AA Road Information
Abingdon – Dorchester. Poor to Culham, then good. Abingdon Bridge closed to heavy traffic (A.A. Loopway signs in place).
Rowstock Sensation – Grievous Bodily Harm and Attempted Suicide
There was considerable interest by the general public, who filled the public portion of the Guildhall, Abingdon, and waited outside in large numbers to get a glimpse of the principal parties in the recent sensation at Rowstock. A Steventon labourer, Albert William Tyrrell, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to 65-year-old Mrs. Mary Denton and attempting suicide. Mrs. Denton said Tyrrell visited her cottage before returning the next morning, forcing entry. He then attacked her, choking her, forcing a cloth into her mouth, striking her, and beating her with a poker while demanding money. A nearby off-duty police constable heard her screams and, after tending to her, found Tyrrell nearby with a throat wound. Tyrrell was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.
“More or Enough? Guardians Consider Workhouse Inmates’ Diet”
The Master (Mr. H. Smith) reported with regard to a Government inspector’s report recommending changes to the inmates’ diet. The Housing and Visiting Committee proposed some alterations, including the substitution of rice pudding for boiled rice and the provision of additional fats for children.
Mr. Tatham questioned the Master and suggested that the report be referred back for more detailed consideration. The Master, however, stated that while the full proposals might amount to £250 per year, the committee had not been guided solely by cost. They had already given it careful consideration (for an hour), and they concluded that, apart from the suggested alterations, the existing diet was sufficient, and the inmates were well provided for.
Abingdon unlucky at Cowley — Disputed goal decides
Abingdon Town visited Cowley and were defeated 3–2 in windy weather. Owing to illness, Abingdon were compelled to field a weakened side and to reshuffle their players.
The game opened fast, with Town attacking, and North gave them the lead with a fine cross-shot. Morris Motors equalised through a defensive blunder by the Town defence. The homesters’ goalkeeper was prominent with several good saves, but was eventually beaten by Pratley, who again put Town ahead. Morris Motors, however, drew level just on half-time.
During the second half Ellis was very unlucky. Just before the close the homesters scored the winning goal, but this appeared to be a bad decision by the referee, as the scorer was yards offside and, much to the surprise of both teams, the goal was allowed to stand.
Abingdon School Athletic Meeting
The annual athletic contests between Abingdon School and the Old Abingdonians Club took place on Saturday afternoon on the school ground. Events included: 100 yards, high jump, quarter mile, half mile, hurdles, long jump, throwing the weight, and relay race.
Death of an Old Abingdonian
We regret to record the death of Mr. Charles Badcock, of 66 West St Helen Street. The deceased, who was 67 years of age, was for nine and a half years in the Royal Berks Regiment and served in the Afghan War. Subsequently, he was for over 26 years a member of the Metropolitan Police force, and for 15 years he was gatekeeper at the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. His death, suddenly from heart failure at his son-in-law’s house on Saturday week, came as a shock to his wide circle of friends. Much sympathy is extended to the widow and family of the deceased, who was twice married. The funeral took place at the cemetery on Saturday.
Riotous behaviour in Churchyard
J. Carter, Bernard Evans, Harry Linnigar, and Joe Gerring, all of Sutton Courtenay, were summoned at the Abingdon County Bench for riotous behaviour in the churchyard of Sutton Courtenay Parish Church on the 21st February. PC Newman stated that, following complaints from the church council, he kept observation on the church during the evening service at 6:20 p.m. The four defendants went to a church window, pressed their faces against the glass, and shouted, disturbing those inside.
He watched them for about ten minutes before approaching. The defendants ran off shouting, but he caught them and told them they would be reported.
The Rev. Rendall said the congregation had been disturbed on several Sundays by loud talking outside. The church council instructed the constable to make enquiries to identify the offenders. Rev. Rendall hoped the magistrates would deal with it leniently. They were found guilty and fined 5s each.
Permission to marry as a minor
A novel application was made to the County Justices at Banbury last Thursday morning when a young man, 20 years of age, asked permission of the Bench to marry as a minor. He said he was five months under 21, and both his parents objected to his marriage. His fiancée, who lived at Abingdon, had obtained the consent of her parents. The Bench, on the advice of the Clerk (Mr. E. L. Fisher), adjourned the application for a fortnight in order that the parents on both sides could attend, and notice would be sent to them accordingly.
Where the short skirt is dangerous (taken from the ‘Matters that Interest Women’ section of the North Berks Herald)
Let us hope that any women readers who intend to spend Easter abroad will look into the laws of the country to be visited concerning the matter of dress before they visit it. In some cases they must not take short skirts if they would escape the law, and so any sewing that is to be done must be carried out with a view to local conditions rather than English fashion. A girl has just been arrested in Athens because her skirt was 15 in. from the ground; that is, 1½ in. shorter than the recent law permitted. She was taken to a police court, tried immediately, and remanded in custody for 24 hours. The story has its moral. The knee-length skirt which many Englishwomen fancy is a short cut to imprisonment in many foreign lands.
Abingdon Cottage Hospital: more patients, fewer subscriptions
The annual report recorded 113 patients treated during the year, an increase of 29, with an average of seven per day. Outpatients rose to 293 (up 60), with 2,755 attendances, an increase of 497. The district nurse made 765 visits to 52 patients.
Several serious accidents were treated. Subscriptions and donations had decreased, while expenditure had risen, particularly for extra nursing. Additional costs included night nursing, women sitting up with patients, and a bicycle for district work.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to the British Newspaper Archive for access to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette.
Additional thanks to the North Berks Herald Library microfilm in the Abingdon Library for stories and the Oxford Journal in Oxford Library for the picture of the athletics and the bridge.