St Ethelwolds Garden – May 2024

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The peace pole stands proudly amidst a flower bed bursting with shades of pink. The volunteer gardeners have carried out Simon’s wish to give this bed a pink theme this year.

This morning, the volunteers were hard at work, their shears trimming and their hands planting. One volunteer was cutting the edges around Mark’s Wildflower Meadow.

A few days ago, the garden room and the hut at the end of the garden hosted art as part of Oxfordshire Art Weeks

The garden is currently full of blooms and out of these tower irises and foxgloves.

A bumblebee flies among the flowers, contributing to the process of pollination.

High up in the branches of a large tree, a blackbird pours out its song.

Abingdon 100 Years Ago – May 1924

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It appears that May 2024 in Abingdon was a busy one! Here is a trip back in time to see what locals were up to:

Local News

The annual May fair was a modest affair, lacking the usual roundabout and music.

The Abingdon Croquet Club kicked off their season with a successful AGM and re-elected their committee.

Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club started their season with mixed results, losing against Faringdon.

The annual spring stock sale at Brewery Meadow, off Ock Street, saw a good turnout and strong prices for cattle.

Mr. C. D. Adkin, a respected auctioneer and community leader, passed away.

The Council Schools held a concert to raise funds for a music festival.

A rummage sale organized by Miss Estridge raised over £14 for the upkeep of Abingdon New Church Hall.


Lady Rucker of Newbury demonstrated how to make footwear from string at the Northcourt Women’s Institute.

A whist drive was held at the Pavlova Canteen to benefit the National Institute for the Blind.

Courtroom Drama

A farmer sought to evict a tenant whose filthy habits rendered the cottage uninhabitable.

A tramp confessed to setting fire to a hayrick at Lodge Hill, claiming hunger and wetness as his motives.


Community and Culture

The North Berks Scouts held a rally in Albert Park.

Mr. Coxeter, the long-serving Chief of the Fire Brigade, stepped down, and Mr. Joseph Gib— was appointed his successor.

The Salvation Army announced the departure of their successful Commanding Officers, Ensign and Mrs. Berry.

A United Service at the Primitive Methodist Church drew a good crowd.


A Local Author Gets Recognition

Abingdon resident Oswald J. Couldrey’s book “South Indian Hours” received a glowing review in The Times, praising its cultural depth and evocative writing. It was chosen as book of the week.

Sources were the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive, The North Berks Herald from the Abingdon Library microfilm, The Times archive accessible from Abingdon Library online. Thanks to the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette on the BNA for the pictures.

June Events at Mostly Books

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Thanks to Aileen for an update on Mostly Books events.

Celebrating Pride Month, Mostly Books are hosting a Queer Writers’ Panel in the shop, chaired by author Laura Kay (Wild Things). On the panel are Jiaming Tang (Cinema Love), Luke Turner (Men at War), and Neil Blackmore (Radical Love).

Debut author Claire Daverley will be joining them in the shop to discuss her novel, Talking at Night. It’s a beautiful and heartfelt love story perfect for fans of One Day and Normal People.

Saturday 22nd June – Reverend Richard Coles at the Amey Theatre – 7pm, £16 ticket / £28 ticket and book. To round off the Independent Bookshop Week there is an evening with Reverend Richard Coles in conversation with author Joanna Cannon, discussing the third book in the Canon Clement Mystery series, Murder at the Monastery, and more besides.

See https://mostly-books.co.uk/events/

Abingdon Bank Holiday Walks

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The Friends of Abingdon organised a series of Bank Holiday walks today, all departing from the Market Place. In the morning there were four walks on offer, and all places were filled. Penny Clover led a walk exploring the historic boundaries of Abingdon. John Killick guided participants on a nature walk through the Abbey Meadows, showcasing the area’s biodiversity. There was an “Edible Abingdon” walk.

And for the historians, there was a walk around the historic pubs of Abingdon.

The town crier helped lead the boundary walk.

In the afternoon, I led a walk highlighting Abingdon’s public artworks. The surprise hit was the Octagon sculpture near the Old Gaol. Many participants were surprised to learn this land is freely accessible.

The other afternoon walks were: Abingdon’s Oppidum, Rivers of Abingdon, and a nature walk with David Guyoncourt.