There was a One Planet Abingdon Stall on the Market Place today. The focus from January – March 2024 is Waste Reduction. On the website https://oneplanetabingdon.org/green-forum/ there is a survey on Waste Reduction which takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. They also have four waste reduction challenges people can take on.

Coming up in April – June 2024 will be Grow Your Own.

Their base in the County Hall basement is open from Thursday to Saturday and most Sundays. There are homemade cakes, teas and coffees, soup, friendly volunteers happy to chat, displays on sustainability, an eco-library, and board games and puzzles.

As part of her efforts to help local people dealing with domestic abuse, Mayor Gwyneth Lewis of Abingdon organized a free movie night. They showed the 1944 film “Gaslight,” a black and white movie nominated for seven Oscars. This movie is a great example of emotional abuse and controlling behaviour.

This event happened on International Women’s Day. According to https://www.ncdv.org.uk/domestic-abuse-statistics-uk/ 1 in 4 women are currently affected by domestic abuse in their lifetime. A domestic abuse related call is made to the police every 30 seconds. It is estimated that less than 24% of incidents are reported.

Before the movie, there were talks by people from local organizations that can help with domestic abuse. Afterwards, everyone could ask questions about the talks and how to get help or improve the support available. The Mayor will continue with a working party taking these idea forward and to make Abingdon a safer place.

One such organisation is the Mayor’s Charity, Reducing the Risk. This charity works to keep people safe from domestic abuse. They offer support to victims and survivors, and also train professionals and volunteers who help people in abusive situations.

In the Bury Street Precinct on Thursday, were a group gathered seeking support for a proposed solar farm near Cumnor. The Cumnor Parish Council has voiced its opposition, citing concerns about the potential industrialization of the Greenbelt, the impact on the area’s natural beauty and character, disruption to public rights of way, agriculture, and ecological balance.

Conversely, the group advocating for the solar farm say it would play a role in countering climate change by helping the shift away from carbon energy sources. They said the project would contribute to biodiversity, emphasizing that the land could still be utilized for sheep grazing and wild life. With the consultation period closed, I was not sure of the benefit of signing a petition at this stage but the planning application on the VWHDC Planning portal has reference P23/V2624/FUL.

Meanwhile, nearby, Riverford Organic Farmers had a stall where people can sign up for organic vegetable and food boxes. The juxtaposition of these two stalls highlights the contrasting approaches to the use of farm land.

Organic farming, as exemplified by Riverford, relies on natural methods for pest control and fertilization. This method, while less intensive, is attractive to some consumers who are able and willing to pay a premium for naturally produced food.

The NSPCC stall on the Abingdon Market Place on Saturday was fundraising to help the NSPCC provide crucial services like the Childline helpline, support programs, and educational resources.

But they weren’t just there for money. Being at the market helped them remind people that keeping children safe is important. The NSPCC has a 10-minute digital training called “Listen Up, Speak Up” to learn what to do if you’re ever worried about a child or their family.

Happy St. David’s Day to all our Welsh friends! I could have looked out for daffodils, leaks, or red dragons. But daffodils were easiest as there are lots in Abingdon at the moment. The arc of dafs above are at the chancel end of Our Lady and St Edmund Church.

These are on Nags Head Island, where workmen are refurbishing what was Annie’s Boathouse, and will become the Abingdon Riverside Cafe.

Earlier today, there was a funeral service for Paul, the husband of Alex, the Salvation Army leader here. Instead of flowers, donations are to a charity called ADAPT that helps people rebuild their lives without illicit substances. You can learn more about them at: https://adaptoxford.org.uk/. The service was streamed online because Paul was originally from Dundee and many people couldn’t get there, and anyway there wasn’t enough space for everyone inside! Both the main hall and front hall were packed. You can watch the service on Abingdon Salvation Army page on Facebook.

The new Multi Use Games Area at Caldecott Recreation Ground is nearly finished! The access mats and heavy machines have gone.

Most of the construction, including the base, tarmac, fences, and basketball nets, looks complete. Line painting needs to be done.

