84-552: South Oxfordshire is a local government district in the ceremonial county of Oxfordshire , England . Its council is temporarily based outside the district at Abingdon-on-Thames pending a planned move to Didcot , the district's largest town. The areas located south of the River Thames are within the historic county of Berkshire . The district was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972 , covering
168-585: A Perpendicular gateway and ruins of the mainly Early English prior 's house, the guest house and other fragments. Other remains from the former abbey include the Unicorn Theatre and the Long Gallery, which are still used for plays and functions including an annual craft fair. St. Nicolas' Church , parts of which were built in 1180, is near the museum. Abingdon Bridge over the Thames , near St Helen's Church ,
252-575: A free newspaper , was based in Abingdon for many years and was founded as the South Oxfordshire Courier until its closure in 2018. Local radio and television stations are shared with Oxford , although ITV retains a news gathering centre in nearby Milton Park (formerly having a broadcasting studio in the town) for ITV Meridian . Historically the ITV franchise was ITV Central . Local analogue radio
336-566: A raised earthwork called a motte surrounded by a protective ditch. There is a Second World War FW3/28A pillbox by the River Ock near Marcham Road. A gaol , built by prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars in 1811, is on the south edge of town next to the Thames . In the 1970s the gaol was converted into a leisure centre . In 2011 the site was developed into residential and commercial premises. According to local legend, prior to its conversion in
420-658: A report commissioned by British Gas showed that housing in South Oxfordshire produced the 5th highest average carbon emissions in the country at 7,356 kg of carbon dioxide per dwelling. 51°39′N 1°03′W / 51.65°N 1.05°W / 51.65; -1.05 Non-metropolitan district Non-metropolitan districts , or colloquially " shire districts ", are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties (colloquially shire counties ) in
504-778: A temporary basis, whilst waiting for the Didcot Gateway scheme to be ready. In terms of television, the area is served by BBC South and ITV Meridian broadcast from the Oxford transmitter. However, southern parts of the district which includes Henley-on-Thames is served by BBC London and ITV London broadcasting from the Crystal Palace transmitter. Radio stations for the area are BBC Radio Oxford , BBC Radio Berkshire (covering Henley-on-Thames ), Heart Thames Valley , and Jack FM . Local newspapers are Oxfordshire Guardian , Oxford Mail and Henley Standard . In May 2006,
588-576: A two-tier arrangement. Non-metropolitan districts with borough status are known as boroughs , able to appoint a mayor and refer to itself as a borough council. Some shire counties now have no sub divisions so are a single Non-metropolitan district such as Cornwall. Typically a district will consist of a market town and its more rural hinterland. However districts are diverse with some being mostly urban such as Dartford, and others more polycentric such as Thurrock. Non-metropolitan districts are subdivisions of English non-metropolitan counties which have
672-461: A two-tier structure of local government. Two-tier non-metropolitan counties have a county council and several districts, each with a borough or district council. In these cases local government functions are divided between county and district councils, to the level where they can be practised most efficiently: Many districts have borough status , which means the local council is called a borough council instead of district council and gives them
756-408: A unitary authority or those that transferred from one county to another, including those that changed name. Nor does it include unitary authorities that have been abolished ( Bournemouth and Poole ). Abingdon-on-Thames Abingdon-on-Thames ( / ˈ æ b ɪ ŋ d ən / AB -ing-dən ), commonly known as Abingdon , is a historic market town and civil parish on the River Thames in
840-467: Is Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat). Abingdon was first incorporated as a borough in 1556. The borough covered parts of the parishes of St Helen and St Nicolas ; both parishes also included rural areas beyond the borough boundary. The borough was reformed to become a municipal borough in 1836 under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 , which standardised how most boroughs operated across
924-408: Is a lesser problem than flash flooding. Towns in the district are Didcot , Henley-on-Thames , Thame , Wallingford and Watlington . The larger villages in the district include: The 2001 Census recorded a population of just over 128,000 in the district. This was an increase of 7% since 1991. By the 2021 Census, the figure had risen to over 149,000. Much of the district is rural in nature, with
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#17328485743761008-479: Is also covered by civil parishes , which form a third tier of local government. Since 2008, the council has shared staff with neighbouring Vale of White Horse District Council . The Liberal Democrats have held a majority of the seats on the council since the 2023 election . Despite having a majority, they form a joint administration with the Green Party , continuing a coalition which they had formed in 2019 when
