Notices:

Orders for “B” Company, Royal Berks Regiment (Territorials) for the that week included parades at 7:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursday, both in Dress Drill Order, under the command of Captain W. D. Gall.

The rainfall registered at the Park during the month of February totalled 3.33in., the rain falling on twenty-two days, the heaviest fall being .57 on the 25th.

Elections:

Nominations for the Berkshire County Council elections have been announced. For the Abingdon area, the following individuals have been nominated and all were unopposed:

Abingdon (Urban) East: Mr. W. Brewer, Hyde End Lodge, Shinfield.
Abingdon (Urban) West: Mr. W. M. Grundy, Headmaster of Abingdon School.
Abingdon (Rural): Mr. P. Aldwinckle, Shippon Manor, farmer.
Cumnor: Mr. A. P. Iliffe, Overdale, Foxcombe Hill.
Drayton: Mr. F. A. Smith, East Hendred, farmer.

Appointments and Memorials:

Miss Eleanor J. Broad, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Broad of Abingdon, has been appointed matron of the London County Council Mental Hospital, Hanwell. Miss Broad trained at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and previously served as matron of the Oxford County Mental Hospital and assistant matron at Horton Mental Hospital. She holds certificates in midwifery and mental nursing.

A meeting was held to discuss erecting a memorial to the late Mr. F. K. Couldrey, who served as the organist of St. Helen’s Church for 60 years. A subscription list will be opened to fund a tablet, costing £40, to be placed near the organ.

Incidents and Accidents:

The Abingdon Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a fire on Swinburne Road where a caravan and shed belonging to Mr. Jack Hudson were ablaze. While the fire was controlled, both the shed and caravan were completely destroyed. A pony stabled in the shed perished in the fire.

Thomas Stimpson (60) of Drayton was knocked down by a horse attached to a plough while working on his farm. He sustained a broken leg and is currently detained at the Radcliffe Infirmary.

Legal and Police Matters:

At the County Bench on Monday, a case was heard against William Brown of Steventon for driving without lights and being drunk while in charge of a motor vehicle. P.C. Wood reported observing Brown’s car without lights and found Brown staggering and slurring his words. Despite Brown’s insistence on his ability to drive, Inspector Gallop was called, and Brown was eventually persuaded to leave his vehicle. The defence argued Brown had been working as a driver and his hirer claimed he felt safe with his driving. The Bench dismissed the charge of drunkenness but fined Brown 10s. for driving without lights.

In a separate police case, John Harris, a labourer, was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly in Ock Street after being involved in a disturbance and using offensive language. He pleaded guilty.

The case against Arthur Billingham of Oxford, who was summoned for causing an obstruction in Bury Street by leaving his car unattended, was adjourned for a week for his attendance.

Community Events and Social Gatherings:

The monthly meeting of the Northcourt Women’s Institute saw low attendance due to the prevalence of influenza. Mrs. Earle provided a demonstration on jumpers and blouses, and the meeting concluded with the singing of “Jerusalem.”

The Northcourt Social Club’s Clock-Guessing Competition saw many participants try to guess the exact moment the clock stopped (9:27). As no one guessed correctly, the three closest guesses (10:00) will have another chance after the clock is restarted.

The Abingdon Boy Scouts Association dance, held in the Council Chamber, successfully raised £18 1s. 6d.

The Trinity Wesley Guild hosted a “Ladies Evening” in the Wesleyan Schoolroom, featuring a ladies’ jazz band, songs, and amusing charades, followed by supper and games.

Members of the Oxford University Archaeological Society visited Abingdon and were shown local antiquities by Mr. Preston, who also lectured on the history of St Helen’s Church and the Fraternity of the Holy Cross and Christ’s Hospital.

The Congregational Sunday School held an entertainment evening in the Schoolroom, with the entire program performed by the scholars. Individual performances were given by Lily McIntyre, Gladys McIntyre, Nellie Thomas, Norah Adder, Ernest Parry, Kenneth Pimm, and Cyril Carter, reflecting great credit on their trainer, Mrs. Hammond.

The winner of the clock offered as the first prize in the Northcourt Institute Clock-Guessing Competition was announced as Mrs. F. Moore. The correct stopping time was 9 hours and 58 minutes.

Football and Darts

Long Wittenham beat the Abingdon Imperials after a keenly fought cup final game by 3-2 on the Abingdon Town Ground on Saturday. There was a large attendance, and the game was played at a rare pace. At half-time, Wittenham led by 2 goals to nil, but the Imperials played up well after the resumption and soon got level. However, just before the end, Wittenham scored the winning goal. This is creditable as this is the Imps first season.

After the game, Mr. E. A. Lessing, O.B.E., presented the cup to the winning team in the absence of the donor, Mr. E. A. Strauss. The teams were entertained to tea at the “Crown and Thistle,” and the medals were presented by Mr. Lessing. Among those present were the Mayor of Abingdon and Major Glyn, M.P.

An interesting darts match at The Old Balloon Inn saw the local champion, Mr. A. Staniland, defeated by Mr. H. Tripp in a closely contested five-game series (3-2).

Thanks to the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette from the British Newspaper Archive and to the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library. The adverts are from these newspapers. The football cartoon from the North Berks Herald. The picture of Hanwell Mental Hospital was uploaded by Aspro to Wikipedia.