had the foundations been removed, then nearly all that remained was ditches filled with rubble showing where once foundations had been. From the first spade, human remains were found in almost every place. In one place, massive stone foundations were found that at present remain unidentified with any particular part of the churches known to have occupied the site (Norman or Saxon). The results of the excavation so far attained were inconclusive but help to limit the area within which the Norman church, or Saxon churches, could have stood.

12th August

Through the generosity of Mr & Mrs T Tatham, some sixty-odd inmates of the Poor Law Institution (Workhouse) were entertained at Northcourt House on Tuesday. The older inmates were conveyed by Motor and, on arrival, found that games and entertainments had been arranged for them. Miss Stephens, who sang many old-fashioned English Songs, was especially popular. A willing band of lady helpers served tea, and prizes were awarded to the winners of the games. The old people returned to the institution after giving three hearty cheers to Mr & Mrs Tatham.

About 11pm on Thursday week, Mr R Legge, son of Alderman and Mrs Legge of Ock Street was riding a motorcycle from Milton to Abingdon immediately behind a Ford car driven by Mr F. Strappe of the Nags head when, near Drayton, Mr Trappe pulled up to attend to his headlights with the result that Mr Legge dashed into the rear of the car. He was found on the road bleeding from the face, whilst the front wheel of the motorcycle was badly damaged. Mr Legge was taken in the car to Dr Martin, who found he was suffering from severe cuts to the face and leg and slight concussion. He is now progressing favourably.

The question of finding work for the unemployed was considered by Abingdon Borough Council. At the sewage farm the surveyor reported he could find work for 25 men for about four weeks, and on the Ock ditch ten men for about a week. It was decided that the surveyor and the farm bailiff should superintend the working at the farm, which could start the following day.

Herald Editorial Opinion: There has been for some time, a good deal of public feeling with regard to the question of youngsters not being allowed to play games in the Park. As far as we can gather the position of the matter is that during the summer of 1921 the grass in the park, like that in many other playing fields, was seriously damaged by the drought and by the end of the year needed complete rest and sewing of grass. The question of providing playing grounds for children elsewhere in the town is an admiral and necessary project but will hardly affect the park. It has been found by experience in other towns that young children will not go very far to use a playground. So that one provided near Caldecott Road would not be likely to be much patronised by children from Spring Road.

19th August

The members of the Abingdon Bowling Club were entertained on Thursday last week by the president, Alderman A, E. Preston, J.P., and Mrs Preston, at their residence, Whitefields, Albert Park, Abingdon, and a pleasant afternoon and evening were greatly appreciated. The health of the president and Mrs Preston was proposed and responded to.

The infants of the Church Sunday Schools, numbering about 150, held their summer treat on Wednesday afternoon last week in Radley Park. Tea was served to the youngsters in Radley School, and a delightful holiday resulted.

According to the Labour Exchange, returns vary very slightly from week to week. Last week there were registered 100 men as unemployed, and short-time workers numbered 91 men and 120 women.

The Rev H. H. Ashley, Minister of the Abingdon Trinity Wesleyan Church, preached his farewell sermons Sunday last when there were large congregations.

The successful competitor in the draw organised for the benefit of the Radcliffe Infirmary was Miss B. Garnett of Victoria Road, Abingdon. The prize was a Raleigh cycle.

At their meeting last week, the Abingdon Town Council complimented the Junior Sergeant of Mace (Mr G. Ashdown) on his courageous act of stopping a runaway horse.

At the County Bench on Monday, before Admiral W. R. Clutterbuck. J. F. Hobson. Mr M. T. Tatham, Mr E. H. Green and Mr F. G. Hallett. John Darling, a labourer of Radley, was charged on remand with stealing a Raleigh cycle and a number of eggs on July 27th, the property of Frank Paxton, poultry farmer of Kennington, Radley. The prosecutor stated that the prisoner had been employed temporarily for the last two months. On the 27th, the witness sent the prisoner to Oxford with ten dozen eggs in a basket and lent him the bicycle. As he did not return, the witness gave information to the police. Witness valued the property at £11. Joseph Woodley, of Fisher Row, Oxford, said he met the prisoner in St. Thomas’, Oxford, who asked him to buy the bicycle he was riding. Witness wanted one to ride to work and bought it for £4. The prisoner took off the carrier and said he wanted it, and that the bicycle belonged to his son. The carrier was left at the witness’s house, and as no one called for it, he became suspicious and informed the police. Henry Herbert, New Botley, stated that he met the prisoner in Bridge Street, Oxford on the 27th, who asked the witness to buy some eggs and he bought 80, for which he paid 10s. P.S. Goodenough, Abingdon, said he arrested the prisoner, who was concealed in his bedroom in Radley. The prisoner confessed to the theft and said he was sorry and could not make out why he did it. Fifteen previous convictions were produced, and the Bench was shown the prisoner’s Army character, which had the words “honest, industrious and sober,” written apparently by the prisoner himself, as it resembled the prisoner’s writing on the receipt he gave for the bicycle. The Bench sentenced him to six months hard labour.

