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.
Further up Turn Again Lane was once a motorcycle garage called Bridge Garage? They also had a small showroom where I think Fab Flowers are now or it may have been the other side of the barbers?
A tale about the Nags, apparently around the turn of the last century it belonged to one of the Hanks family from Sutton Courtenay (my grand mother was one) who apparently lost the premise in a card game? It’s also said he drove his horse and cart from SC along the frozen Thames to Abingdon in the great freeze? I think that was about 1895? I have a photo of it somewhere?
Interesting photo. You should try to take another from exactly the same viewpoint. Should one not be able to see the Old Gaol or even St Helens steeple?
The finishing line of the 1912 pram race. The Children helping there mother over the line after visiting all the pubs we had then.
According to Oxford weather station data, February 1895 was the second coldest month on record: mean minimum of -5.3 deg C. The coldest month was (yes, you’ve guessed it) January 1963 at -5.8 deg C.
Maybe St Helens was only built in the 1920s and they have been lying to us all these years.
Looking at some old stuff I have there was a fruit & veg store there at that time-nay be that?
The Gail is further to the left and StHelens even further.
Oops predicted text !
Dear ‘Horsesmouth’,
I have just come across your fascinating contribution to the Abingdon blog of September 7, 2O18 about the Hanks family.
I think we share Great Grandparents and presumably your Grandmother was one of my Great Aunts – Mabel or Eva, whom I knew when young.
Along with cousin Bill (Hanks) I am much into the family history and would love to hear from you.
I’m pretty sure I too was told the story about Tom Hanks driving a cart on the ice from Sutton
Kind regards
Roger Wiggins
Hello,
Does anyone have any pictures etc of the coal yard in Sutton Courtenay going back. It was owned by my Great Great Grandfather Hanks. Also the shop in Drayton owned by my Great Great Grandparents E.W Winfield. My dad Peter Honey originally from Bayworth, Abingdon. My Great Great Grandmother Sarah Honey lived in one of the White Cottages opposite St Leonard’s Church, Sunningwell. She had connections and looked after the Church and is buried there.
Many thanks