Royal Visit to Radley College
Motoring from Didcot via Abingdon, the Prince of Wales visited Radley College yesterday to open a new library. During his visit, he inspected the College Officers’ Training Corps, played squash, and had tea with the prefects before returning to London.

Clerk Resignation
Mr. C. A. Pryce, Clerk to the Borough Magistrates, has announced his resignation from office, effective at the end of the year.

Christmas Window Contest
The Abingdon Chamber of Commerce has arranged a Christmas window contest, offering £3 10s in prizes. Voting cards will be issued, and judging will take place from December 15th to the 20th. The competition is limited to one window per shop, with participation extended to all surrounding villages.

Rev. Wilfred H. Bourne to Preach
The Rev. Wilfred H. Bourne, formerly the general secretary of the local branch of the Y.M.C.A., will preach at the Congregational Church on Sunday. Since leaving Abingdon two years ago, he has entered the United Methodist ministry and now serves the East Dereham Circuit in Norfolk.

Railway Tragedy
Henry James Goff, a Great Western Railway guard from Abingdon, tragically lost his life at Radley Station when struck by an express train. Mr. Goff had been in the service of G.W.R. for many years, rising from a lad porter at Abingdon to become a guard. A prominent churchman, he was a sidesman and server at St. Michael’s. He leaves behind a widow and four children. The inquest revealed that strong winds may have contributed to the accident, and a verdict of accidental death was returned.

Abingdon Union Workhouse Dispute
George Holt, John Bevan, Alfred Cooper, John Smith, and Walter Lewis were brought before a special sitting of the Borough Bench on a charge of refusing to work while inmates of the Abingdon Workhouse. Richard Denver Bushell, Master of the Workhouse, stated that the prisoners entered the workhouse on casual papers. That morning at 8:15, the witness went to the casual ward to ask them to do their task, but they replied they would not work until they had breakfast.

The Masters said they had already been given the prescribed breakfast, but the prisoners refused to eat it. Upon cross-examination, the prisoners complained about the gruel.

Sydney Lloyd, tramp-major at the workhouse, testified that the bread, margarine, and gruel met the requirements under regulations. He said there was nothing wrong with the gruel, which was made of pure Scotch oatmeal and prepared in his room the previous evening. He also said that some inmates of the ward ate it.

P.C. Shuff said he visited the workhouse that morning and heard complaints that the gruel was sour. He tasted it and, although he could not confirm it was sour, he believed it was salty. He said that if he had consumed more than a couple of spoonfuls, he would have been sick.

The chairman decided to discharge the prisoners.

Berks and Wilts Toy Guild
At a committee meeting in Hungerford, the Berks and Wilts Toy Guild reported a record collection of 1,202 toys, which were distributed to Poor Law institutions, hospitals, and homes across the counties.

Sports
Abingdon Town had no match on Saturday, so the players took the opportunity of going to Reading to witness the Reading vs. Darlington cup tie.

Abingdon Pavlova defeated Wantage Town 3–1 in the Reading and District League.

Abingdon Junior Imperials drew with Radley in the North Berks Cup competition.

Abingdon Pavlova triumphed over Tilehurst 2–1 in a replayed Reading Cup tie.

Accident on Oxford Road
A collision occurred near Bagley Wood due to dense fog. George Dilmott of Reading skidded while trying to avoid Edward A. Wall’s motor car, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles.

Memorial Service
A memorial service for the late Mr. H. J. Goff was held at St. Nicholas Church on Sunday afternoon, officiated by the Vicar, Rev. C. E. Fleet. A large congregation attended.

Foreign Missions Meeting
The annual missionary meeting took place in the Roysse Room, with the Vicar, Rev. C. E. Fleet, presiding. Revs. F. O. P. C. Clarke and C. Penn shared their experiences in India and Burma.

Boxing Night Entertainment
The Two Joys, vaudeville entertainers, performed at the Corn Exchange on Boxing Night in aid of the Church Hall. Their show included songs, dances, and mysteries, such as the “Selvit Cabinet Mystery” and the “Flying Lady.”

Funeral of Dorothy Harris
The funeral of seven-year-old Dorothy Harris, who succumbed to diphtheria at Abingdon Hospital, was held at Englefield Churchyard. A procession of schoolchildren, led by their teachers, followed the choir and mourners to the grave.

Culham Road Potholes
The Borough Council has raised concerns about the dangerous state of the Culham Road which is honeycombed with potholes. Despite notifying Oxfordshire County Council, no action has been taken. A letter will now be sent to the Ministry of Transport.

Excursions by G.W.R.
The Great Western Railway is offering excursions to Reading on Boxing Day for the Reading v. Swindon Town football match. Additional trains will run to Newbury Racecourse for steeplechases on December 30th and 31st.

Abingdon Flying Club Show
The Abingdon Flying Club will hold its first pigeon racing show on Boxing Day in the Assembly Rooms, featuring 15 classes. The BBC has advised listeners with aerials near pigeon lofts to make them visible to avoid harming the birds.

Free Church Council Service
A united service, organized by the Free Church Council, was held on Christmas morning at Trinity Wesleyan Church. Rev. N. E. Dando officiated.

Pavlova New Year’s Eve Dance
The Pavlova Athletic Club has arranged a whist drive and dance for New Year’s Eve, starting at 8 p.m. A prize will be awarded for the best fancy dress, and the Pavlova Band will provide music. Refreshments will be available at a moderate price.

Thanks to the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive and to the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library.  The picture of the Prince of Wales, The Easthampstead Union (another Workhouse in Berkshire like Abingdon’s), and the Cowley Poor Law Hospital are from the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette; the XMAS and Two Jays advert is from the North Berks Herald;