Crowds on the River
The town was full of visitors on June 1st, the fine weather aiding in the success of the Bank Holiday. Steamers arrived full of visitors, and by mid-afternoon not a punt or skiff could be hired. Tea gardens were full, with a charabanc party from Birmingham taking tea upon Mrs. Stevens’ lawn.
Chelsea Flower Show Success
Mr. H. O. Longford, of Withington House, Bath Street, has been awarded the Silver Gilt Floral Medal for his exhibition of tulips at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Show at Chelsea. Mr. Longford took up a collection of about a thousand blooms from his garden and arranged them in a circular bed 10 feet in diameter, around a figure of Mercury.
A Lively Paper Chase
The Junior Imperials held a spirited paper chase. The ‘hares’ were S. Green and L. Harvey. Starting from the Market Place, they laid a false trail at Winsmore Lane and then proceeded to Drayton Road via the Sewage Farm, on to Milton, Steventon, Hinton, Garford, etc., and back to the Abingdon Market Place, covering a distance of about 15 miles. They arrived home without being caught. F. Green, who arrived three minutes after them, was the nearest pursuer.
A Bishop Honoured
The Bishop of Oxford, who is expected to become a member of the House of Lords, was a visitor to the town on Wednesday. On the same day on which the announcement was made that the King had appointed him a Grand Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, he conducted the triennial Visitation at St. Helen’s Church, where he delivered his charge to the clergy of the Abingdon and Wallingford Deaneries. In the course of which he made some outspoken comments on modern marriage. Afterwards, a gathering took place in the Abbey House grounds, where tea was served. The Mayor and Mayoress and members of the Town Council were present.
P.S. The Bishop of Oxford Dr H M Burge has died at the Palace in Cuddesdon, Oxford. Dr Burge who was 63 contracted a chill towards the week-end after a visit to Abingdon. His condition was not regarded as serious. Last evening double pneumonia developed and the end came quickly.
Marriage at St. Helen’s
A pleasing wedding was solemnised at St. Helen’s Church between Miss Winifred Hawkins and Mr. William Froude, both of well-known local families. The bride was charmingly attired in a dress of white crepe-de-chine, with wreath and veil, and carried a bouquet of pink and white carnations. The two bridesmaids wore dresses of blue sateen beaver and carried sheaves of mauve iris. The couple departed for their honeymoon in Bournemouth.
A Storm Remembered
Twenty-five years ago to the day, in 1900, Abingdon was struck by a tremendous thunderstorm, followed by a fierce hail shower. Some stones were said to be “as large as eggs.” A photograph of them is on show in Mr. Warland Andrews’ window.
The Windows that Won
Abingdon’s shopkeepers entered into friendly competition, dressing their windows to great effect. Baylis & Co. triumphed in the food class, Chivers in clothing, and Bottrell & Co. in utility. The judges praised originality but noted some windows lacked a clear display of goods or ticketing, thus reducing their selling power.
Abingdon Girls win at Netball
The match between Sutton Courtney Girls and Abingdon Council Girls was played on the recreation ground on Friday. Sutton had two very strong players but the match resulted in a win for the visitors by 16 goals to 10. Refreshments were supplied by Miss Cross.
Boys National School Outing
On Thursday of last week 105 boys and 5 teachers from the Boys National School had an outing to Princes Risborough. Special railway carriages were chartered from Abingdon. The boys spent the afternoon climbing the Chiltern Hills and some boys visited Kop Hill to watch motorcycle races.
Lots of Sheep and Lambs
There were large supplies at Abingdon on Monday, especially sheep and lambs, which overflowed into the cattle and pig pens, the sheep market being insufficient to take the full supply. A good attendance of buyers created a strong trade, and almost an entire clearance was made.
A Brawl in the Vineyard
Raymond Hudson, of Thrupp, and Percival Clifton, of Didcot, were summoned for fighting in the Vineyard. Both pleaded not guilty.
P.C. Garratt said that at 10:15 p.m. on the evening in question he was on duty outside The Vine in the Vineyard, when he saw the defendants fighting with a crowd of people round them. He saw Clifton knocked down, and while on the ground, he was kicking out at Hudson, who was kicking at Clifton’s feet. With difficulty, the witness stopped them, and they accompanied him to the police station.
Percival Clifton said he and two friends came out of The Vine at 10 o’clock, and a friend named Drewitt was causing a row with Hudson. The witness went to part them, and while doing so, he was knocked down. All he could do was to kick, as he was unable to get up. While he was on the floor, the constable arrived. Drewitt backed out of it and went away — (laughter).
Raymond Hudson said that as he was coming out of The Vine, he accidentally knocked against Drewitt, who took offence and challenged him to a fight. Hudson said he would have nothing to do with it, but Clifton came up and said, “If you are going to fight Drewitt, I am going to fight you” — (laughter). Clifton knocked the witness down and fell with him. The witness got up first and defended himself.
The clerk asked, “Were you both drunk?”
Defendants (in unison): “No, sir!”
After a short discussion, the chairman decided the defendants would be fined 5s each, inclusive of costs.
For the news, thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library and the North Wilts Herald and Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette and LIverpool Daily Post from the British Newspaper Archive. Picture of the Bishop of Oxford By George Harcourt – Art UK: entry hubert-murray-burge-18681925-bishop-of-southwark-19111919-bishop-of-oxford-19191925-16122, Public Domain, Link. Picture of the Abingdon Beauty Spot tobacco card from Ebay. Advert of the Chivers shop from the book Around Abingdon by Pamela Horn.