1092-473: Is an Abingdon tradition that began with the 1761 Coronation of King George III . This longstanding tradition of the town has local dignitaries throwing buns (5,000 buns in 2018) from the roof of the Abingdon County Hall Museum into crowds assembled in the market square below on specific days of celebration (such as royal marriages, coronations and jubilees ). The museum has a collection of
1176-479: Is now part of the civic offices. St. Helen's Church dates from around 1100 and is the second-widest church in England, having five aisles and being 10 feet (3 m) wider than it is long. The tower of St Helen's Church has a modern ring of ten bells, cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 2005 and hung in a new frame with new fittings by White's of Appleton in 2006. Abingdon's county hall by
1260-428: Is now the site of a large Waitrose store and surrounded by a large number of new flats and houses. The corporation was reformed, under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 , but was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972 , which enacted extensive local government reorganisation across England and Wales with effect from 1 April 1974. As a result of this reorganisation, Berkshire County Council's northern boundary
1344-610: Is policed by the successor to Berkshire Constabulary, Thames Valley Police . In 1790 Abingdon Lock was built, replacing navigation via the Swift Ditch . In 1810, the Wilts & Berks Canal opened, linking Abingdon with Semington on the Kennet and Avon Canal . Abingdon became a key link between major industrial centres such as Bristol , London , Birmingham and the Black Country . In 1856
1428-477: Is provided by BBC Radio Oxford , Jack FM , Jack 3 and Heart South (historically 'Fox FM' and later 'Heart Thames Valley'), while the town is also covered by the Oxfordshire DAB multiplex . There was a Six TV local TV channel until 2009 and the town's further education college was the home to That's TV studios for Oxfordshire until it relocated to Oxford Science Park . The Tesco Extra store west of
1512-558: Is technically true—even though their HQ is actually in nearby Milton Park , Milton, they have an Abingdon post code (as does the rest of Milton Park). Penlon Ltd, a medical equipment company, have their premises on the outskirts of Abingdon (their previous site, near the former railway station, has been redeveloped as residential housing). Another major employer is the British head office of the German appliance company Miele . Industrially, Abingdon
1596-795: The Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012, the centenary of the end of the World War I in November 2018 and the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2022. Every October, the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair is run. Extending to the length of a mile, the fair is thought to be the longest and oldest street fair in Europe. It runs through the Market Place, High Street, and Ock Street. The fair
1680-584: The District Councils' Network , special interest group which sits within the Local Government Association . The network's purpose is to "act as an informed and representative advocate for districts to government and other national bodies, based on their unique position to deliver for local people." This is a list of two-tier non-metropolitan counties and their districts. All unitary authorities are also non-metropolitan districts, which, with
1764-598: The Hellenic League Division One and play at The Armadillo Energy Stadium, and Abingdon Town F.C. , who play at Culham Road. Abingdon Golf Club/North Berks Golf Club (now defunct) was first mentioned in 1876. The club disappeared at the time of the Second World War The Oxford Saints American Football Club play their games in Abingdon at Tilsley Park and are one of the longest-running American Football clubs in
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#17328485743761848-548: The Joint European Torus (JET) fusion research project), Harwell Laboratory , the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the new Diamond Light Source synchrotron , which is the largest UK-funded scientific facility to be built for over 40 years. Many inhabitants work in Oxford or commute by rail to London , from nearby Didcot . The Army now occupies Dalton Barracks , which, prior to 1993,
1932-552: The Local Government Act 1972 , which also transferred the town from Berkshire to Oxfordshire. District-level functions passed to the Vale of White Horse District Council. A successor parish covering the area of the former borough was created called Abingdon, with its council taking the name Abingdon Town Council. The parish was formally renamed to Abingdon-on-Thames in 2012. Of the Benedictine Abingdon Abbey there remains
2016-466: The MG Car Club , founded in 1930, is at 11 & 12 Cemetery Road, next to the old factory offices. A police station was built in its place, which was later extended with the addition of more cells, as Oxford 's police station could not be extended further. Abingdon is 9 miles (14 km) south of Oxford , 15 mi (24 km) south-east of Witney and 22 mi (35 km) north of Newbury in
