6th November

The tercentenary of the Sailing of the Mayflower, with the Pilgrim Fathers, to America, which has been celebrated this year, has led to an interesting discussion as to whether the pillars in the Abingdon Congregational Schoolroom are the masts of that historic ship. Dr Rendel Harris inspected them, and while withholding any decided opinion, he is investigating the question. The schoolroom was originally the Meeting House which dates from 1700. The Mayflower was broken up in, or about, 1658.

It was thought probable that there might have been an election this year and candidates were ready for nomination but at the last moment decided to withdraw. The four retiring councillors have therefore been elected, viz,, the Mayor (Councillor R. W. Langford), Councillor H. T. Clarke, J.P., Councillor C. Rippon, M.A, (Oxen), and Councillor Walter Thatcher.

The funeral took place in the Abingdon Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon last week of Mr George Westcott, landlord of the Bee Hive Inn, Stert Street, Abingdon, who died in the Sutherland Hospital, Reading, the previous Saturday, having a short time ago been removed from Peppard Sanatorium. Deceased was 49 years of age and for some years served in the Coldstream Guards, and as a reservist in the South African War. In the late war he rejoined his regiment and was subsequently transferred to the Suffolks as R.S.M. The funeral was conducted with military honours, the firing party being from the 4th Royal Berks. Deceased belonged to the Lodge of R.A.O.B. (Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes). The floral tributes were numerous.

The first of a winter series of whist drives in connection with the Abingdon Bowling Club took place at the Roysse Rooms on Thursday evening last week, when upwards of 150 were present, the captain of the club (Mr Johnson) acted as M.C.

13th November
(Picture shows a project to relieve the number of unemployed by putting men to work on improvements to the Abingdon Road in Oxford)

At the Council meeting on Tuesday, Councillor W. B. Langford, of the firm of Messrs Langford and Sons, coal, corn and seed merchants, Stert Street, Abingdon, was unanimously re-elected to the Mayoralty on the proposition of Councillor A. E. Preston, seconded by Councillor Alec W. Morland.

The Abingdon Town Council have decided, after experiments, to light the Abingdon Corn Exchange with five electric 26 1/3 reflector lamps, similar to those in use at Newbury Town Hall.

The Borough Surveyor of Abingdon has issued a report to the Town Council on the water supply, which is short in the reservoir at Wootton, and advises the Corporation to look for a supply from some other source.

An entertainment and bazaar in aid of the Abingdon Church Memorial Hall and the Home and Foreign Missions was held in the Abingdon Corn Exchange on Thursday and Friday last, opened by Lady Norman. The stalls were well filled with the efforts of a working party with articles of needlework, aud also by other useful and fancy articles. There were good attendances and the results are expected to be very satisfactory.

In a billiard contest between members of the Abingdon Police and the Y.M C.A. last week the former were victorious – the total points being: Police 583, Y-M-C.A., 494

The Abingdon Bowling Club held its annual meeting in the Roysse Room on Thursday evening in last week, the president Alderman E Preston presiding. The balance sheet showed £4 4s 8d balance on the right side in the current account, and £32 6s 5d on the capital account. In view of heavier costs in the future, the annual subscription was raised from 10s to £1. The officers were re-elected, and a hearty vote of thanks given to the president for the great interest he took in the welfare of the club.

At the County Bench, William T. Hisney, Lodden Hill Farm Reading, was summoned for driving a motor car to the danger of the public on the Marcham road, on September 24th. It was stated that three cyclists had to get into the ditch to avoid being run down. Defendant was fined £5, and was to pay £1 expenses in each case.

20th November

Armistice Day was observed in Abingdon with the two minutes silence. At St. Helen’s Church tower the tenor bell was tolled 227 times, representing the number of Abingdon men who fell in the war. A large floral tribute was placed at the temporary memorial, by the Abingdon Corporation. The Comrades placed a laurel wreath, and at the end of the two minutes silence sounded the Last Post.

An Armistice Service was held at the Abingdon Congregational Church on Sunday evening when the Rev. Gill preached on the subject of ‘the Unknown Hero.’ The Last Post was sounded at the close of the service

27th November

Two Memorial Tablets are to be erected in St Helen’s Church, Abingdon, one being for men who fell in the war. A vestry meeting was held on Thursday last to obtain sanction to apply for faculties for the same.

The sum of £15 was raised by the Abingdon Wesleyan Rummage Sale last week, in aid of Children’s Homes and the Church Memorial Hall.

The Rev. J. P. Morris, of Lewes Baptist Chapel, has, it is stated, accepted the pastorate of Abingdon Baptist Chapel, and will commence his ministry on New Year Sunday.

Thank you for the extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive, and Oxford Journal Illustrated for the pictures.

A draft of the Abingdon (Borough) Roll of Service appeared in the North Berks Herald on October 23rd 1920, and was continued on October 30th. It asked for contributions to the War Memorial Collection to remember 214 Abingdon Men.

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2nd October
The Abingdon Comrades of the War commenced a series of whist drives for the winter months in their Clubhouse, Ock Street.

The Abingdon new Jury lists contains the names of 70 women.

