The Abingdon Cottage Hospital is organising an “Egg Day” on Monday next, April 9th, when friends are asked to contribute a gift of eggs for preserving.
The Cattle Market was held on Tuesday this week instead of Easter Monday. The supplies were short.
The Mayor and Corporation attended St Helen’s Church, Abingdon, at the Easter Sunday morning service — an ancient custom.
The number of communicants at the three churches on Easter Sunday was as follows: St. Helen’s, 280; St Michael’s, 300; St. Nicolas, 138; total, 718. The offertories to vicar were. St. Helen’s, £61 6s 7d. (a decrease from last year of £7 12s 7d); St. Michael’s, £44 18s. 6d.; St. Nicolas, £13 5s.)
On Easter Monday at Abingdon, there were no organised sports, but there were many visitors by boat, motors and busses. The Abingdon Park Bowling Club commenced its season’s play.
NORTH BERKS AGRICULTURAL SHOW — At a recent meeting of the Society, it was decided that the next show should be held at Abingdon this year on September 13th. Sir Mortimer Singer, K.B.E., is to be invited to act as the president of the Society.
Two interesting football matches at Abingdon on Easter Monday drew a large crowd of spectators on the Town ground. The first was Abingdon Town v. East Hendred in the North Berks League, the home team winning 7-1. This match was followed by Wallingford Minors v. Hendred Minors in the final of the North Berks War Memorial Cup, of which Wallingford was the holder. The Wallingford team were successful in still holding the cup by 4-1.
The NORTHCOURT HUT. The 2nd Abingdon Girl Guides’ Hut was opened by MR M. T. Tatham, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The efforts of the Butterfly POM Concert Party were much appreciated.
At the monthly meeting of the Abingdon Farmers Union branch, held at the Lion Hotel, Abingdon, on Wednesday evening, Mr F. W. Turner presided. A letter was read from the Ministry of Agriculture suggesting representatives of employers and employees should have a free hand in settling disputes. The North Berks Committee, however, were of the opinion that it would be useless to have another meeting, as the agricultural labourers would not entertain any wages under 30s Per week, which, it was stated, the farmers found it impossible to pay.
At the County Bench, Robert Brind, a respectable young man, described as a labourer of Spring Road, Abingdon, was summoned on five different charges of theft. The prisoner was sent for trial at the next Quarter’s Sessions. The prisoner served with the Territorials in the late war and had suffered from shell shock.
At the borough police court on Thursday, Frederick Johnson, a pedlar of no fixed abode, was fined 10s for being drunk and incapable in Queen Street the previous evening. The constable said the prisoner was helplessly drunk.
The Abingdon Primitive Methodists received a visit from the Rev B Sage of Reading. He was the preacher of a special service on Thursday evening. He gave a very lucid address on ‘Oliver Cromwell’. Mr T Leach presided.
A team from the Queen’s Hotel, Abingdon, visited the Lamb Hotel on ‘Thursday evening (the 12th inst.) to play a local team at Russian Pool. The event took place in the Hotel Billiard Room, with a good attendance to witness it. After some excellent play on both sides, Abingdon was successful in winning three games to two.
On Thursday morning Mrs Townsend, the wife of Heber Townsend of 42 West St Helen Street, went into the garden and left a fire burning in the kitchen. Five minutes later, she discovered the kitchen was on fire. A strong draught from the window may have blown a spark onto the hearthrug, which was burnt. An old sofa and curtains, and door also caught fire. The Fire Brigade arrived with the hose cart and dealt with the conflagration before it had obtained a strong hold.
Sympathy is extended to Lady Norman, 36 Bath Street, on the death of her son Colonel Walter Norman, and his wife in a boating accident in India. It is believed that their boat capsized in a squall on Khadakwasla Lake. Mrs Norman was unable to swim. Colonel Norman was drowned in a gallant effort to save his wife. Mrs Munro, a friend, clung to a piece of wood until rescued.
To celebrate the wedding of H.R.H., the Duke of York, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, a grand gaiety ball was held on Thursday evening in the Corn Exchange when everyone had a good time. The hall was tastefully decorated with lanterns and blue streamers. Prizes were given for the best fancy dresses.
On Saturday afternoon, Junior Elsie Alder, a member of the Young People’s Singing Company of the Salvation Army, was accorded an impressive funeral. There was a slow and impressive march of the Corps from her home in Broad Street to the cemetery. At the graveside, ‘Better World’ was sung, and a short address was given by Officers.
Mr A B Woodley of Abingdon, hon. Secretary of the North Berks Football Competitions and a well-known referee has been appointed by the Football Association to act as one of the stewards at the Cup final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham at Wembley. This is an honour much appreciated by the town.
Thank you for the news extracts and adverts from the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette. The Royal Marriage is from the Western Daily Press. All in the British Newspaper Archive. There are also stories from the Berkshire Herald.