2100-581: The Oxford Bus Company , its sister company Thames Travel and smaller independent companies. Abingdon no longer has a rail service. However, in recent years, urban expansion has brought Radley railway station close to the town's northeastern limits. The small, primarily stopping-service, railway stations at Culham and Radley are both just over two miles (3.2 km) from the town centre. Abingdon's eastern ring-road and newest suburbs are connected by footpath and cycleway from Radley. Culham station
2184-478: The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 . The 1556 charter also catered for the appointment of a town clerk and other officers, and the borough boundaries were described in detail. Later charters, from Elizabeth I , James I , James II , George II and George III , made no considerable change. James II changed the style of the corporation to that of a mayor, twelve aldermen and twelve burgesses . Abingdon became
2268-567: The Vale of the White Horse district of Oxfordshire , England. The historic county town of Berkshire , the area was occupied from the early to middle Iron Age and the remains of a late Iron Age and Roman defensive enclosure lies below the town centre. Abingdon Abbey was founded around 676, giving its name to the emerging town. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Abingdon was an agricultural centre with an extensive trade in wool, alongside weaving and
2352-467: The county town of Berkshire sometime after receiving its charter in 1556. Assize courts were held in Abingdon from 1570, but in the 17th century it was vying with Reading for county town status. The county hall and court house were built between 1678 and 1682, to assert this status. The building, now the Abingdon County Hall Museum , was reputedly designed by Christopher Kempster , who worked with Sir Christopher Wren . Abingdon borough police
2436-485: The 1970s, the gaol was haunted by the ghost of an eight-year-old boy who, after being convicted for arson in the mid-19th century, became the youngest person in the UK to be executed by hanging . The Roysse Room was the site of Abingdon School (then 'Roysse's School') from 1563 until it moved to its current site after an indenture by John Roysse , who had been born and educated in Abingdon before he moved to London . The room
2520-515: The Abbey was moved. In 1084, William the Conqueror celebrated Easter at the Abbey and it is possible that his son Henry I received some schooling at the abbey. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Abingdon was a flourishing agricultural centre with an extensive trade in wool and a famous weaving and clothing manufacturing industry. The abbot seems to have held a market from very early times and charters for
2604-596: The Abingdon Railway opened, linking the town with the Great Western Railway at Radley . However, Abingdon's failure to engage fully with the railway revolution, accepting only a branch line, sidelined the town in favour of Reading which became the County Town in 1869. The Wilts & Berks Canal was abandoned in 1906 but a voluntary trust is now working to restore and re-open it. Abingdon railway station
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2688-656: The Booth Group in 1979 and became Garner Booth. Pittards plc took over Garner Booth in 1987 and became Pittard Garner. It closed the Pavlova works in 1993. Abingdon was originally home to the Morland Brewery , whose most famous ale was Old Speckled Hen , named after an early MG car. Greene King Brewery bought Morland for £182 million in 1999, closed the brewery and moved production to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk . The site of
2772-512: The Caldecott Road site because of security risks. This period saw the formation of the ill-fated Abingdon Sports Club ; an amalgamation of the town's rugby , cricket and hockey clubs and the bid to establish a sporting centre at Hales Meadow. In a short time the ground was developed and a pavilion erected but the organisation was plagued with financial difficulties and very soon dissolved with hockey disbanding and Abingdon Rugby remaining at
2856-616: The Lee Longlands chain but retains its name) and Mays Carpets (now part of the Carpetright chain and has re-branded accordingly). In the town centre, many independent stores, estate agents and charity shops make up the Bury Street shopping centre as major high street names have chosen to go to other towns. However, a recent renovation has attracted stores such as New Look , Peacocks and WHSmith to open branches. The town centre of Abingdon
2940-666: The Pavlova Leather Syndicate from 1860, bought a share in it in 1917–18 and took it over in 1921. In May 1947 at the annual British Industries Fair in Birmingham , Pavlova advertised doe skins, chamois , lambskins and goatskins, much of it as suede , for uses including shoes, gloves and belts. In 1958 Pavlova's site covered 35 acres (14 ha), employed neary 200 people and included a staff sports field. At that time its factory still processed imported skins of sheep, lamb and goat, mainly to make suede. Garner Group took over
3024-560: The UK, founded in 1983. Abingdon is home to Abingdon Rowing Club , with members from 13 to 80 years old. It has had many successes at local and national races, and also holds its own Abingdon Head race in April, one of the main events in the Abingdon Calendar. Its boathouse is on Wilsham Road. Abingdon Amblers changed its name to Abingdon Athletics Club. They train at Tilsley Park and take part in county cross-country leagues. Abingdon RUFC
