Abingdon 100 years ago – April 1919

Abingdon 100 years ago
5th April
Mr and Mrs Joseph Fray, for many years master and matron of the Abingdon Workhouse, concluded their offices on Monday last, who after having resigned about two years ago, generously kept on the duties during the war. The Oxford Workhouse being occupied by the military, the inmates were transferred to the Abingdon Institution.and to mark their appreciation of Mr and Mrs Fray’s work during that time has presented them with an inscribed marble clock.

The demobilisation of the Abingdon Red Cross Hospital (Tesdale House) took place the 21st, and final staff meeting ceremony took place at the Council Chamber in the afternoon when the Matron Miss King was presented with an excellent tea service in recognition and gratitude for her work.

The Abingdon Church Boys Club has been restarted at the Old Foundry, near St Helen’s Church, by the river-side. The Rev C. S. Thomas, who left the Abingdon clerical staff to take up armv work, has again taken up the management of the club.
Abingdon 100 years ago
12th April

At the Abingdon Borough Police Court on Tuesday, Ernest Butler, labourer, Ock Street, Abingdon, was fined 7s 6d for being found drunk at the Horse and Jockey Inn, Ock Street. It was also reported that the Abingdon lad remanded to the Workhouse till a home could be found, had absconded from that institution that morning at 9 o’clock.

The supplies at Abingdon Cattle Market on Monday last were 22 butchers beasts and 44 fat sheep, all of which were allotted to Windsor.

Thomas George Smith, 23, of West Hendred, discharged soldier, remanded from Thursday last, was brought up charged with stealing from the Milton Military Stores Depot, a roll of rubberoide roofing, value 25s 5d., the property of the Air Ministry.
Abingdon 100 years ago
19th April
The Abingdon Cricket Club held a meeting last week to consider the restarting of the Club for the forthcoming cricket season. The Mayor presided, and it was agreed to prepare the ground and recommence practice as soon as possible. The funds of the Club are satisfactory. Many of the old members have been discharged from Military service and a busy cricket season is anticipated.

The working parties of the Abingdon Branch of the Berkshire Voluntary Association for war comforts to soldiers are discontinued, but are asked to continue the work on behalf of St. Dunstan’s Hostel for the Blind.

A fund has been started for the Memorial to Soldiers and Old Boys of Roysse School, Abingdon, who have fallen in the War, and it is suggested to add a wing to the building and place a memorial tablet in the School chapel. The list of subscriptions are …
Abingdon 100 years ago
26th April
Easter Services were well observed in the Abingdon Churches and Chapels, the decorations were very effective, and the congregations good. The offertories of St. Helen’s, St. Michael’s, and St. Nicholas’ Churches were given as an Easter offering to the Vicar.

A fire broke out in a cottage at Court 9, Ock Street, Abingdon, on Sunday evening, the occupant being an elderly man named Taylor. The fire was caused by a beam in the chimney becoming ignited. The Fire-Brigade’s prompt assistance prevented much damage from being done.

Thankyou to extracts from the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette – All Rights Reserved.

Riverside view of Abingdon – Then and Now

Then and Now
Here is the riverside view towards St Helen’s Church taken from Wilsham Road.
Then and Now
Here is a similar view from an Andrew Warland postcard.

The factory chimney has gone, and there are more trees now, but there are the same historic buildings: church, almshouses, bridge, Anchor Inn, malthouse.

The riverside view of Abingdon coming upstream shows one of the most ancient, picturesque, and interesting towns on the River Thames – then and now.

Abingdon Shop Change – Patisserie to Massage

Patisserie to Massage
Delicious Abi, the patisserie on West St Helen Street, closed in March, and the shop front has changed to Abingdon Thai Massage. They will give head, foot, back and oil massage.

I did look up Thai Massage on Wikipedia and read ‘Traditional Thai massage uses no oils or lotions.’ That just shows that Wikipedia does not always get things right.

Wikipedia also says the founder of Thai massage and medicine is said to have been Shivago Komarpaj the Buddha’s physician over 2,500 years ago.

UK Active in Abingdon

UK Active have awards for sports centres and people who make a healthier and more physically active nation. For UK Active awards 2019 an Abingdon sports centre and person are in the running for their awards.
UK Active
The White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre is a finalist for two categories: Inclusion & Disability Award, and Southern UK Regional Club / Centre.
UK Active
Viv Boorman (pictured here); is a finalist for Physical Activity Champion.

Viv began Abingdon Health Walks in 2003 after retiring from teaching. She recruited other people to help lead walks, beginning small with no funding. She started walks at The White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre with people mostly between 60 and 80 years old. What started with a small group has grown and grown.

You can read more on the UK Active awards 2019 site, and Vote for Viv.