Abbey Grounds

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The Abbey Grounds are a short distance from our house. We often walk through them on the way to somewhere else. Today we made them our walk.
Abbey Grounds
The furthest point we got to was the wooden bridge to Barton Fields. We did not cross that bridge or cross the weir. Instead we meandered back over the grass.
Abbey Grounds
The Abbey Grounds had a nine hole pitch and put course until four years ago. The felt tee areas are still partly in place, and the slope of some of the bunkers, but the bunkers and greens have the same length grass as everywhere else. It is all rough now.
Abbey Grounds
The trees are looking very good. Some in blossom.
Abbey Grounds
Others coming into leaf .
Abbey Grounds
Wild flowers are important now that it is not a golf course. Stars of Bethlehem were growing in one place.

Walking back along Abbey Close we passed two PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) on bikes, and a police car – a reminder that we are permitted walks for exercise during the lockdown. There were not the groups of young people, groups of families, or groups doing exercise, you might normally expect to see on such a sunny day.

Abingdon 100 years ago – April 1920

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Saturday 03 April 1920
Abingdon 100 years ago
At St. Helen’s Church on Palm Sunday afternoon the Abingdon Choral Society, under the conductorship of Mr Sheldon Peach, gave a creditable rendering of Stainer’s Crucifixion, when there was a large congregation. Introductory prayers were said by The Vicar, and a silver collection in aid of the Abingdon Cottage Hospital. Miss S. Peach was the principal soloist.

Major J. N. Aldworth has been appointed to command the reconstructed 4th Batt. Royal Berks Regt. He served with his battalion for four years in France and Italy, and gained the M C. in the Somme battle in 1916, and was twice mentioned in dispatches.

The last of a series of Sunday evening musical services at the Abingdon Congregational Chapel, was given on Palm Sunday, when there was a large congregation. The anthem was O Praise the Lord. The Rev. C. H. Gill preached a very practical sermon on the subject of  ‘Recreation.’

The quarterly returns of the registrar (Mr Simpson) for Abingdon and District shows a considerable increase in the birth rate, of which there were 70 (33 males and 37 females) against 21 in the corresponding quarter of last year, the population of the area being 6439 at the last census. The death rate was 35 as against 47 in the corresponding period.

Saturday 10 April 1920
Abingdon 100 years ago
A public meeting was held in the Abingdon Corn Exchange last week to discuss plans for a War Memorial, the Mayor presiding. There was a fair attendance, and several took part in the discussion, and several letters of suggestions and opinions were sent and read. The result of the exhibition of the plans for inspection of the public in the Roysse Room for a fortnight was that out of 1,600 only 269 entered any opinion as to the exhibits, 171 of whom voted for canopied tomb specimen exhibited.

Mr H. Strange Road, Abingdon, has just retired from the services of Messrs Bayliss a Co. of Ock Street, Abingdon, after 40 years with the firm at the Abingdon Branch.

Wantage Town again met Abingdon in the final for the North Berks Junior Cup at Wallingford on Saturday last in the presence over 2,000 spectator. During the first half Abingdon scored two goals, but on changing ends Wantage retaliated and made the score equal, a third goal by Kichings being disallowed. Extra time was played but no further scoring took place, and it was decided to again hold the replay at Wallingford on May 1st.

Saturday 17 April 1920
Abingdon 100 years ago
St Nicolas Church Vestry Meeting was held on Tuesday last, when Mr J. T. West was re-elected Churchwarden for the 23rd time. St. Helens Church Easter Vestry was held on Thursday evening, the Vicar presiding. Messrs M. T. Tatham and T. Bowen were re-elected Churchwardens

The graded supplies at Abingdon Market included 3 beasts and 62 sheep, both being allotted to local butchers. The control for pigs being dissolved there were penned 100 store pigs and 84 porkers

The (Workhouse) Abingdon Board of Guardians met Monday last, Mr Weaving presiding. The quarter’s bills were submitted, amounting to £1,617 14s 3d, an increase on the corresponding quarter of £572 15s 5d. The number of inmates was reported to be 151, as against 141 the corresponding quarter last year.

A lecture about South Rhodesia, its natives and the political situation, was given in the Abingdon Church Girls’ School on Monday evening. There was a good attendance.

At the Abingdon Borough Police Court on Tuesday, before the Mayor and Councillor Clarke, James Taylor, labourer. West St. Helen Street, Abingdon, was sentenced to seven days hard labour for being drunk and disorderly in Broad Street on Sunday last, and Sheldon Peach of Abingdon, was fined 5s for a dog being astray without being muzzled.

