Abingdon County Hall Museum

MG at Speed Saturday 17th May until Sunday 31st August 2008

Racing and Trials

MGs taking part in Trials, or Mudplugging, as it is sometimes called, continue to follow Cecil Kimber’s lead when he took ‘Old Number One’ on the London to Lands end Trial in 1923.  

Racing is also in the blood of many MG owners.  The pre-war racing heritage was taken up again in 1955 when a team of MGAs took part in the 24 hours of Le Mans. The enthusiasm is still high even throughout the MG’s dormant years.

Record Breaking  

The challenge of breaking records was taken up when Austin cars announced their intention to have the first car with a 750cc engine to break 100mph.  An M Type MG Midget was hastily prepared to beat them to it, which Capt. George Eyston accomplished in 1931 with the car that  became known as the Magic Midget.  

The final MG record which still stands in 2008 for a car with a 1500cc engine is 254.91mph in a special designated EX181 powered by a 1506cc Twin Cam engine.  This figure co-incidentally is almost the same as Sir Malcolm Cambell achieved in setting the World Land Speed record in 1932 with his massive 1450 hp Bluebird.  

Rallying  

The Racing heritage of the MG factory in Abingdon made it the obvious place to site the centre for all competition Work in BMC, and The Morley brothers driving an MGA Coupe won the GT category on the Monte Carlo Rally in 1962 and again in 1964 with an MGB GT. BMC cars continued to dominate International Rallying throughout the 1960s with Abingdon prepared Austin-Healeys and Mini Coopers.  

The Boys' Brigade 1883-2008 125 Years Young 24th May - 31st August 2008 -
Weekends only - 2nd Floor (please note there are many stairs)

On the 4th October 1883 at the North Woodside Mission Hall in Glasgow, the first Boys' Brigade Company was formed.  It was not realised at the time what this small local uniformed youth organisation would lead to.  It was not until 1887 that the Boys' Brigade arrived in Oxford.  In that year it was reported that the BB had 14 Companies operating in London and 7 in Oxford.  It all started in Oxford at the church of St Peter-le-Bailey now the chapel of St Peters College.

May 2008

New acquisition - works by William Watkin Waite.

Works by William Watkin Waite Abingdon County Hall Museum has received the generous donation of a family collection of twenty-seven works by the local artist, William Watkin Waite (1778-1856), including portraits in watercolour, as well as drawings and engravings. All these will be put on show in May 2008 with two further works purchased thanks to Abingdon Museum Friends, and we will have additional W W Waite works on loan.

William Watkin Waite was born and spent most of his life in Abingdon. He was of a local family and became an engraver and etcher as well as a miniaturist, exhibiting four miniatures at the Royal Academy. He was twice married, first to Martha Edgington (1788-1821) and then to Virtue Wilkins (1797-1848).

Saturday 1 March to Sunday 27 April 2008

Betty Blandino Handbuilt Pots

Betty Blandino is a nationally known potter with work in many collections including the V&A. She uses the age-old technique of building up pots from coils which she has developed by using a unique coiling and pinching technique to create thin-walled abstract vessel forms. The exhibition included work from the past and present. Some of the works are for sale.

Calligraphy

Oxford Scribes formed in 1984 and has grown into one of the country’s largest regional calligraphy groups, including beginners, amateurs, professionals and internationally-recognised lettering artists. Both traditional and modern experimental lettering by individual calligraphers will be on display in 30 cases. There will be original cards for sale.

Saturday 12 January to Wednesday 27 February 2008

Ock Street Remembered: an Abingdon Community

Life in Ock Street, Abingdon, told vividly through its people and their activities, with memorabilia covering the Events, Customs and Traditions, and the Trades, Professions and Businesses of this historic street. Members of the Ock Street Heritage Group will be in the Gallery at weekends in case you have any questions or would like to share any of your Ock Street memories. 23rd November 2007 - 9th January 2008

Christmas Exhibition

Our Christmas exhibition this year incorporated a small stage and cafe-style tables. There were Family Friendly activities for children and families every day after Christmas.

13th September 2007 - 19th November 2007

“Still Life in Stitches” - A Textile Exhibition    

(Courtesy of the Oxford Embroiderers’ Workshop, joined by the Young EmbroiderersGroup) 
A small selection of our contemporary craft collection and historic textiles were also on display during this exhibition.

6th July 2007 - 9th September 2007

Living Waterways

(Loan exhibition courtesy of the Oxfordshire Museum Service)

Samuel Ireland’s Engravings of the Thames near Abingdon” (Loan exhibition courtesy of the Centre for Oxfordshire Studies)

People of the Thames - A Photographic Journey

(Loan exhibition courtesy of photographer Jil Orpen and writer Charlotte Gerlings)

30th June 2007 - 1st July 2007

Abingdon Flower Festival

(Courtesy of Abingdon Flower Club)

3rd March 2007 - 24th June 2007

From Sheep to Sleep - The Witney Blanket Story

(Loan exhibition courtesy of the Oxfordshire Museum Service)

An Exhibition of Matchboxes

(Loan collection courtesy of Jacqui Humphries)

6th January 2007 - 28th February 2007

Rocks around the Clock

Oxfordshire Geology (Loan exhibition courtesy of the Oxfordshire Geology Trust)

Mary Morland - An Abingdon Geologist (Loan collection courtesy of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History)