At the Abbey Buildings last night an architect from Purcell gave an initial look at some options for increasing the usage, looking after the fabric, and improve accessibility.

This study is funded by the initial feasibility study stage of a Heritage Lottery Grant, and could lead on if selected to a stage 1 and stage 2 lottery grant and a very important project for the Abbey Buildings.

There were options and plans and ideas on display in the Checker Building, the oldest part of the Abbey Buildings – the architect told us.

The architect spoke about the options for opening up the building with an external lift, and opening up doorways that have been closed up. But all of that will not come cheap, and so a HLF grant is needed and the support of local councils, and people.

This morning there were Heritage Walks from the Market Place.

One of them, the Lost Abbey Tour, started in St Nicolas Church, and went into the history of the Great Abbey Church, and it surrounds, which once dominated the town. The Abbey Buildings, and Abbey Gateway are all that remains of that once great abbey.

The Nags Head Inn, on Abingdon Bridge, is currently getting the roof re-layed.

I am guessing from the previous underlay that this is the first time in a long time.

I have a postcard of the Nag’s Head, posted in 1916 but it could be taken years earlier. It came in the post today thanks to Ebay. All rights are reserved to the publisher A.E.H London if they or their successors still exist.

The Pub sign has large writing so it is easy to read.

A young family stand in the middle of the road, and behind them, where The Chinese Takeaway is now, is a large sign for an establishment called The Bridge. The writing beneath cannot be deciphered at this distance. But I will pop into the Library tomorrow and see if the local history section can tell me any more.

Christ’s Hospital is the charity that runs these almshouses and has done for over 450 years. One of Christ’s Hospital’s aims is to provide almshouses to townsfolk who are of good character, over 50 years of age and in need.

The Master and Governors of the charity meet every month in Christ’s Hospital Hall, in the Long Alley Almshouses (build 1446), to discuss the almshouses, and the other three principal aims of the charity.

In recent meetings the maintenance and costings for work on some of the almshouses was discussed. Work is underway this summer…

Brick Alley (brick work)

St John’s(roof)

Twitty’s(paintwork)

The Governors will open Christ’s Hospital Hall during Heritage weekend (8th September) this year. (2018 will be a fairly quiet year Heritage weekend other-wise. More soon.)

Taken from the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette. © Successor rightsholder unknown. All Rights Reserved.

3rd August 1918

The death is announced of Mr John Busby King, aged 70 the late senior partner in the firm of Messrs King and Adkin, auctioneers, Abingdon,- now Messrs Adkin, Belcher and Bowen.

Alexandra Day was celebrated in Abingdon on Saturday last. The proceeds were devoted to Abingdon Cottage Hospital, Abingdon Red Cross Hospital and Sanatorium Comforts Fund, the North Berks Nursing Association, the Radcliffe Infirmary, and the Oxford Eye Hospital. The summary of receipts shows : Stalls, etc.. £169 0s 0 1⁄2d.; rose sales and collections, £134 3s 11 2⁄3d.; concert, show and amusements, £89 8s 9 1⁄4d.; donations, £9 10s.; sale of programmes and sundry items, £5 14s 2 1⁄4d

10th August 1918

Sapper T. Giddings, 10 Mayotts’s Road, Abingdon, reported missing on March 22nd, is officially reported to have died in Germany.

2nd Lieut. P. L. Howard, Royal Berks, of Caldecott Road, reported missing, has been officially reported by the War Office as being a prisoner of war.in Germany.

Bowling Competition. The fifth annual competition by the Abingdon Bowling Club for the President’s (Mr A Preston) Challenge Bowl came off on the Albert Park Green on Thursday. Mr W. Tombs, the holder both in 1915 and 1916, became again the winner of the Challenge Bowl.

On Sunday, St Helen’ Church, Abingdon, observed National Remembrance Day with special services combining both St. Michael’s and St. Nicolas’ Churches. There were large congregations, and at the morning service the Mayor and Corporation attended. The special War Litany was said after the sermon and the National Anthem sung before and after the service. The offertories were for the Prisoners of War Fund and amounted to £32 18s 7d.

17th August 1918

The Bishop of Reading, who resides at the Abbey House, Abingdon, was 90 years old on August 4th.

The Military Cross has been awarded to the Rev. H. Cole, former Curate of Abingdon.

Pte. Harry Crook, Worcester Regt., son of Mr George Crook, of West St. Helen Street, Abingdon, is reported to have been gassed.

During a bombing raid over the German lines on July 30th, Lieut. Kenneth Vivian King, R.A.F., son of Mr G. E. King, Veterinary Surgeon, The Vineyard, Abingdon, is reported to have been killed. Twelve aeroplanes, it appears, took part the raid ever the German Divisional Headquarters, and were heavily engaged, the enemy aircraft not being observed in consequence of a thick mist, until they got to close quarters. Lieut. King’s machine, with two others, was brought down in the British lines, and both Lieut. King and the observer were killed. Deceased, who was 21 years of age, was formerly assistant to his father in the veterinary profession.

24th August 1918

In the Thames Lock Gardens annual competitions Mr A. Baldwin, Abingdon Look-keeper, has again secured the first prize in section 2, which extends from Iffley Look to Roebuck Ferry.

L.Cpl, Reginald Cottrell, son of and Mrs Cottrell, of Ock Street, Abingdon, posted missing on May 27ih, has now sent to say that he is prisoner of war, and is well.

Pte. H. Bond, of Bury Street, Abingdon, is reported as having died of wounds in France July 24th. He joined the Fusiliers when they were billeted in Abingdon, and was transferred to the Royal Sussex, serving in Egypt for 12 months. He had only been in France few weeks.

Taken from https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk.