Rick Fire
The Abingdon Fire Brigade received a call at 1.45 on Friday morning to a fire at Sutton Wick, and got away in nine minutes. The fire was found to be a 60 ton rick fire, the property of Mr. Henry Aldwinckle, which was well alight. As the fire was in the midst of farm buildings and two straw ricks, the brigade, under Chief Officer J. Gibbons, was working for 64 1/2 hours, returning home at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday. The rick, which is insured, was lighted from the outside.
Coal Rationing
A direction by the Committee appointed by Abingdon Borough Council, and signed by the Town Clerk W. C. Croasdell said that residents were generally limited to obtaining 1 cwt of coal (112 lb, or approximately 50.8 kg) every two weeks, and suppliers could not deliver more if the household already had a stock exceeding 5 cwt (560 lb, or approximately 254 kg), unless the council gave written permission. This was a form of coal rationing, intended to regulate the supply and stockpiling of coal for domestic use.
It went on to say ‘If any person contravenes any of the provisions of the said Directions he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to both such imprisonment and fine, and shall be liable to forfeit to the Crown any goods or money in respect of which the offence was committed.’
Seven Days’ Hard Labour
George Berry (27), described as a platelayer, travelling from Oxford to Newbury, was brought up in custody charged with absconding from the Abingdon Union whilst a casual inmate on October 8. Defendant pleaded guilty.
Mr. James Henry Smith, the Master of the Institution, stated that defendant was admitted to the casual ward the previous night, and on admission was told that he would have to do a day’s work, and would be discharged on Saturday morning. That morning, whilst a man went to fetch his breakfast, defendant got over the door and absconded without doing his wood chopping.
Defendant said he called at the Catholic priest’s house the previous evening and asked for a pair of boots. He was told to call again at 8 a.m. that morning. He wanted to get to Southampton to work, but the previous day he had to walk in his stockinged feet. It was only the fourth casual ward he had been in since the strike began, and he was sure of work when he got to Southampton as they were building new docks there, and there was enough work for about a thousand men for five years. He did not mind going back to do his day’s work.
The Master said that if a man was a genuine case and came to him with proof that he had work to go to, he had authority to release him without performing his task, but defendant, instead of telling him anything, got over the door and absconded. Two other casuals who performed their task the previous day had been let out that morning, and had informed the police that defendant had absconded.
Defendant was sentenced to seven days’ hard labour.
Local Window-Dressing Success
Messrs. T. Leach’s, Ltd., of Bath-street, are to be congratulated on having gained second prize in the national window-dressing competition for a display of books published by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd.
Michaelmas and Runaway Fairs in Abingdon
Abingdon was once again the centre of attraction for large numbers of people from all parts of North Berkshire when the annual Michaelmas Fair visited the town on Monday and Tuesday. For two days, men, women and children entered into “all the fun of the fair”, enjoying a spirit of jollification that offered a brief respite from the troubles brought about by the coal shortage.
The weather was fine for the Michaelmas Fair, which occupied the same area as in previous years and provided much the same amusements. On Monday, around 400 people left on the last train for Oxford.
As usual, the fun was at its height between 6 and 10 p.m. Although the fair did not appear to be as flourishing as in previous years, and even the switchback showed no excessive demand for seats, most visitors seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. For many people, and especially for children, the Michaelmas Fair was an eagerly anticipated annual event.
The police were congratulated on maintaining good order throughout the festivities. There were no cases to be heard by the magistrates the following morning.
The Abingdon Runaway Fair was on the following Monday, although the weather was less favourable than it had been for the Michaelmas Fair. The switchback was the principal amusement and attracted a fair number of patrons, while the usual stalls and side-shows were also present.
Abingdon Girl’s Long Walk
Abingdon police and a large band of neighbours and friends in the Vineyard, Abingdon, were engaged in searching the district for Miss Rosie Willis, of 6, Malthouse Cottages, who, leaving home at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday night, did not return. She was found the following day sitting on a seat in North Oxford by a lady, who communicated with the girl’s relatives. Miss Willis was brought home, and after a night’s rest was little worse for her adventure. Mr. J. Willis and family wish to express their thanks to all who in any way assisted them in the search on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Vicar’s Farewell and Welcome
The Rev. C. S. Fleet preached his last sermons as Vicar of Abingdon on Sunday morning and evening at St. Helen’s to large congregations. At the conclusion of the evening sermon the Vicar thanked the congregation for himself and his wife, for the many kindnesses and words which they had said to them. If he had hurt anyone he must ask their forgiveness and if, on the other hand, he had helped anyone then there was something to thank God for.
The Rev. R. C. MacKeown was inducted to the parish on Saturday afternoon at St. Helen’s by the Bishop, and read himself in on Sunday at St. Helen’s and St. Michael’s.
Sunday Harvest Thanksgiving and the 1926 Crops
On Sunday harvest thanksgiving services were celebrated at the churches of St. Helen, St. Michael, St. Nicolas and St. Margaret. As far as farming conditions are concerned, 1926 will be remembered for its blighted crops and disappointed hopes; it is stated that the corn harvest has failed badly in many of the arable counties. After the favourable and promising weather experienced up to July this failure is doubly depressing. Not only have cereals suffered from blight and the heavy July rains, but beans and potatoes are also affected; potatoes especially have proved most unsatisfactory, and it is to be hoped that no serious shortage will result.
With regard to the year’s fruit crop, plums and damsons have given a good yield, although the plums were very quickly over. One of the most disappointing failures has been in the apple crop – Blenheims especially – and this will doubtless be reflected in high prices at Christmas time. Luckily the pear crop has been more favourable. The majority of the smaller fruits, such as red and black currants, raspberries and gooseberries, were very poor, but loganberries were plentiful.
British Women’s Temperance Association Meeting
A temperance meeting organised by the Abingdon Branch of the B.W.T.A. was held in the Baptist Hall on Tuesday and was well attended. The singing was especially hearty, and the speaker was Mr. Fulkes, of Oxford, who gave a stirring address on total abstinence. The chair was taken by Miss Morris.
Dog licences
George Silman of Springdale, Lashford Lane, Dry Sandford, was fined 7s. 6d. on each of two summonses for keeping dogs without licences. He explained that he was out of work and had been unable to afford the fees since returning from France. The magistrates gave him 14 days to pay and warned him to obtain the licences.
Jane Doe, a hawker with no fixed abode, was fined 5s. for keeping a dog without a licence. She pleaded guilty and produced a licence she had taken out that day.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to the British Newspaper Archive for access to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette for some stories; to the North Berks Herald microfilm at Abingdon Library for additional stories and the picture of the Leach advert; and to the Oxford Journal at Oxford Library for the photographs of the Wheels and the Rick Fire. The B.W.T.A Badge is from Ebay where it was for sale.