This project by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council will be a great space for basketball, netball, football, skating, and probably much more

This follows the installation of outdoor gym equipment in July 2022, adding to the recreation ground’s amenities.

Things are looking up for Caldecott. Volunteers are delivering a newsletter full of activities for young people and families in the area. The next edition will be out for Easter. The newsletter and other projects are financed by Community First Oxfordshire which is looking to increase health and wellbeing in targeted areas in Oxfordshire. See https://www.communityfirstoxon.org/caldecott-community-grants-apply-now.

Since January, the tortoise has moved from the birdbath to a large jug with yellow flowers.

Volunteer gardeners have strung new ropes across the trellis area. Most plants are still quite low and the view is uninterrupted.

The row of compost bins near the bottom of the garden are at different stages. Just the nearby bin is currently taking fresh organic materials. The others hold heating up compost or final compost.

A blackbird pecks for worms among the Hellebores. Hellebores flower during January and February. They establish themselves before other plants compete for resources in the spring and summer.

Daffodils are now on the lawn under the tree where the aconites flowered in January.

Pink Primroses brighten up some areas of the rockery.

This February, there was only one frost on February 1st. Since then, it’s been mostly cloudy and rainy. Today is no different. It’s overcast and drizzling and there was a fall of sleet earlier. Already, the fields near the River Thames are flooded.

Tall poplars line the edge of the cricket field, with Wilsham Road behind. I had to wear Wellington boots to take this picture.

Due to flooding, the Abingdon Parkrun has been cancelled on February 24th and most other Saturdays in 2024. Only the February 3rd event went ahead this year, and that was muddy.

News

Premier’s Daughter Recuperating
Miss Sheila MacDonald, the youngest daughter of Ramsey MacDonald, the Prime Minister, is recovering from a severe illness at Wick Hall near Abingdon. She is staying with Mr. William Docker Drysdale, a Berkshire magistrate. Despite differing political opinions, the families are close. Sheila is 13 years old.

Abingdon Division Polling Place
Mr. E. A. Lessing, the Member for the Abingdon Division, has taken action to address the lack of polling facilities in the widely-scattered division. He has reached out to the chairmen of all parish councils and meetings, highlighting provisions in the Act of Parliament and offering support to improve voting facilities.

Court Hearings

Motor Car Obstruction
In the Borough Police Court, Robert Stanley Godwin was summoned for obstruction after leaving his motor car in Stert Street, Abingdon, on the 12th of the month. A police constable testified that the car remained parked in the narrow street for an extended period, causing an obstruction to the main entrance of the town. Despite not appearing in court, Godwin acknowledged the offense in a letter. As a result, a fine of 10 shillings was imposed.

Cigarette Machine Theft
In the Borough Police Court, Albert William Goodenough, an 18-year-old labourer from Abingdon, was charged with stealing cigarettes from an automatic machine owned by Joseph E. Gibbens, a tobacconist in Abingdon. The prosecutor had noticed tampering with the machine, including the insertion of foreign coins and farthings instead of sixpences. Upon catching Goodenough in the act, he said, “I am sorry. I put a dud in. I did not mean to.” The accused’s grandfather vouched for his good character, stating he was employed at 21s. per week. Despite complaints about such machines being outside shops and a great temptation, Goodenough was bound over for 12 months, with his grandfather as surety.

Order for Eviction
At the County Bench, on Monday, Harold E. Alden, of Oxford, farmer, and butcher, applied for an order of eviction against Isaac Buckingham, the occupier of a farm cottage at Fyfield, belonging to the complainant. The Bench made an order for eviction within 28 days.

Social Events in Abingdon

Dance for Charity
A dance was held in the Council Chamber on Saturday evening in aid of the Home for Blind Babies. The music was supplied by Mr. F. B. Rawlinson’s band.

Literary and Debating Society
In connection with this society, a lecture was given at the Roysse Rooms on Monday evening by the Mayor of Abingdon (Mr. C. Rippon) on “How a modern newspaper is produced.”