26th August

The only case at the Police-court on Tuesday was of William Dimmock, labourer, Ock Street, summoned for assaulting his wife, which was allowed to be withdrawn.

There was a large attendance at the Abingdon Flower Show, at Caldecott House Grounds, on Thursday last week. The weather, although wet in the early morning, was very fine, and the exhibits both of open and local classes were a record number. The City of Oxford Military Band was engaged, and there were other numerous attractions, which included Elementary School children’s sports, guessing, and bowling competitions, tug-of-war, etc. The admission prices were lower than in former years, and the gate money realised over £64. Mr B. J. Davey, the new secretary to the Abingdon Horticultural Society, deserves praise for his indefatigable exertions.

The Rev. H. H.. Ashby and Mrs Ashby, on their leaving Abingdon, were last week presented with a handbag, cloth, and engraved fountain pen by the Abingdon Wesleyan Church, and the Mother’s Meeting gave Mrs Ashby an excellent book. The presentations were made in the Schoolroom after a farewell service.

An interesting wedding took place at St. Michael’s Church, Abingdon, last week, when Mr T. H. Webber, secretary to the Abingdon Pavlova Athletic Club, was married to Miss Margaret Aldworth, of Abingdon. The captain of the Pavlova Football Club (Mr C. Johnson) was best man, and amongst the presents was a timepiece presented by the Athletic Club.

The return of unemployed issued by the local Labour Exchange last weekend was 113 men, 3 women, and 3 boys, the short-timers being the same number as the two previous weeks.

The Abingdon Territorials have been in camp for their annual training on Salisbury Plain. The local company have thoroughly enjoyed camp life this year, the food being plentiful and excellent.

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

Adverts and the editorial opinion about ‘The Park’ are brought to you with help from the North Berks Herald.

In a previous report on Albert Park, I showed how scaffolding had been put around the Conduit House monument and suggested the roof needed repairing. Ben has sent in pictures showing some hoarding. The company are stone masons. This leads me to believe the stones are being repaired and restored.

They will use lime mortar rather than modern Portland cement mortar, as the stones can breathe and last longer with lime mortar.

1st July 1922

Interesting work has been undertaken by the Abingdon Branch of the Berks Archaeological Society—the excavation of the site of the old Abingdon Abbey Church, on the grounds of the Abingdon Abbey House, which was the residence of the late Bishop of Reading who, before his death, gave the great privilege to the archaeologists. The work is being carried out with the support of the London Society of Antiquaries, and under the direction of the Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments, in connection with the Government Board of Works.

The funeral took place at Abingdon Cemetery on Thursday afternoon in the last week of Mr A, H. Emmens, who died the previous Monday, at the age of 69 years. The first portion of the service was held in St. Nicolas Church. and was conducted by the Vicar and the Rev. R, C. MacKeown, Assistant Priest on the parochial staff. Many of the tradespeople and others, were present at the service. The deceased was well known in the town for his life-long services to the social element and was the principal figure in the old Abingdon Amateur Dramatic Society. He was also a keen supporter and treasurer of the Abingdon Angling Society. In his business capacity he was for many years, and up to the time of his death, a valued and trustworthy servant chief clerk in the wine and spirit firm of Messrs Belcher and Habgood.

8th July 1922

At the Free Church united service in Abingdon last week the address was given by Mr John Nash, of Mansfield College. Oxford, his subject being,” The Society of Friends and reunion of the Churches.”

The Church Army Evangelists, now on a pilgrimage from Leicester, visited Abingdon on Monday and stayed until Wednesday. Services were held on Monday in different parts of the town, and in the evening of both Monday and Tuesday rally meetings were held in the Market Place.

An interesting baptismal service was held at St. Helen’s Church on Monday when the infant son of Captain and Mrs Hugh Bailie was baptized. The infant was given the names of Douglas Michael Hugh, and the sponsors were Lady Miller, Major Ferrar, and Mr Sholto Bailie. The font was beautifully decorated. The infant is the grandson of the late Major-General Bailie, of Caldecott House, Abingdon.

ln the list of successful scholarship awards by the Berkshire County Council the following names appear: Seniors—Arthur F. James; Intermediates —Sydney Hunt and Norman Pearson, all of Roysse School, Abingdon. The Junior list included Kathleen Fairthorne, St. Helen’s High School for Girls; Ida Crook, Council School; and John G. Randall and H. Stone, Abingdon Church Boys’ School.

15th July 1922

On Saturday last Hospital Fair Day was held at Abingdon in the place of Alexandra Day when the proceeds went to the Abingdon Sanatorium and the North Berks Nursing Home and Oxford Eye Hospital. The various stalls, &c,. were well patronised, as were motor-boat joy rides from The Anchor.

The wholly unemployed register last week at the Abingdon Labour Exchange was practically the same as the previous week, viz 140, but the number registered as short-timers increased from 147 the week previous to 223, viz., 98 men, 112 women, 4 boys and 9 girls.

A runaway horse was pluckily stopped in Abingdon by the Abingdon Junior Sergeant at Mace, Mr George Ashdown, formerly of London. The horse attached to a van, bolted across the Market Place last week when Mr Ashdown ran and jumped up on the van and secured the reins. He was heartily congratulated by several spectators.

