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 In the early twentieth century, steam ploughs were superseded by tractors, powered by internal combustion engines.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.

3rd June 1922

Last week, the local Saturday Cricket included an exciting and close match between Trinity College Triflers, Oxford, and Abingdon Town. Abingdon made 181, of which score Bradfield made 71 and Reade 66, and the College made 180, the last bat of the College team being bowled by the last ball of the match.

At the Abingdon Cattle Market on Monday, there was a short supply of beef, but there were 75 calves, the price for fat calves reaching £9 12s 6d. Fat lambs, of which a good number was penned, realised up to 12s, and sheep £6 10s. There was an adequate supply of fat and store pigs, and recent prices were maintained.

During the severe thunderstorm at Abingdon on Thursday last week, it was found that at Messrs Drew’s Saw Mills, the electric light switch plate had been fused, and the screw which fastened the plate to the switch was melted.

An interesting presentation took place at the Abingdon Police Station last week when Supt. W. Foster of Abingdon presented an easy chair and smoking requisites to two retiring members of the Force, viz. Inspector F. Webb of Wallingford and P.C. Goodman, the latter is retiring through ill health.

The Abingdon Town Council has reduced the general district rate by 8d in the £, viz., from 8s 6d to 7s 10d. The previous year the rate was reduced 6d in the £.

The Abingdon Pavlova Football Club were entertained at an excellent dinner by the Pavlova firm to mark the close of the most successful season. Mr Edgington, the indefatigable secretary, was presented with a clock, as a mark of esteem for his services to the club.

10th June 1922

The annual report of the Abingdon Free Library Committee has been issued for the first time since the war, and states that several improvements in the provision of literature and facilities to the public have been made. The lending portion of the library has had a significant addition in the number of ticket holders.

Whitsuntide was observed in the Abingdon Churches by early celebrations of the Holy Communion and festal services. The edifices, especially the altars, were appropriately adorned with vases of flowers. etc. The parochial clergy conducted the services.

The Guardians and the Mayor received a delegation of the Abingdon unemployed last week. Work has been found for a few and there are prospects of more relief work being organised almost immediately. The Labour Exchange returns last week were 169 men registered unemployed and 60 on short time. Only three women reported being unemployed, but 120 were on short time.

The newly formed Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club met Wantage on Thursday last week when the visitors won by 113 games to 63.

The Girls Club May Fair held at Abingdon, on the grounds of Alderman J. T. Morland, resulted in £72 being taken for admission, and the sale articles, etc.

The Freedom of the Borough of Abingdon was conferred on Thursday evening last week in the Council Chamber on Alderman John Thornhill Morland, J P., the oldest member of the Town Council of Abingdon, in recognition of prominent civic work in the Borough. The ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Abingdon (Councillor C. Rippon), and there was a large gathering, both civic and lay people desirous of associating themselves with the historic event. Amongst those present was the Earl of Abingdon (who proposed the toast of the health of Alderman Morland). The bells of St. Nioolas Church were rung on the occasion.

17th June 1922

At Tuesday’s Borough Police Court, the magistrates were Messr J. G. T. West, and J. Ricketts. The only business was an application for an extended license for the “Nags Head” Inn, The Bridge, on the occasion of the Fire Brigade demonstration.

In the recent Trinity College of Music examination, held at Oxford, John D. Godfrey, son of Councillor Godfrey and a pupil of Dr Dodds of Oxford, passed in organ playing.

The preacher at the weekly united Free Church service last week, held at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was the Rev. Evan Newell of Longworth.

The annual meeting of the Abingdon Hospital Aid Scheme organisation was held on Thursday evening last week in the Roysse Boom, Abingdon. Mr C, C. Johnson presiding. In the twelve months the scheme had been in operation in the town the amount collected was £1,020. The Rev. G. B.Cronshaw, the Radcliffe Infirmary Treasurer, gave an interesting address on what the Infirmary had been able to achieve through the help given by the scheme.

The Abingdon Provident Society’s 78th annual meeting was held in the Roysse Room, Abingdon, on Wednesday evening last, Mr J. B. Wake presiding. In his annual report, the secretary (Mr G. Staniland) stated that the sick pay for the past year was £90 less than the contributions. The receipts from all sources, including dividends on war loans, consols, etc., realised over £563. Only one death had been lodged during the year. The total membership was nearly 350, and invested funds amounted to over £9,090. The quinquennial valuation for distribution of the surplus was now being obtained.

The Abingdon Baptist Sunday School Anniversary was held last Sunday, and the services were well attended. The special preacher on the occasion was Lieut-CoL J. Walkey, O.B.E., M.C.

24th June 1922

By the kindness of the Mayoress of Abingdon (Mrs Rippon) over 60 mothers belonging to the Babies’ Welfare League were entertained to tea on Thursday in last week at ” Springfields,” Abingdon. The mothers brought their babies and young children and a pleasant time was spent.

A very successful fete was held on Thursday afternoon in last week in the grounds of Stratton House, Abingdon, the residence of Lady Norman, in aid of the building fund of the new Church Hall completion. There were numerous attractions, competitions, concerts, etc., the success of the undertaking being financial help to the fund of over £l00. The Mayoress of Abingdon opened the fete, which ceremony the Vicar presided.

At St Helen’s Church, Abingdon, on Thursday afternoon in last week, the marriage of Mr William Jamas Prior, son of and Mrs J. E, Prior, of Harwell, and Miss Elsie Theodora Hooke, third daughter of Mr and Mrs W. H. Hooke, Park Crescent and Market Place, Abingdon, took place. The Vicar officiated, and the service was choral. The honeymoon is being spent at Shanklin, Isle of Wight.

Mark Lambourne, retired farmer of Cumnor, was summoned by the R.S.P.C.A for cruelty to a dog by shooting at it on May 27th. It appears that the dog belonging to Percy James Frewin, of Cumnor, was continually at the defendant’s house and broke through the window one night. On the Saturday, after sending it away several times, he shot at it. The owner of the dog said it was injured by the shots. Defendant had complained to him about the dog being on his premises and had threatened to shoot it. The Bench dismissed the case.

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

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

The other day I looked through the photo album Lesley Argyle left in the Trinity Church archives and found the picture of William Booth. He founded the Salvation Army and was visiting Abingdon.

I won’t be able to do the blog for a few days. Back about the 14th of June.

At the Monday Club this evening, Helen organised a quiz. She also showed some pictures from 1953, the year her Grandfather, Percy Holmes, was the Mayor of Abingdon. Helen intends to give the package of photos to the Town Archivist. They were curled up, and I weighed them down with jigsaw puzzles to make copies of a few of interest.

Preparation of an Ox Roast for the Coronation celebrations.

Mayor Percy Holmes, carving the Ox Roast outside the Queens Hotel.

Members of the Abingdon Council with the Mayor as he addresses the crowd using a 1950s PA.

Cooling off in the Abbey Meadows Open Air Pool – at a swimming gala.

This is probably the Welfare Food Campaign with an event at the Roysse Room; some well-nourished children with a bottle of something. The campaign entitled all infants and expectant mothers to free milk, orange juice and cod liver oil. Does anybody recognise themself?

Pictures are mainly stamped on the back by H.J. Milligan, but not all were stamped. I added the words on the front to show provenance. Thanks to Helen.