3108-541: The adjoining Roysse Court. Parts of the Guildhall date back to the 15th century, having been originally part of the Abbey complex. Control of the town council has passed between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in recent years. Elections take place every four years. After the 2023 local elections , the political composition of the council was: The incumbent Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon
3192-442: The area of six former districts, which were abolished at the same time: The two Wallingford districts had previously been part of the administrative county of Berkshire , whilst the other four districts had been in the administrative county of Oxfordshire. The new district was originally given the name "Wallingford". The shadow authority elected in 1973 to oversee the transition requested a change of name to "South Oxfordshire", which
3276-449: The areas for Wales and England had been enacted separately and there were no Welsh metropolitan areas, the term 'non-metropolitan district' does not apply to Wales. A similar system existed in Scotland , which in 1975 was divided into regions and districts, this was also abolished in 1996 and replaced with a fully unitary system . In England most of the district councils are represented by
3360-524: The brewery has been redeveloped into housing. The Maltings was demolished and is now a mixed residential area and council offices. In 2010, a craft brewery , Loose Cannon, reinstated brewing in the town at the Drayton Road Industrial Estate and sells its beers locally, including on draught at some local pubs . Abingdon is near several major scientific employers: the UKAEA at Culham (including
3444-582: The buns, dried and varnished, dating back to bun-throwings of the 19th century. To date there have been 35 bun-throwing events. Since 2000, there have been bun-throwing ceremonies to commemorate the Millennium , the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, the 450th anniversary of the town's being granted a royal charter in 2006, the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011,
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3528-405: The council had been under no overall control . The first election to the district council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: The leaders of the council since 2003 have been: Following the 2023 election , the composition of
3612-571: The council moved to a purpose-built headquarters on Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford , near Wallingford. On 15 January 2015, an arson attack destroyed the district council's main offices in Crowmarsh Gifford. As the fire started in the early hours of the morning there were no fatalities or injuries. Immediately after the fire, the council was temporarily based in Abingdon , in the neighbouring Vale of White Horse district. From later in 2015 until 2022
3696-555: The council was based at Milton Park , sharing a building with Vale of White Horse District Council. The Council initially intended to return to Crowmarsh, but in October 2020 it was announced that both councils plan on relocating to a new building in Didcot, to be built on a site known as Didcot Gateway opposite Didcot Parkway railway station, aiming for completion in 2023. In 2022 the councils vacated Milton Park and returned to Abingdon, again on
3780-490: The council was: The next election is due in 2027. Since the last full review of boundaries in 2015, the council has comprised 36 councillors representing 21 wards , with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years. The council was initially based in various premises across the district in Henley, Thame, Wheatley, Wallingford and Didcot inherited from its predecessor authorities. In 1981
3864-412: The country. The Local Government Act 1894 directed that parishes were no longer allowed to straddle borough boundaries, and so a parish called Abingdon was created covering the same area as the borough, and the parts of the parishes of St Helen and St Nicolas outside the borough boundary were combined into a separate parish called St. Helen Without . The municipal borough was abolished in 1974 under
3948-593: The county, progressing to first-class level and on to international status in the Six Nations Tournament. The Abingdon Sevens traditionally opens the Home Counties' playing season and has attracted sides from throughout the country and beyond. Initiated in 1956 as a one-off tournament to celebrate the town's 400th anniversary of receiving a Royal Charter , it proved so successful that the competition has been held on an annual basis ever since. Several years ago it
4032-487: The exception of those of Berkshire , are coterminous with non-metropolitan counties. For a full list of districts of all types including unitary authorities, metropolitan districts and London boroughs , see Districts of England . This is a list of former two-tier districts in England which have been abolished, by local government reorganisations such as the 2009 structural changes to local government in England . It does not include districts that still exist after becoming
