After almost 100 years in existence, Abingdon Salvation Army was blessed with a minibus.

The 12-seater vehicle was handed over by Paul Bailey, commercial sales executive of the suppliers, City Motors of Oxford, to the Captain, Jean Partridge, at the headquarters in West St Helen Street in 1986.

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She said the minibus would take the aged, infirm and children in and around the Abingdon area and would prove an invaluable asset.

She praised the generosity of people in Abingdon in raising £7,000 of the £8,000 cost of the vehicle. Donations were also made by Abingdon Lions Club and Abingdon Round Table.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.