Board of Guardians Abingdon Union:
The Master, Mr. Charles Howard, reported 110 inmates in the house, as against 96 in the corresponding period of last year. The officers and inmates thanked the Guardians for the extras provided during Christmas when they had a very enjoyable time.

Abingdon Borough Court:
Frank Ride of Ock Street, Abingdon, was fined £5 for riding a bicycle without lights in Ock Street on Christmas Eve.

Feast of Epiphany:
On the Feast of Epiphany (Sunday), a very devotional and excellently rendered service was given in St. Helen’s Church in the afternoon, and a large congregation assembled. The choir was a mixed one.

New Management at Messrs. Brind Gillingham & Co., Ltd.:
New management has taken place, whereby Mr. George F. Palmer, Stert Street, Abingdon, has taken up the position of Chairman of directors, with Mr. H. Brind as vice-chairman and secretary.

Board of Guardians Abingdon Union:
The Abingdon Guardians have been somewhat perturbed in consequence of the report of the Ministry of Health on the costs of indoor maintenance of various Unions in the districts. The report stated that the average cost was 10s. 8d per week per inmate, but that Abingdon Union had the second-highest cost per inmate on the list of Unions in the Central Division, which was 14s. per week per head, with Oxford City topping the list at 14s. 8d. A special committee was appointed to consider the subject.

Bowling Club Dinner:
The annual dinner of the Abingdon Bowling Club took place at the Lion Hotel, High Street, on Wednesday last, when Alderman J. E. Cottrell presided in the absence of the President (Alderman A. E. Preston) due to ill-health. The visitors included members of the Oxford City and South Oxford Bowling Club. The toast of “Success to the Abingdon Bowling Club” was proposed, and club prizes presented for the past season.

Trinity Wesleyan Church Services:
At both services at Trinity Wesleyan Church on Sunday, sympathetic reference was made to the great loss Methodism had sustained in the death of the Reverend Granger Hargreaves. The Reverend gentleman was a favourite preacher at Abingdon. After the evening service, the congregation stood while the organ played ‘O rest in the Lord.’

Three Men in a Pub:
Three men were seen in a public house in Abingdon on Monday night whose combined ages totalled 248. Their individual ages were 95, 81, and 73.

Death of Master of Abingdon Union:
The death of Mr. Charles Howard, Master of the Abingdon Poor Law Institution, took place after a short illness on Friday morning at his residence. The deceased was able to attend the Board of Guardians on the previous Monday and presented his report as usual, and then seemed in his usual health. He fell ill on the same evening, and he developed double pneumonia. The deceased was 43 years of age and leaves a widow and three children. Deceased had held the post at Abingdon for nearly four years, having taken up his duties in April 1919, his wife became Matron. During the war, this Union was used as a V.A.D. hospital, and deceased joined the R.F.A. and went to France and Italy. Deceased was respected in his official capacity and was by his kind and courteous nature liked by the inmates of the Union. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Cemetery. The wreaths numbered over 50.

The British Empire Cancer Campaign:
Miss B. Challenor thanks all who contributed to the above fund. The amount collected was £11 14 shillings, and this has been forwarded to the British Red Cross Society, Berkshire Branch.

Unity Sunday:
Next Sunday is known as Unity Sunday among the free churches. The outward and visible sign of this locally is seen in the exchange of pulpits. Next Sunday, Reverend E. Dando goes to the Primitives, Reverend J.P. Morris to the Wesleyans, and Ensign Berry to the Baptist Church. Due to special circumstances, the Congregational Church will not join in the movement next Sunday, but it is hoped that arrangements will be carried out later with another church.

Children’s Fancy Dress Ball:
Organized by Miss M. Challenor, in aid of the local Boy Scouts Association, the ball was held in the council chamber on Saturday afternoon. With over 60 children present, games and dancing were indulged in. A fancy-dressed competition was held, judged by Lady Norman and Mrs. Cooper. Geraldine Docker was awarded the first prize in the girls’ section for an excellent representation of a Hawaiian. Maureen Stone, a dainty little fairy, was judged worthy of the second prize. In the boys’ section, Michael Austin gained premier honours as a Dutch boy, while Norman Challenor was successful in obtaining the second prize as a red Indian. Special prizes were awarded to Mickey Thorburn (blue elf on a silver moon), John Viney (duckling), and Winnie Long (Jackie Coogan). Other contestants worthy of note were Pearl Belcher (tent), Miss C. Fletcher (Viking), and Miss C. Belcher (Reckitt’s Blue).

Abingdon Pavlova 0 Abingdon Town 4:
The local derby between Abingdon Town and Pavlova played on Westfield last Saturday ended in victory for the town by four goals to nil. Pavlova lacked the service of some players, which necessitated much alteration in the team.

North Court Women’s Institute:
On January 4th, the members of the Institute gave a Christmas party, with all North Court children up to 14 years of age, irrespective of whether their mothers belong to the Institute or not. Miss Tathum gave a Christmas tree with toys for the children, and all members received a bag of sweets. The members amply provided refreshments, and the surplus was sent to the Abingdon Union Institution to provide treats for the little children.

Regarding the Railway Strike:
Cullen Stores informed us that they’ve made complete arrangements for road delivery of goods from all parts, thus assuring the public adequate supplies. There’ll be no increase in prices, with any extra cost of transport being borne by Cullen’s.

Post Office Annual Dinner:
About 40 members of the postal staff sat down under the chairmanship of Mr. Fisher, sub-postmaster, to a dinner at the Assembly rooms on Saturday. The dinner was followed by an excellent musical program.

Death of an Old Inhabitant:
There passed away during the week one of Abingdon’s oldest and most respected inhabitants, Mr. George James Vickers. The deceased was in business for many years in Ock Street and was well-known in the town and neighbourhood. He had been a member of the Wesleyan Church for 54 years, until recently acting as a sidesman. Some years ago, he retired from business, and although he had attained the great age of 83, he had enjoyed good health until the last month or so.

Thank you for the news extracts and adverts from the Wiltshire Herald and Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette in the British Newspaper Archive. The photographs came from the Oxford Journal Illustrated. Also, thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in Abingdon Library for some stories and adverts and the cartoon.