4116-560: The flat valley of the Thames on its west (right) bank, where the small river Ock flows in from the Vale of White Horse . It is on the A415 between Witney and Dorchester , adjacent to the A34 trunk road, linking it with the M4 and M40 motorways. The B4017 and A4183 also link the town, both being part of the old A34 and often heavily congested. Local bus services to Oxford and the surrounding areas are run by
4200-454: The holding of markets and fairs were granted by various sovereigns, from Edward I to George II . In 1337 there was a famous riot in protest at the Abbot's control of this market in which several of the monks were killed. After the abbey's dissolution in 1538, the town sank into decay. In 1556, upon receiving a representation of its pitiable condition, Mary I granted a charter incorporating
4284-455: The increased traffic has driven shoppers away. Redevelopment of the Old Gaol site, most recently a leisure centre , began in 2010. The first stage was demolishing the 1970s additions and swimming pool extension. The Gaol has been converted into luxury flats, shops and restaurants, with access to the riverside. Abingdon has two non-League football teams: Abingdon United F.C. , who compete in
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#17328485743764368-512: The land in agricultural use and around 70% of the district has a green belt or AONB designation (The northeast of the district forms part of the Oxford Green Belt). 50% of the district's population lives outside its four main towns of Didcot , Henley-on-Thames , Thame and Wallingford. South Oxfordshire District Council provides district-level services . County-level services are provided by Oxfordshire County Council . The whole district
4452-409: The local railway stations and Abingdon, run by Oxford Bus Company and its sister company Thames Travel . There are three tiers of local government covering Abingdon, at parish (town), district and county level: Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, Vale of White Horse District Council , and Oxfordshire County Council . The town council meets at the Guildhall on Bridge Street and has its offices in
4536-412: The main market square , built in 1677–1680 reputedly by Christopher Kempster , stands on columns, leaving the ground floor open for a market and other functions. It was once hailed by Nikolaus Pevsner with the comment "Of the free-standing town halls of England with open ground floors this is the grandest". It now houses the Abingdon County Hall Museum and is run by Historic England . Bun-throwing
4620-423: The manufacture of clothing. Charters for the holding of markets and fairs were granted by various monarchs, from Edward I to George II . The town survived the dissolution of the abbey in 1538, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, with the building of Abingdon Lock in 1790 and the Wilts & Berks Canal in 1810, Abingdon was on important routes for goods transport. In 1856 the Abingdon Railway opened, linking
4704-635: The official name of the town to "Abingdon-on-Thames", and the change took effect on 23 February 2012. Sport and recreation facilities include the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, Tilsley Park and the Southern Town Park. Abingdon had four cinemas but all have closed. The last was the Regal, which closed in 1989. It stood derelict for 24 years until it was demolished in 2003 and replaced by housing development, Regal Close. The Unicorn theatre
4788-566: The outbreak of the Second World War , MG was established as one of the most popular brands of sports car in Britain . After the war, the MG factory continued to churn out increasing volumes of popular sports car which were available at competitive prices but the factory closed in October 1980 on the demise of the ageing but still popular MG MGB range, and was demolished within months. The headquarters of
4872-418: The place name. The name seems to mean 'Hill of a man named Æbba, or a woman named Æbbe', possibly the saint to whom St Ebbe's Church in Oxford was dedicated ( Æbbe of Coldingham or a different Æbbe of Oxford ). However, Abingdon stands in a valley and not on a hill. It is thought that the name was first given to a place on Boars Hill above Chilswell , and the name was transferred to its present site when
4956-466: The population. A Neolithic stone hand axe was found at Abingdon. Petrological analysis in 1940 identified the stone as epidotised tuff from Stake Pass in the Lake District , 250 mi (400 km) to the north. Stone axes from the same source have been found at Sutton Courtenay , Alvescot , Kencot and Minster Lovell . Abingdon has been occupied from the early to middle Iron Age and
5040-518: The remains of a late Iron Age defensive enclosure (or oppidum ) lies below the town centre. The oppidum was in use throughout the Roman occupation. A Neolithic causewayed enclosure was found in Abingdon in 1926, dating to the 36th or 37th century BC. Abingdon Abbey was founded in Saxon times , possibly around 676, but its early history is confused by numerous legends, invented to raise its status and explain