Annual Social by Liberal Association
The Abingdon District Liberal Association held their annual social in the Corn Exchange. Mr. A. E. Lessing, M.P., was present and received an enthusiastic reception.

Conservative Social Gathering
A large number of members and friends attended the annual social meeting of the Abingdon and District Conservative Association. The event took place on Wednesday last in the Abingdon Corn Exchange, featuring a lively programme and an address on the political situation by Major Glyn, the Conservative candidate for the division.

Slate Entertainment
The Wesleyan Trinity Slate Club hosted a successful social evening, with membership nearing 150. They also initiated a holiday fund with weekly contributions. The “Graham Concert Party” provided enjoyable musical entertainment, with gratitude expressed by Rev. N. E. Dando, the Wesleyan minister.

Sunday School Tea
Congregational Sunday school scholars had a delightful tea and entertainment event. Mr. L. A. King entertained the children with magic tricks, and musical performances by various individuals were well-received. Buns, and oranges were distributed.

Abingdon Citizen’s Party
The Abingdon Corn Exchange on Friday evening was filled with happy young people at a children’s party given by Mr. A. E. Lessing, Liberal M.P. for the Division.

Miscellaneous

Deaths in Abingdon
During the month of January, the number of deaths in Abingdon borough was eleven. The ages ranged from 26 to 89 years.

Exam Success
Mr. Reginald Stacey, a resident of Abingdon, achieved success in the December examinations of the London Association of Accountants, passing the final examination. His educational journey began at the Abingdon Charity School, where he earned a scholarship at Roysse School. Subsequently, he gained valuable experience as a clerk at Messrs. Challenor and Son, solicitors in Abingdon, under the guidance of Mr. John Cowburn, an experienced Poor Law Clerk. In recent years, Mr. Stacey has been employed in the Taxation Department at the Oxfordshire County Hall in Oxford.

Societies

The Royal British Legion
During the annual meeting of the Berkshire County Council of the British Legion, Major-General Sir W. de S. Cayley reported significant progress in the county, with a total of 29 branches. New branches were established in various locations, including Burghfield, Maidenhead, Thiele, Twyford, and Lower Whitley. The Didcot branch, previously inactive, was successfully reorganized and was now thriving. However, branches in Abingdon, Woodley, and Pangbourne were at risk of disappearing. Efforts were particularly focused on saving the Abingdon branch, with the Council making vigorous attempts that could lead to success.

Philanthropic Institution Report
The annual report of the Abingdon Philanthropic Institution had increased giving to the “meritorious poor” in the borough.

League of Nations Union Meeting
A meeting of the Abingdon local group of the League of Nations Union were addressed by Professor Gilbert Murray who focused on the League’s efforts to prevent war and protect small nations.

Sport

Football Match Report: Wantage vs. Pavlova
Wantage Town faced Pavlova in the Reading and District League, Division 1, at Westfields, Abingdon. Despite a valiant effort, Wantage Town suffered defeat with a final score of Pavlova 3, Wantage 2.

Disciplinary actions
Reports emerged of disciplinary actions in various matches: C. Harris was censured for misconduct in a Stevenson vs. Drayton match, while R. Wootton received a 14-day suspension for misbehaviour in a match between Brightwell and Aston at Aston Tirrold. Furthermore, J. Erricker of Berks’ Mental Hospital was suspended indefinitely for kicking and striking a player after being ordered off the field in a match against Moreton in the North Berks League.

Local Billiards Match
The Abingdon Young Social Club hosted a billiards match against Pavlova, and won all four matches, and so kept up the club’s reputation of producing talent in the sport.

Thank you for the news extracts and adverts from the Reading Standard, Reading Observer and Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette in the British Newspaper Archive. Also, thanks to the North Berks Herald microfilm in Abingdon Library for the adverts.
Other pictures were:
Abbey Gateway in Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 19 February 1924
Premier’s daughter in Leeds Mercury – Thursday 14 February 1924
Anglo Saxon Jewellery from Abingdon in the Illustrated London News – Saturday 16 February 1924