Saturday 6th December 1919

A bachelor’s dance was held in the Abingdon Council Chamber on Wednesday evening, when there were nearly 120 present. The Oxford Prize Band supplied the music.

A confirmation was held at St. Helen’s Church, Abingdon, on Sunday afternoon with the new Bishop of Oxford, when the candidates numbered 120, 91 of which were from Abingdon.

A lecture on the Life of Livingstone, with lantern slide illustrations, was held in the Wesleyan Schoolroom on Wednesday evening in last week.

A steam lorry was being driven back to Milton Depot by William Russell, of Reading, when, in Ock Street, Abingdon, in consequence of the gearing it swerved and collided with a cottage, in the occupation of Mr H. Church, knocking the door down and part of the wall.

An inquest was held at Abingdon Police Station on Thursday last by Mr Bromley Challenor, on the death of Jeffrey Brightman, aged 2 years, the child of an ex soldier, Benjamin Brightman, of 7, Gaol Yard. Abingdon, who died on the previous Tuesday through being scalded. The evidence went to show that the mother placed a small bath of hot water on the floor down stairs, and whilst fetching some cold water the deceased fell into the bath and was severely scalded. The child was taken to the Cottage Hospital, where the injuries were attended to, and was brought back home, where he died the following day.

Saturday 13th December 1919

Abingdon has contributed by collections the sum of £l8 10s 7d to the National Home and Orphanage Fund, as this years effort.

The Abingdon Municipal Charity Trustees are distributing from Robert Mayott’s Charity, six overcoats to elderly men, and eight gowns to elderly women, residents of the Borough.

The Guild of the Abingdon Wesleyan Church held a pleasant social evening on Wednesday last week, when the programme included impromptu speaking efforts and games.

A memorial service for the late Mr J. H. Broxup, late headmaster of the Abingdon Council Schools, was held in the Abingdon Trinity Wesleyan Church on Sunday evening last, when there was a large congregation. including many old boys of the Abingdon British Schools, of which he was formerly headmaster, and also past and present scholars of the Council Schools.

In aid of the Abingdon Sanatorium Comforts Fund a very successful subscription dance was held last week in the Abingdon Council Chamber, when nearly 150 were present. Supper was provided by friends, and a substantial sum was raised.

Saturday 20th December 1919
A League match was played at Abingdon, on Saturday, between Abingdon Town and Abingdon Pavlova Club, Abingdon Town winning by three goals to nil. There were, as usual at these matches, many local spectators, and considerable enthusiasm was shown in the game.

The Abingdon Bowling Club are being provided with two more greens in the centre of the Albert Park, the property of Christ Hospital Governors.

The Abingdon Comrades of the Great War held another successful whist drive at their Club Rooms, Ock Street, on Thursday evening last, when nearly 100 were present Six prizes were given by Mrs Councillor Reynolds, and two rabbits by a local farmer.

The only case at this Borough Court on Tuesday last before the Mayor and Mr J. Paul, was M A. Cox. schoolmistress, Ock Street, fined 4s for chimney on fire.

Among the goods found in possession of Bertha Hambleton, (34). 9, Aston Street, Oxford, and Alice Dunton, (24), 17, Field Road, Reading, arrested and charged at Banbury Petty Sessions last week, were found several articles taken from the shops of Messrs Viney, Bros, drapers, Market place, and Madam Lyalls, costumier, High Street, Abingdon.


Saturday 27th December 1919
On Boxing Bay, in very wet weather, a match was played on the Abingdon ground between Abingdon and the Oxford United Trades for the War Memorial Cup, when the score was Abingdon 5, Oxford 0.

A carol service was held on Sunday evening at the Congregational Church from 8 to 9 o’clock. Miss Luker sang ‘The Star of Bethlehem’ and Mrs Pearson, ‘See, Amid the Winter Snow,’ and the special carol issued by St Dunstan’s, entitled, ‘They gave their sight,’ was rendered by the choir. The collection on behalf of blinded soldiers and sailors amounted to £3 5s.

The Abingdon Pavlova Leather Works employees and friends had a large Christmas party at the works. Spring Road. Abingdon, on Saturday, which took the form of a fancy dress ball. One of the large warehouses was decorated profusely for the occasion, and about 600 were present. Prizes were given for the best costume characters.

Saturday 3rd January 1920

St Helen’s bells rang the Old Year out and the New Year in. A devotional service was held at St. Nicolas’ Church at 10 o’clock, and an hour later there was a watch night service in the Wesleyan Schoolroom for the Free Churches.

Thankyou for the extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive. Abingdon adverts came from the North Berks Herald and Save the Children and Great Ormond Street from a national paper. The Happy Year 1920 picture was made using a film still from the 1920 era with snowflakes and title added.