Unit 25 in Bury Street has launched the first exhibition of this year’s Heritage Open Days – opening a day ahead of the wider programme.

The ground floor exhibition shows the changing face of central Abingdon in the 60s and 70s. Displays trace the development of Bury Street precinct, the Charter area and Stratton Way, with detailed accounts of the buildings that were lost. One panel explains how the Victorians replaced earlier Georgian structures – and other panels show how, when their own landmarks such as the Queen’s Hotel and the Corn Exchange fell out of favour in the 1960s, they too were swept away for modernist redevelopment. In 2012 the flat roofs and covered walkways were in turn replaced with pitched roofs and wider streets.

Upstairs the focus is on local creativity. Abingdon artists are showing paintings of historic buildings to be in an upcoming book. Last year’s cardboard models of local landmarks also return, alongside a display on the Culham fusion research project.

There’s more to come when the main Heritage Open Days programme begins on Saturday.

ABINGDON HORTICULTURAL SHOW — The Abingdon Horticultural Society’s annual show on Thursday 14th August 1925 was a great success, with a high number of entries and strong quality throughout. The handsome challenge cup, presented by the tradespeople of the town for the best exhibit of cut flowers (open to all England), attracted only three entries, but the winning display by an Oxford firm was outstanding and became the chief attraction in the exhibition tents.

The recently added rabbit and pigeon sections showed increased support, and the judges praised the standard of entries.

Among other entertainments, a display of Morris dancing by children in costume proved especially popular. Their performance was carried out with precision, and their behaviour reflected credit on their trainers. The Ock-street Horns used in some dances were kindly lent by Alderman A.W. Morland.

ABINGDON SKIFF REGATTA — The Abingdon Skiff Regatta was held on Saturday 22nd August 1925 in the Wilsham Reach. Some very good racing was witnessed, with 57 events in the programme. During the afternoon and evening music was performed by the Abingdon Town Band. At the conclusion of the races the prizes were presented by the Mayoress, followed by dancing on the Nag’s Head Hotel tennis lawns.

ABINGDON LOCAL TERRITORIALS — The Abingdon Platoon of the 4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment – The Abingdon ‘Terriers’ – returned from Weymouth, where they had been in camp for a fortnight.

HOSPITAL SUNDAY — Abingdon Hospital Day was held on Sunday 23rd August 1925. There was a Church parade of friendly societies and other organisations in the afternoon, headed by the Abingdon and Didcot Bands, and the Salvation Army and Steventon Bands. In High Street the procession met the Mayor and Corporation, and then proceeded to St. Helen’s Church, where a service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. C. S. Fleet). Afterwards the parade again formed up and marched to the cenotaph, where a minute’s silence was observed, and two verses of the hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past were sung. In the evening a concert was given by the massed bands in the Abbey House grounds. (‘Roy’, the dog inset in the picture, was the most successful collector with £4 17s 4d. In total £57 12s 6d was collected for local hospitals.)

KINEMA.— The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the film production of Victor Hugo’s famous novel, was presented for six days commencing Monday, August 24th, 1925.

Probably never before has there been a picture of such magnificence – costing £300,000, exact in its detail, artistic in conception, and wonderful in the acting of the principals and in the handling of the vast mob scenes, in which more than 3,000 persons took part.

Lon Chaney, one of the finest interpreters of unusual character roles, gave a remarkable performance as Quasimodo, the hunchback bellringer of Notre Dame, with Ernest Torrence as Clopin, the underworld king, and Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda.

The film played to full houses throughout the six days. A talented orchestra, conducted by Mr R A Coole, played music specially arranged for this production.

Thanks to the Oxford Journal for the photographs of Abingdon events from the British Newspaper Archive. Also thanks to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette from the British Newspaper Archive for story details and the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library  for story details and the Kinema advert.

Paul has sent me pictures of two boundary stones recently. Here’s what we know. It’s a puzzle.

The first stone is on the Drayton Road, wedged between a wall and a bush, almost hidden behind a streetlight. The inscription faces a brick wall just a few inches away, and many of the letters have worn away with time.
The text appears to read something like:

?0 YARDS FROM
THE BRIDGE
?LONG THE???
HENCE IN ?
??RAIGHT ???
?? JUNCTION OF
?HE OCK RIVER
WITH THE LARK
??LL STREAM

With a bit of guesswork, it may originally have read:

“?0 YARDS FROM
THE BRIDGE
ALONG THE [PATH?]
HENCE IN A
STRAIGHT LINE
TO THE JUNCTION OF
THE OCK RIVER
WITH THE LARK
HILL STREAM”

This suggests a boundary line to the bridge on Drayton Road and then to a place where the River Ock meets the Lark Mill Stream. 
The second stone is on the Faringdon Road, directly opposite the entrance to Larkmead School. Paul cleared back some of the vegetation to reveal it properly. This one appears to have a carved cross at the top — likely the Abingdon Borough cross — and below that, some worn letters. One line may read MEN, possibly part of the word PARLIAMENTARY, and beneath that UNDA, which might be part of the word BOUNDARY.

