Abingdon-on-Thames for the first time in 2012

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(Pictures of boats on the Thames in Abingdon taken last Sunday)
Abingdon-on-Thames
As far as I can gather 2012 is the first time that Abingdon has officially been called Abingdon-on-Thames.
Abingdon-on-Thames
Looking through Around Abingdon – Archive Photographs compiled by Nigel Hammond, I do see that shops and businesses did use Abingdon-on-Thames extensively on adverts in the early 1900s.  There are also some road signs with the words Borough of Abingdon-on-Thames – but I cannot find evidence it was ever the official name before now.
Abingdon-on-Thames
Looking through Abingdon directories in the library from 1860 through to 1973 I just see the words ‘The Borough of Abingdon ‘ above the Borough Arms.
Abingdon-on-Thames
Does anybody know better?

Abingdon “Monstered” District Drill Competition

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Abingdon Sea Cadets
Thanks to Sue for sending the official press release from the Abingdon Sea Cadets.

“… Weeks of polishing kit and hard work pounding the tarmac at the De La Billiere Cadet Centre on Crabtree Place bore fruition when Abingdon Unit were awarded first place in the Armed Guard and Unarmed Guard categories… ”

The adjoining email said … “We ‘monstered’ our District Drill competition last Sunday winning 2 out of 3 sections and coming second in the third!“

Swans Making Love

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Swans Making Love on the River Thames in Abingdon to the sound of St Helen’s Church Bells calling people to church.

(If the video does not play for you then click the youtube icon near the bottom right and it will play on youtube instead)