Harvest Festival Services were held Sunday last at St Helen’s and St Nicolas’ Churches when the congregations were large. The offertories were for the hospitals. Both Churches were tastefully decorated.

A match was played at Abingdon on Saturday in the Berkshire League between Abingdon and Wantage. The game was somewhat rough, the Abingdon goal-keeper being injured and a Wantage player disqualified and removed for striking an opponent player. The scores were Wantage 4, Abingdon 2.

9th October

The Michaelmas Fair was held on Monday and Tuesday, the first day being very wet. The chief attractions were the switchbacks and roundabouts. No hiring was done.

There was a very short supply at Abingdon Cattle Market in consequence of it being the Michaelmas Fair Day. Some eight or ten excellent beasts, however, met ready buyers.

The will of the late Councillor F. W. Matthews, corn merchant, of Bridge Street, Abingdon, shows an estate of the value of £13,184.

The death occurred on Thursday in last week, of Mrs H.T. Clarke, at the age of 50, the wife of Councillor H.T. Clarke, J.P of Wayste Court, Abingdon, after a brief illness. The deceased lady was highly respected, and her services in connection with the Abingdon Girl’s Club were of an energetic character. She was also an energetic worker for the Berks Voluntary Association during the war.

16th October

The Bishop of Reading and family’s departure from the Abbey House, Abingdon, to live at Bournemouth, is referred to in the Abingdon Church Magazine, and says ‘There must be many who regret that they cannot any longer associate the Abbey House with the venerable figure of the Bishop of Reading and his family. Advancing age (92) has forced him lately to keep much at home, but he was always ready to help. . . . The personal activity which he could not give, however, was contributed in full measure by his daughters.’

The Abingdon Cricket and Football Club has issued its annual report, which states that a great expense had been incurred to put the ground in order after the war, and the replacing of the tackle. This, the report says, has cost something like £70, and this with other items makes a deficit on the year’s accounts of about £90. An appeal is made to the general public to enable the Committee to meet the deficiency.

The Abingdon Runaway Fair was held on Monday last when the weather was very fine. The chief Michaelmas Fair the previous Monday was wet, and therefore this fair was more enjoyable, although the fair paraphernalia was much smaller in quantity.

On Tuesday an inquest was held by Mr B. Challenor, Coroner, on the body of Mrs Clara Vietch, a widow, for several years proprietress of the Queen’s Hotel, Market Place, Abingdon, who was found dead in the wine cellar the previous day. The assistant manageress (Miss Hetty Meades,) said the deceased stayed in bed on Sunday, she felt unwell, and on Sunday night the witness took the deceased the keys, when she seemed better. On Monday morning, when the witness got up, she found the door of the deceased’s bedroom open, and afterwards saw a light in the cellar. On going into the cellar the witness saw the deceased sitting on a box in a prone condition, and there was an empty brandy bottle above the deceased’s head and an empty glass by her side. The witness fetched another assistant, and found that deceased was dead, and then sent for doctor. Mr P. T. Martin, surgeon, of Abingdon, said he was called to the Hotel, and found Mrs Vietch dead in the cellar, as described by the previous witness. The body was quite cold. The jury returned verdict of ‘Death from natural causes, viz., syncope.’

23rd October
The Abingdon Bowling Club have decided to bring their bowling green in the Albert Park to the requirements of the English Bowling Association. The cost is estimated at £150, and the sum is to be raised by members’ loans of £1 each without interest to be repaid in the order of drawing the funds permit. The amount in shares has been already accomplished.

The Abingdon Michaelmas Fair tolls, which has been raised by fifty per cent, this year, realised just over £100,

30th October
An installation festival of the Abingdon Abbey Lodge Freemasons was held in the Abingdon Council Chambers on Thursday evening in last week, when Mr W. M. Coxeter, Ock Street, was elected Worshipful Master for the ensuing year. Besides the members of the lodge there were several visiting members present from other lodges and dinner was served in the Room, after the ceremony.

The Abingdon Cottage Hospital financial position has, it is stated, greatly improved this year.

At a meeting in the Abingdon Church Rooms last week a branch for Abingdon was formed of the League of Nations, the vicar of Abingdon (Rev_ A. H Kennedy) being elected president.

At the Borough police Court, Tuesday. – John Pullinger, Radley Road, Abingdon, was summoned for not obeying a school attendance order in respect to his son 12 years of age. The Bench now ordered the lad to be sent to an Industrial School in Birmingham till 16 years of age, and ordered the father to pay 5s per week towards his son’s maintenance.

Thank you for the news extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive. The pictures of St Giles Fair and Abingdon Bowling Club are from Jackson’s Oxford Journal. The Roll of Service and adverts are from the North Berks Herald.

Heritage Open Days in Abingdon will run from 19th to 20th September.

This year a lot of self guided walks have been provided. On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th there will be a welcome desk in the Market Place where you can pick up printed copies. You will also get copies from abingdonheritage.org.uk.

There will be 10+ films about Abingdon. The films will be shown at the Roysse Room on Saturday 19th. They will also be on general release round the world wide web from 19th September from abingdonheritage.org.uk.