The Trinity Slate Club, Abingdon. had their annual outing on Thursday last week, when they went by motor bus to Henley. The weather was better than anticipated, and the party had an enjoyable time.

At the Abingdon Borough Police Court on Tuesday, Cyril Hodnett, of Marcham Mill, was fined 10s for riding a bicycle without a light, on Faringdon Road. Ernest Harrison, a commercial traveller, was fined £1 for being drunk and disorderly the previous day in High Street, Abingdon.

The Abingdon Baptists held a very successful sale of work in the Schoolroom on Thursday last week, being unable in consequence of the wet weather from holding it outdoor. The sale was opened by the Mayoress. Mrs C. Rippon, A concert was held in the Old British School in the evening. The proceeds of the day were in aid of clearing off debt on the Church expenses.

The funeral took place at Abingdon Cemetery, on Wednesday afternoon in the last week of Mrs Ward, wife of Mr Fred Ward, farrier, Bath Street. Abingdon, in the presence of a large number of friends and sympathisers. The deceased was a most devoted but unassuming church worker, and her husband is an old St Helen’s chorister. In the morning the funeral Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Helen’s Church, the Vicar being the celebrant. The funeral service was held in St. Michael’s Church at which the choir attended, and at which the congregation included the former Vicar of Abingdon, Rev. T. Maitland. The deceased’s favourite hymns were sung in the Church and at the graveside. The floral tributes were numerous.

22nd July 1922

The late Mr Maurice John Dauglish, of Corhill House. Abingdon, Berkshire, left an estate value at £11,745.

The Garden Fete in connection with the Abingdon Branch of the Cirencester Conservative Benefit Society, which was announced to take place on the grounds kindly lent by the Mayor of Abingdon, on Thursday last week, had to be indefinitely postponed in consequence of the inclement weather.

The Abingdon Troup of Girl Guides held a garden fete on Thursday afternoon last week, on the grounds of Mr C. E. Belcher, the Chestnuts, Northcourt, Abingdon. Owing to the inclement weather a large barn was made use of for the stalls, competitions, etc.

At the Abingdon Borough Police Court on Tuesday the only case was that of William Lay, dealer, of Winterbourne Road, summoned for assaulting William Bond, labourer, Bury Street, in the Abingdon market, on the 6th inst. The defendant pleaded guilty and was fined £1.

At the Abingdon County Bench on Monday last, Arthur Windebank, farm labourer, of Hare Green, Upper Basildon, Berks, having an army pension, was summoned for maintenance of the male child of Elsie May Stimpson, of Sunningwell, born Nov. 22nd, 1919. The defendant had paid 7s 8d per week up to February last. An order was made for 10s a week and Court costs. —Herbert Farmer was summoned (on non-payment of a maintenance order made on behalf of the child of Edith Butcher, of Steventon. The child was born on 15th Feb. 1920, and the arrears amounted to £l5 I9s, and a warrant had been issued. The defendant was discharged having paid £7 since the warrant was issued and promising to pay £7 per quarter.

29th July 1922

At the County Bench Mrs Annie Alder, farmer of Sutton Courtenay applied for an ejectment order against James Mattingly from a cottage on the farm. The applicant stated she wanted the cottage for a man to take charge of the farm, her husband was in an institution, and the one she had engaged left because the cottage was not available. Order for possession in 21 days.

An extension license from 12 to 9.30 p.m.. on the occasion Milton Flower Show was granted to T. Summersby, of the Railway Inn,”

At the Abingdon Board Guardians meeting last week the Master reported that the inmates of the house for the past quarter was 101, as against 83 in last year’s corresponding period, and the total cost was £935 8s 11d, compared with £985 19s 4d. a decrease of £50 10s 5d. The number of children from the Union in Cowley Poor Law Schools, Oxford, was 18 as against 21.

The competitions for the Preston Challenge Cup, presented by Alderman A. E. Preston of ‘Whitefields’, Park Crescent, Abingdon came off on the Albert Park Greens, Thursday last, when 12 teams entered the competition. The cup was held last year by Palmer’s Park Club, Reading. The semi-final was between South Oxford and Oxford City, and East Oxford and Abingdon. In the final, East Oxford beat South Oxford 20 to 18. The trophy and medals were presented to the teams by Mr Preston.

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

Adverts and bus happenings are brought to you with help from the Nork Berks Herald.

The pioneer of the steam plough was John Fowler of Leeds, according to wikipedia, who used steam engines and a winch from 1850 to mechanise agriculture. One steam engine pulled a plough across a field using a wound cable, and another steam engine pulled the plough back. In the early twentieth century, steam ploughs were superseded by tractors, powered by internal combustion engines. They are more like horses or oxen.

The Steam Plough pub in Abingdon was opened around 1873 and closed in the 1920s. The pub’s era fits within the age of steam ploughing.

The Steam Plough’s extrovert brickwork wants to be noticed. The Victorian-era brick patterning off Broad Street in Abingdon is called Victoria House and is at Number 10 Broad Street.