5124-565: The right to appoint a mayor . Borough status is granted by royal charter and, in many cases, continues a style enjoyed by a predecessor authority, which can date back centuries. Some districts such as Oxford or Exeter have city status , granted by letters patent , but this does not give the local council any extra powers other than the right to call itself a city council . By 1899, England had been divided at district level into rural districts , urban districts , municipal boroughs , county boroughs and metropolitan boroughs . This system
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#17328485743765208-479: The site as tenants to the cricket club. In the mid-1980s a determined effort was made to acquire grounds and a clubhouse dedicated to rugby. In 2022 Abingdon Womens Rugby Club known as “The Albatrosses” was formed and they currently play in the Inner Warrior League. The current base at the town's Southern Sports Park was opened by former Abingdon MP John Patten in 1989. Abingdon has had members representing
5292-543: The town as a borough , governed by a mayor, two bailiffs , twelve chief burgesses and sixteen secondary burgesses, the mayor to be clerk of the market, coroner and a JP . The present Christ's Hospital originally belonged to the Guild of the Holy Cross , on the dissolution of which Edward VI founded the almshouses instead, under its present name. The borough elected one member of parliament ; this right would continue until
5376-575: The town has seen an influx of young professionals taking residence in the town's many residential areas such as Peachcroft. The town was sometimes historically called "Abingdon-on-Thames", but the official name of the borough (as given in statutes from the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 to the Local Government Act 1972 and all intervening Ordnance Survey maps) was simply "Abingdon". Local councillors voted in November 2011 to change
5460-481: The town is the largest supermarket in Abingdon and has historically been one of the most profitable Tesco stores in the country. Nearby is the Fairacres Retail Park, thought to be the first retail park in the UK and recently redeveloped, which includes Argos , Subway , B & M , Dreams and Pets at Home stores. It originally had two long established Abingdon retailers—Vineys Home Furnishings (now part of
5544-411: The town preceded by the famous Horns of Ock Street , a symbol of Abingdon's Morris Dance troupe. The Friends of Abingdon's Unicorn Theatre, housed in the old Abbey buildings, is the site of first productions of many stage adaptations of Terry Pratchett 's Discworld novels by Stephen Briggs . Old Speckled Hen ale was originally brewed by Morland 's of Abingdon to commemorate the MG factory in
5628-404: The town with the Great Western Railway . The canal was abandoned in 1906 but a voluntary trust is now working to restore and re-open it. Abingdon railway station was closed to passengers in September 1963. The line remained open for goods until 1984, its role including serving the MG car factory, which operated from 1929 to 1980. Abingdon's brewery, Morland , makers of Old Speckled Hen ale,
5712-526: The two-tier structure, but reforms in the 1990s and 2009 reduced their number to 192. A further 55 non-metropolitan districts are now unitary authorities, which combine the functions of county and borough/district councils. In Wales , an almost identical two-tier system of local government existed between 1974 and 1996 (see Districts of Wales ). In 1996, this was abolished and replaced with an entirely unitary system of local government, with one level of local government responsible for all local services. Since
5796-548: Was abolished by the London Government Act 1963 and the Local Government Act 1972 . Non-metropolitan districts were created by this act in 1974 when England outside Greater London was divided into metropolitan counties and non-metropolitan counties. Metropolitan counties were sub-divided into metropolitan districts and the non-metropolitan counties were sub-divided into non-metropolitan districts. The metropolitan districts had more powers than their non-metropolitan counterparts. Initially, there were 296 non-metropolitan districts in
5880-436: Was approved by the government before the new district formally came into being in 1974. The River Thames flows for approximately 47 miles through South Oxfordshire, forming the historic county boundary between Berkshire and Oxfordshire. It is also joined by the River Thame within the district. A characteristic of the rivers within the district is that they have wide floodplains with few houses on them so that fluvial flooding
5964-423: Was best known for the MG car factory, which opened in 1929. 1,155,032 cars were made at the plant over the next 51 years until British Leyland closed it on 24 October 1980. Subsequent cars sold under the MG brand have since been produced either at Longbridge in Birmingham or at SAIC's factories in China . The company was founded in 1924 and moved its business alongside the Pavlova Leather Factory in 1929. By
6048-407: Was built in 1416 and was widened or altered in 1790, 1828, 1927 and 1929. Abbey Gateway between the Abingdon County Hall Museum and the Guildhall remains a point of local importance. Abingdon has the remains of a motte-and-bailey castle , which can be found to the north of the town centre surrounded by trees within a housing estate. Originally built of wood or stone, it was a fortification on