There will be Hidden Nature – a set of Facebook Live Events from Abingdon Museum.

In East St Helen Street some houses will have their histories in their windows, and The Little Basement Museum is open to the public (for more information click here).

4th September
Dear Editor, I should feel obliged if, through the medium of your paper you could make an Appeal to employers residing in the Abingdon Parliamentary Constituency of Berkshire on behalf of the disabled ex-service men. The number of employers on the King’s Roll in the constituency is four, and the number of disabled ex-service men employed is sixty-eight. The number of disabled ex-service men unemployed is sixteen, and the number of employers not on the Roll of Honour, who might reasonably be expected to give undertakings is thirty-nine, of whom twenty-five employ approximately twenty-five workpeople or over. I am personally writing to them, and enclose you copy of my letter. I feel sure that every employer will wish to do all that is in his power to help those crippled whilst fighting for their King and Country. Yours faithfully, J. T. WIGAN. M.P. for the Abingdon Division of Berkshire.

The Abingdon Pavlova Factory held their second annual sports event in the grounds on the Marcham Road on Saturday last in fine weather, when there was a large attendance. The Abingdon Town Band was present and there were various amusements.

The Abingdon Gas Company have given notice to consumers that after the next meter reading the price of gas will be increased to 6s 8d per 1,000 cubic feet.

The Abingdon Town Band were granted the use of the garden and lawn of Councillor Claud Rippon at Springfields, Abingdon, when dancing was indulged in and good company was present.

The choir boys of the three Abingdon Churches had their annual outing on Thursday in last week, when a river trip to Wallingford in the steamer Alaska was greatly enjoyed. Tea was partaken of at Benson on the return journey.

11th September
Three London boys, aged 11, 9 and 7 years were found by the Abingdon Police last week, sleeping rough in the basin of the Old Canal. They told the police that a boy gave them a £1 note, and with it the three decided to have a country holiday and took a train to Abingdon. They gave an address in London, their parents were communicated with, and the children sent to their homes.

The Abingdon Salvation Army under the conductorship of Mr F. H. Tombs, paid a week-end visit to Buckingham Salvation Army, on Saturday last. The visit being highly appreciated.

Whilst Miss Bailie, of Caldecott, Abingdon was driving a pony and trap on Park Road last Friday, the horse shied at a passing motor vehicle and ran into the park railings and broke the shafts. Miss Bailie received severe bruising and had to obtain medical aid. The horse ran away but was stopped in Bath Street.

The Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club revived their annual pre-war three days tournament last week at the Abingdon Cricket Ground, Culham Road. Mrs. Challenor was again the hon. secretary. The winners of the open mixed doubles were Mr Fritton and Miss Cannon, who beat Dr and Mrs Stewart. The mixed local doubles was won by Mr J. S. Holt and Miss Robson, the ladies doubles by the Misses B. T. and M. Stephens, and the gentlemen’s doubles by Messrs. Cundell and Dickenson.

18th September

At the Abingdon Borough Police Court on Tuesday, the only case before the Mayor and Messrs H. S. Clarke and J. M. Paul, the sitting magistrates, was that of Rose Moore, single woman, 71, Ock Street, who was fined for riding a bicycle without a light in the Oxford road on Sept. 6th.

Sunday last was observed in Abingdon as Hospital Sunday, and collections were made through most of the streets. The Bands were the Abingdon Town Brass Band and the Headington Drum and Fife Band.

The Abingdon Bowling Club Season was brought to a close on Thursday afternoon last when the finals and semi-finals in several competitions were played off on the Albert Park Bowling Green. The competition included the president’s Challenge Bowl, which was won by Mr J.C. Greenwood, the Vineyard, Abingdon. The prizes were distributed by Mr A. E. Preston, the president of the club.

A Menagerie visited Abingdon on Wednesday, after being at St Giles’ Fair. For sanitary reasons it was not allowed to stand in the Market Place, therefore it was stationed in a field by Abingdon Bridge, and it was well patronised.

The Abingdon Choral Society have commenced their autumn and winter rehearsals, this year in the lecture room of the Abingdon Young Men’s Social Club, Ock Street – Mr F. Reid is the hon. sec.

25th September

Formed in 1918 as a war emergency, the Abingdon Pig Club has now been wound up. During its existence upwards of £600 has been spent in foodstuffs, distributed at cost price to tbe Club members. The accounts showed a deficiency of £9.

A war shrine placed in the Vineyard Street, Abingdon, has had to be taken down for renovation, the names of the fallen having been obliterated, and no record of the names having been kept, the parents and friends of the fallen heroes are being asked to again furnish the names.

The Abingdon Board of Guardians have appointed Miss Garnett, of Abingdon, as Matron’s Assistant at the Abingdon Union, at a salary of £36 per annum, with board, apartments and uniform.

Borough Police Court, Tuesday, before the Mayor (Councillor W B. Langford) William George Turner, Gaol Yard, Abingdon, was summoned for arrears in a bastardy order, and warrant was issued for days.

Thank you for the extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive, who also provided the adverts. The Oxford Journal Illustrated featured disabled men’s fine work.