Saturday 24 April 1920
Abingdon 100 years ago
The Ivey Lodge of Oddfellows held another successful whist drive in the Roysse Room, Abingdon, on Wednesday evening last week, when over 150 were present. Refreshments were served, and the Mayor distributed the prizes to the winners.

There were no cases for hearing at the Abingdon Borough Police Court on Tuesday last.

The Abingdon Girls’ Club members, assisted by friends, gave capital entertainment in the Abingdon Corn Exchange on Wednesday evening last week, when they were accorded a full house. The programme included a musical sketch arranged by Miss S Peach, and a play arranged by Miss Tatham, Northcourt House, and Miss Estridge, of Square House. Each item on the programme was well received.

Dear Stevens, Following my letter of July last, and in view of the fact that my wife and I have now settled in Essex, I have definitely decided that I would prefer not to stand for the Abingdon Division of North Berkshire at the next election. Whilst I have done all that I can to represent the interests of those who reside in the constituency, I find that as I live so far away, it is hard to keep in touch with my constituents without neglecting my more local affairs. Probably also, in many ways a local candidate for such a constituency as the Abingdon Division of North Berkshire, would have many advantages, should a suitable one become available. I have met with little else than kindness since I have had the honour of being your Member, and I should also like to thank you, the Committee, and members of our Association for all they have done, Believe me. Yours very sincerely Brigadier-General John Wigan

Thankyou for the extracts to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the British Newspaper Archive. Pictures from old postcards and town guides.

Pebbles, Laundry Bags, Cycleway, Sun and Rain

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Pebbles, Laundry Bags, Cycleway, Sun and Rain
Diana spotted these pebbles in St John’s Road on a walk this week.
Pebbles, Laundry Bags, Cycleway, Sun and Rain
Clare sent me an email to say the Quilters of Abingdon (Abbey Quilters, Fitzharrys Quilters and I’m sure some of their friends) have been making bags so that the midwives at the JR can, when they finish a shift, change, put their uniforms in these bags and put them straight in the washing machine when they get home without spreading germs. The member of Abbey Quilters who is organising this says that nearly 90 bags have been delivered so far and she has another 50 to be taken up this weekend.

The bags are about the size of a pillowcase, with a drawstring at the top and must be washable at 60 degrees. They must be washed, pressed and delivered in twos in a ziplock plastic bag.
Pebbles, Laundry Bags, Cycleway, Sun and Rain
I took this picture of the work on the cycleway between Abingdon and Milton Park and Didcot that is being upgraded. They have been making good progress in the last week or so. It is not open yet but nevertheless we were allowed to pass thanks to the workmen.

I recorded a video of the same view of Abingdon on 15th April when it was sunny and then 17th April when the rain set it. We have had a lot of sunshine. The last two days have been overcast and with rain. The video shows the contrast.

Essential Waste and Recycle Collections

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Essential Waste Collections
There is an international pandemic. Most businesses have closed down, and people are locked down at home. We are valuing our essential services more than ever. There are notices on some wheelie bins thanking the waste collection and recycling services.

This week after the Easter bank holidays the recycle collection (green wheelie bins) will be one day late..

Our green bin (recycled waste) was fuller than usual and I would think that could be the case with many households. Household Waste Recycling Centres are closed until further notice so that adds to the pressure.
Essential Waste Collections
Our local district council, VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District Council), have offered some guidance because of coronavirus. Like all services there have been some staff shortages due to illness and self-isolation and to manage this staff have been redeployed and agency drivers brought in to help.

As a result, there is the chance crews might not complete all of their daily rounds. VWHDC says ‘If the bins in your street are not emptied, please leave them out for up to three days (including weekends) and we’ll try to catch up. If still not emptied, bring them back in and we will empty them on the next planned collection day.’

VWHDC have suspended some non-essential services. This could change further as the lockdown has been extended for three more weeks.

Central government guidance is that ‘Residents with symptoms of Covid-19 should double bag any discarded tissues and other waste and leave for 72 hours before placing them in their main black rubbish bin.’
Essential Waste Collections
Like many areas, the ‘Workhouse Estate’ (Abbott Road, Thesiger Road and a bit of Oxford Road) has started a thriving What’s App Group with lots of sharing of ideas and practical help. They are also keen to show the key workers how much their efforts are appreciated – apart from the Thursday clapping they have a banner at the top of the road and this message for the bin men at the other end.

Thank you to someone from the Workhouse Estate for the first and last pictures.