HISTORY enthusiasts are celebrating hitting a landmark milestone in the chronicling of Abingdon’s past.

Members of Abingdon Architectural and Historical Society began working with the town council to set up a history section on the Abingdon internet portal in 2013.

It set up a sub-group – the Abingdon Buildings and People Group – which was given the task of preparing 30 articles about historical buildings and people from the town for the launch of the website in April of that year.

Two years since the first post about 3 The Square, in central Abingdon, members of the group are celebrating completing their 100th topic with a post on Abingdon’s boundaries.

Group convener Manfred Brod said the group of amateur history enthusiasts was very pleased to reach the 100th topic.

He added: “We went to the town council and said we really wanted to set up a website on the buildings and people of Abingdon’s history.

“The town council said we are setting up a new town portal and we have a history section, why don’t you take responsibility for that. That was quite a big deal for us.

“We have now reached 100 topics on the section, roughly half on historical buildings and the other half on people of importance in Abingdon’s history. We are rather pleased with this.

“It’s always nice when a group of amateurs who are mostly rather elderly can show professionals a thing or two.”

The website contains a range of articles on topics including Old Abbey House, The Unicorn Theatre, The Old Gaol, County Hall and the Guildhall.

Famous people of the town include former Archbishop of Canterbury and Abingdon Abbey monk Aelfric of Abingdon, James Bertie, 1st Earl of Abingdon, and Abingdon School headmaster James Macdonald Cobban.

The group hosted a reception to thank its members and the town council at the Long Gallery.

Mr Brod said: “It was a way of saying thank you for your trust and giving us this opportunity, as well as the researchers and those who supported the project.

“One of the things that is most pleasing is that this is bringing tourists into Abingdon.”

Town council leader Sandy Lovatt said: “We are very pleased to host it. It is part of the attraction of Abingdon, with the aim of bringing people to visit.”