6132-567: Was built in an area called The Checkers Hall in the ruins of the Abbey buildings and shows plays and films on an irregular basis. In addition, a new cinema, called the Abbey Cinema has been built in one of the Town Council buildings and operates in conjunction with the Regal in Evesham . The local newspapers are The Oxford Times , Oxford Mail and Abingdon Herald . The Oxfordshire Guardian ,
6216-639: Was called "Abingdon Road" when it first opened in 1844, being the nearest station to the town at that time. It was renamed "Culham" when the Abingdon Railway branch line to Abingdon railway station was opened in 1856. That branch line initially connected to the main line at Abingdon Junction , before being extended to Radley station when that opened in 1873. The branch line from Radley to Abingdon closed to passengers in 1963. The nearest major stations with taxi ranks are Oxford (6 miles/9.7 km) and Didcot Parkway (8 miles/13 km). All are managed by Great Western Railway . Frequent express buses operate between
6300-540: Was closed to passengers in September 1963. The line remained open for goods until 1984, including serving the MG car factory, which opened in 1929 and closed in October 1980 as part of a British Leyland rationalisation plan. The nearest railway station is Radley , two miles (3.2 km) away. Much of the original Abingdon branch line is now a cyclepath, whilst the land on which the station stood has been extensively redeveloped, and
6384-560: Was decided to introduce the youngsters of Abingdon to Club Rugby. The Youth Section has 200 playing members from the ages of 6 to 18. In 2013–14 Abingdon RFC's President, Paul Murphy MBE, was also the President of the RFU . Since 2016, Oxford Rugby League have played in Abingdon at Abingdon School 's Tilsley Park . The Pavlova and Gloria leather works were major employers but both are now closed. Alfred Booth and Company of Liverpool traded with
6468-644: Was formed at the Queens Hotel on 27 February 1931. During the 1930s the club was based at the Queens Hotel and games were played on the Council owned recreation ground at Caldecott Road. Immediately after the Second World War the club moved to outside the RAF camp (now Dalton Barracks ) which offered on-site changing facilities and later a pitch inside the camp. At the start of the Suez Crisis in 1956 play temporarily returned to
6552-487: Was much reduced and Abingdon's governance was transferred to Oxfordshire , with the town becoming the seat of the new Vale of White Horse District Council, and Abingdon becoming a civil parish with a town council. Since the 1980s, Abingdon has played host to a number of information communication companies, with many based in the town's respective business and science parks. As a consequence, and owing to Abingdon's proximity to academic and scientific institutions in Oxford ,
6636-627: Was originally a hiring fair , designed to allow farmworkers from rural areas to find work in the town following the Black Death in 1348/9. The fair, previously run on the first Monday and Tuesday before 11 October each year, the fair's dates were extended in 2024 to also run one day earlier, from the Sunday to the Monday. The much smaller Runaway Fair is run the Monday following the Michaelmas Fair, and
6720-420: Was renovated in 2012 as part of the council's redevelopment plan, with the 1970s shopping precinct converted to look more modern. The roads around the area have been changed: notably the one-way system around the centre has been partially changed to two-way. While this has slightly reduced traffic within the historic town centre, congestion has greatly increased elsewhere. Local businesses have also complained that
6804-401: Was taken over and closed in 1999; the site of the brewery has been redeveloped into housing. The rock band Radiohead formed in 1985 when its members were studying at Abingdon School , a day and boarding independent secondary school. The 2011 Census recorded the parish's population as 33,130. This was 2,504 more than in the 2001 Census total of 30,626, and represented just over 8% growth in
6888-523: Was the Royal Air Force station RAF Abingdon . Abingdon has a business park which has offices for several local, national and international companies including, until recently, Vodafone (acquired as part of its takeover of Mannesmann in 2000) and Northern Rock bank. The Science Park includes the global headquarters of Sophos , an anti-virus company. RM , an educational computing supplier, commonly refer to themselves as being Abingdon-based, which
6972-515: Was the police force responsible for policing the Borough until 1889. It was formed as a result of the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 . The force was amalgamated into the Berkshire Constabulary following the Local Government Act 1888 , which required all boroughs with populations of less than 10,000 to amalgamate their police forces with their adjoining county constabulary. Today, the area
7056-429: Was traditionally for workers who were unsatisfied with their employment after the first week, and sought to "run away" and return to the town to find better job opportunities. Abingdon has a very old and still active Morris dancing tradition, passed on since before the folk dance and song revivals in the 19th century. Every year a Mayor of Ock Street is elected by the inhabitants of Ock Street; he then parades through
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