Both stones appear to mark out old administrative or land boundaries.

Found Drowned Near the Rookery
A shadow was cast over the town on Thursday when four-year-old Esther Harper, of 22 The Abbey, drowned near the Rookery. She had gone out to play in the afternoon and did not return. Her brother Edward, aged 13, on arriving home from school, went in search and found her body floating by the riverbank. Despite efforts by passers-by and the police to revive her, life was declared extinct by Dr H. S. Challenor. At Friday’s inquest, the jury returned a verdict of “Found Drowned.”

Motor Fatality at Lodge Hill
An inquest was also held for Miss Diana Sybil Seal, a 21-year-old Oxford dancer, who died when a car skidded at Lodge Hill. The driver, an undergraduate from Christ Church, was cleared of blame. Evidence suggested that a Ford van coming the other way, poor visibility due to an elm tree, and a burst tyre led to the skid. The car toppled over and back and all the cars passengers except the driver were thrown from the car. The deceased suffered a severe head injury. A fellow passenger confirmed the car was going no faster than 25 miles per hour and that the driver was not intoxicated. They had drunk a bottle of wine between them in Abingdon. The elm tree has since been removed to improve safety at the brow of the hill. Sympathy was send to the family of the deceased.

Mr Joe James Passes Away
Mr Joe James, one of the oldest bricklayers in the town, of 44 West St Helen Street, passed away on Tuesday aged 76. A lifelong Abingdonian, he married at St Helen’s Church in 1870 and had been a member of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers for three decades. He was laid to rest on Thursday at the Cemetery.

Concerns Over Refuse Collection
A letter sent to the Herald signed by about thirty local ratepayers protested recent changes to refuse collection. The signatories warned that with already poor housing conditions, the reduction in collection frequency would expose families — especially those with young children — to further health risks. They urged a return to at least twice-weekly removal, especially in the heat.

Court Fines and Local Offences
At the Borough Court, Margaret Couldrey of Ock House and Charles J. Douglas of Oxford Road were each fined 5 shillings for keeping a dog without a licence. Roy Gilbert of Bath Street was fined £1 for failing to produce his motor licence when summoned.

A Day Out for the Infants School
Around 106 children from the Church of England Infants School, led by Miss Ingram and her staff, enjoyed an outing to Sheepstead House. They played games and were served tea on the lawn. Rain cut the afternoon short, but the children returned home tired and content.

Garden Party at Northcourt House
Mr and Mrs Tatham hosted seventy residents from the Institution at a garden party in the grounds of Northcourt House. Games were played, prizes awarded, and tea served on the lawn. In response to their hospitality, the guests gave three hearty cheers on the proposals of the Master of the Institution.

Bathing Place Open to Women
In light of the hot weather, the Borough Highways Committee has approved opening the bathing place to women on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to noon.

Founder’s Day at Roysse’s School
Today, Roysse’s School marked Founder’s Day with a service at St Helen’s Church and prize-giving at the Corn Exchange. Yesterday’s regatta on the Wilsham Reach preceded tomorrow’s cricket match between the School and the Old Abingdonians.

Fascists Hold Garden Fête
A garden fête organised by the British Fascists (North Berks area) took place at Square House, lent by Mr T. Skurray. There were side-shows, folk dancing, music by Rowlinson’s Band, and in the evening dancing on the lawn. The President, Brigadier R.D.B. Blakeney, addressed the gathering, claiming the movement was misunderstood and stood for law, order, and anti-communism. He defended the group’s adoption of a “foreign name,” likening it to enjoying macaroni or riding in a charabanc.

Service at the United Free Church
At the United Free Church, Pastor E. Newell from Longworth Mission preached from the words: “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” He reminded the congregation that true greatness lies not in self-seeking but in service, as shown by their Master.

Local Platoon Prepares for Camp
The local platoon of the 4th Royal Berkshire Regiment will depart for camp in Weymouth on Sunday, August 2nd. A strong turnout of all ranks is urged for next week’s parades in preparation for a marching demonstration, building on the platoon’s fine reputation.

Thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library and the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette from the British Newspaper Archive. The picture of the fireman is from the Oxford Journal. The adverts are from the North Berks Herald and the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette.