On 24th April 1847 the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette reported “The Mayor’s Court Leet Jury inspected the weights at the shops and warehouses of the various tradesmen in Abingdon, which, with a few exceptions, were found correct.

In the evening the jury and a party of friends partook of an excellent supper at Mr. Joseph Emmens’s, the Star Tavern. The health ot his worship, the Mayor was drank in a bumper.”

Mr Emmen managed the Star Tavern from some time before 1823 to some time after 1854, according to Kelly’s Directories in Abingdon Library. The Star Tavern also functioned as a tobacconist and hairdresser. (Picture is part of a 1857 Print by John S Austin – Oxford Architect – All Rights Reserved.)

If the Star Tavern was still standing today it would be in front of the DaleBoot UK sign and entrance, and would hide the view of the TSB.

According to Abingdon Borough records from 1888, trees were planted where the Star Tavern had stood. The Star, and the pub over the road, had been demolished to allow Stert Street to be widened into a main road.

* Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas on 6th January and remembers the arrival of the wise men, who followed the star to find Jesus. Why I did a blog post about a lost Abingdon star.
* Court Leet was a court for small offences. Such courts went on to check standards in sales of food and drink.

Thankyou to The british newspaper archive for the news story about the Star Tavern.

Saturday 6th December 1919

A bachelor’s dance was held in the Abingdon Council Chamber on Wednesday evening, when there were nearly 120 present. The Oxford Prize Band supplied the music.

A confirmation was held at St. Helen’s Church, Abingdon, on Sunday afternoon with the new Bishop of Oxford, when the candidates numbered 120, 91 of which were from Abingdon.

A lecture on the Life of Livingstone, with lantern slide illustrations, was held in the Wesleyan Schoolroom on Wednesday evening in last week.

A steam lorry was being driven back to Milton Depot by William Russell, of Reading, when, in Ock Street, Abingdon, in consequence of the gearing it swerved and collided with a cottage, in the occupation of Mr H. Church, knocking the door down and part of the wall.

An inquest was held at Abingdon Police Station on Thursday last by Mr Bromley Challenor, on the death of Jeffrey Brightman, aged 2 years, the child of an ex soldier, Benjamin Brightman, of 7, Gaol Yard. Abingdon, who died on the previous Tuesday through being scalded. The evidence went to show that the mother placed a small bath of hot water on the floor down stairs, and whilst fetching some cold water the deceased fell into the bath and was severely scalded. The child was taken to the Cottage Hospital, where the injuries were attended to, and was brought back home, where he died the following day.

Saturday 13th December 1919

Abingdon has contributed by collections the sum of £l8 10s 7d to the National Home and Orphanage Fund, as this years effort.

The Abingdon Municipal Charity Trustees are distributing from Robert Mayott’s Charity, six overcoats to elderly men, and eight gowns to elderly women, residents of the Borough.

The Guild of the Abingdon Wesleyan Church held a pleasant social evening on Wednesday last week, when the programme included impromptu speaking efforts and games.

A memorial service for the late Mr J. H. Broxup, late headmaster of the Abingdon Council Schools, was held in the Abingdon Trinity Wesleyan Church on Sunday evening last, when there was a large congregation. including many old boys of the Abingdon British Schools, of which he was formerly headmaster, and also past and present scholars of the Council Schools.

In aid of the Abingdon Sanatorium Comforts Fund a very successful subscription dance was held last week in the Abingdon Council Chamber, when nearly 150 were present. Supper was provided by friends, and a substantial sum was raised.

Saturday 20th December 1919
A League match was played at Abingdon, on Saturday, between Abingdon Town and Abingdon Pavlova Club, Abingdon Town winning by three goals to nil. There were, as usual at these matches, many local spectators, and considerable enthusiasm was shown in the game.

The Abingdon Bowling Club are being provided with two more greens in the centre of the Albert Park, the property of Christ Hospital Governors.

The Abingdon Comrades of the Great War held another successful whist drive at their Club Rooms, Ock Street, on Thursday evening last, when nearly 100 were present Six prizes were given by Mrs Councillor Reynolds, and two rabbits by a local farmer.

The only case at this Borough Court on Tuesday last before the Mayor and Mr J. Paul, was M A. Cox. schoolmistress, Ock Street, fined 4s for chimney on fire.

Among the goods found in possession of Bertha Hambleton, (34). 9, Aston Street, Oxford, and Alice Dunton, (24), 17, Field Road, Reading, arrested and charged at Banbury Petty Sessions last week, were found several articles taken from the shops of Messrs Viney, Bros, drapers, Market place, and Madam Lyalls, costumier, High Street, Abingdon.


Saturday 27th December 1919
On Boxing Bay, in very wet weather, a match was played on the Abingdon ground between Abingdon and the Oxford United Trades for the War Memorial Cup, when the score was Abingdon 5, Oxford 0.

A carol service was held on Sunday evening at the Congregational Church from 8 to 9 o’clock. Miss Luker sang ‘The Star of Bethlehem’ and Mrs Pearson, ‘See, Amid the Winter Snow,’ and the special carol issued by St Dunstan’s, entitled, ‘They gave their sight,’ was rendered by the choir. The collection on behalf of blinded soldiers and sailors amounted to £3 5s.

The Abingdon Pavlova Leather Works employees and friends had a large Christmas party at the works. Spring Road. Abingdon, on Saturday, which took the form of a fancy dress ball. One of the large warehouses was decorated profusely for the occasion, and about 600 were present. Prizes were given for the best costume characters.

Saturday 3rd January 1920

St Helen’s bells rang the Old Year out and the New Year in. A devotional service was held at St. Nicolas’ Church at 10 o’clock, and an hour later there was a watch night service in the Wesleyan Schoolroom for the Free Churches.

Thankyou for the extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive. Abingdon adverts came from the North Berks Herald and Save the Children and Great Ormond Street from a national paper. The Happy Year 1920 picture was made using a film still from the 1920 era with snowflakes and title added.

Yesterday was the launch of a new local history book: RADLEY MANOR AND VILLAGE: a thousand year story.

Radley is very close to Abingdon. The land did once belong to Abingdon Abbey. After Henry VIII dissolved Abingdon Abbey, Radley Manor became separate.

In more recent times, as Abingdon has expanded as a town, fields that were parts of the parish of Radley have become estates in Abingdon.

The location of the launch was The Mansion, Radley College.

The book is a collaboration between Radley History Club and Radley College. The book tells the history of Radley’s manor and its relationship with the village from around the time of the Norman Conquest to the present day.

The College was started in 1847 on land owned by the Bowyer Family, who owned the Manor. The College came to own more and more of the land, and now covers 800 acres.

At the launch there was an interesting storyboard history of the estate. Radley WI were serving refreshments.

Outside in the college grounds there were many rugby players getting ready for an afternoon of training and sport.

Saturday 1st November 1919
The annual North Berks Agricultural Society corn show was held in the Abingdon Corn Exchange on Monday last. Only a few entries were received, and the judges—Mr Soundy, of Reading, and Mr W. Frogley, of Challow—made the following awards:—Class 60. for the best 10 quarters of white wheat: 1st prize, Mr H. Aldwinckle
…
…
Class 39, for the best 5 acres of mangolds, the first prize of £5 was won by Mr C. Taylor, of Radley. The Judges report that the entries in the swede and mangold classes were of surprising merit, and difficulty was experienced in nominating the winners.

Saturday 8th November 1919
The Abingdon “Royal Arch” Lodge of Freemasons held an Installation Chapter at the Council Chamber on Thursday evening in last week, when the Principal elected was Mr J. G. T. West, and Mr C. D. Adkin 2nd Principal.

The annual meeting of the Abingdon Bowling Club took place in the Council Chamber on Wednesday evening of last week, the President, Mr A. E. Preston, presiding. The accounts showed a balance in hand of £30. The officers were re-elected.

The Abingdon Town Football Club, in the match on Saturday last with the Abingdon Comrades, on the latter’s ground, in a North Berks League match, beat by two goals to one. The Club has not suffered defeat this season at present.

There was considerable interest taken in the Municipal Elections at Abingdon on Saturday last. The retiring Councillors were Messrs A. E. Preston, F, G. Palmer, T. Skurray, and W. F. Gadd, the two latter not seeking re-election. For the four seats there were seven candidates, viz., Messrs Preston and Palmer (retiring members), Mrs E. Reynolds (a member of the Abingdon Board of Guardians), Mr W. Cordell (a land, steward under the Small Holdings Act), Mr W. Bernthall (Organising Secretary and Liberal Agent for North Berks), Mr H. P. Simpson (outfitter), and Mr A. E. Tombs (grocer). The result of the poll was declared amid much excitement and the cheering of a large crowd late on Saturday evening, as follows: —Preston, 1,201; Reynolds, 813 Cordell, 640; Simpson, 607 ; Bernthall. 605; Palmer. 515; and Tombs, 204.

lt is unanimously agreed that the selection by the Town Council of Abingdon of Robert West Langford as the new Mayor is an excellent one, and will give general satisfaction in the town. Mr Langford is senior and managing director of Messrs R. F. Langford and Sons, Ltd., coal and corn merchants, carrying on an extensive business in Abingdon, with branches in Faringdon, Wantage, Steventon, and Challow. As a young man he entered the Town Council in 1913 at a contested election, and headed the poll, 521 votes being recorded in his favour. He is a member of the ‘Abbey’ Lodge of Freemasons, organist of the Trinity Wesleyan Church, and takes a keen interest in the affairs of the town.

Whilst returning from Oxford on Saturday, Mr Reginald Stacey, of Abingdon, found a man in a ditch on the Radley Road, who had fallen off his bicycle. He was a discharged soldier, named William Waine, of Harwell, who had been to the Medical Board at Oxford, and on returning had a severe heart attack whilst riding. Assistance was obtained and he was taken to the house of some friends at Abingdon.

Saturday 15th November 1919
At the Abingdon Borough Court on Tuesday, before the Mayor, and Messrs. Downing, Tatham, Paul, Clarke and Ricketts … Ptes Jones and Lost, of the R.A.O.C., Didcot. were fined 2s each for riding bicycles without lights at Abingdon on Nov. 1st.

The street lighting is to renewed on the pre-war standard, and the tower clock of St. Nicholas Church is to be lighted during the winter months from dusk to 11 p.m.

The new Unionist agent for the Abingdon Division North Berks is Captain S. T. Austin, Berks Yeomanry. He served as staff officer under the command Brig.-Gen. J. T. Wigan, the sitting M.P. for the Division.

The Town Football Club on Saturday met Roysse School on their ground, and won by 4 goals to 2.

The Great Silence.— The two minutes silence on Tuesday was duly observed at Abingdon. The siren at the Pavlova Leather Factory gave the signal. At 11.5 a short service of commemoration of the fallen in the was held at St. Nicholas Church. The Comrades of the Great War placed a large laurel leaf wreath at the Memorial Cross in the Square, inscribed Lest we forget.

Saturday 22nd November 1919
The Abingdon Town Band commenced a series of winter dances in the Roysse Room on Wednesday evening, which was well attended.

The Abingdon Town Council have reverted to the old custom of holding their quarterly meetings the morning instead of in the evening.

The Abingdon Cottage Hospital has had £50 bequeathed by the late Mr William Harris, of Croydon, formerly of Abingdon.

The Abingdon Comrades of the War held a successful whist drive at their Club Room on Thursday last, prizes being given by town tradesmen. The prizes were awarded, to Misses Thorless, Clay, and Armstrong, and Messrs Clarke, and W. Pocock.

Two children, Arthur and Vera Branson, of Ock Street, Abingdon, whilst crossing the road near the Post Office collided with a light car, the wheel of which ran over the girl’s left arm and the middle of the boy’s body. They were taken to the Cottage Hospital where it was found that no serious injuries had been the result.

The Abingdon Ladies’ Party held their annual sale of work on behalf of the Church Home and Foreign Missions, in the Abingdon Corn Exchange on Thursday last, when there was a large attendance and ready sales. Tea was served and a ladies orchestra was a pleasant item. The proceeds amounted to upwards of £112.

At the Abingdon Board of Guardians meeting on Monday last, the Clerk reported that an increase had been made by the Oxford Board for maintenance of children in Cowley Poor Law Schools from 12s. to 17s 6d. per week, which the Board agreed to.

There was a good gate on Saturday at Abingdon on the occasion of a League match between Abingdon Town Club and the Abingdon Pavlova Leather Factory Club. The game aroused much interest between the spectators. The Factory won by 2 goals to nil. This was the first match this season lost by the Town Club.

During an auction sale at Abingdon last Friday week of tractors and ploughs by order of the Board of Agriculture the motor car of a farmer attending the sale was stolen. Mr W. Mobbs, of Warren Farm, Culham, the owner, left it in Caldecott Road, whilst he went into the sale meadow, and on returning found it had disappeared. It was a Morris two seater car and painted grey.

The Abingdon Comrades of the War now number 250 it was stated at a general meeting held last week. In response to an appeal for subscriptions and donations recently issued, the sum of £58 13s. had been received by the treasurer, Mr P. J. North.

The Rev B. C. MacKeown, M.A, one of the Abingdon parochial clergy and late chaplain of H.M. Forces during the War is giving addresses to men only on Monday evenings in St Nicolas Church, Abingdon, on the subject of ‘The War and Religion.’

Another human skeleton has been found by the workmen engaged in the alterations being carried out at the ‘Horse and Jockey Inn,’ Abingdon, the teeth of which were in good preservation. A few weeks ago the workmen on the same premises found several human skeletons under the flooring.

The subscription list to the Abingdon Roysse School War Memorial Fund has reached the sum of £1,303 6d.

Thankyou for the extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette. The announcements came from the North Berks Herald